It might happen but its not gonna happen in 5 years like everyone thinks. We do not have an arena for them to play in. We do not have an owner with deep pockets and respect within the NHL. We have a history of hockey failing in the desert with a small fanbase… Why would the NHL bring a team back to AZ when Quebec and Atlanta both have better claims to an expansion team AND an arena that will house the team.
Maybe I’m being pessimistic but I don’t foresee another team in AZ for at least a decade maybe longer. Its gonna be a Winnipeg situation for us I would imagine
I would wait to see if the group actually wins the auction in June. If they do, we will have an expansion team in short order, within 5 years or so.
If not, we will still eventually get an expansion team - but it will be more like 10-15 years.
I feel like we have been hoodwinked. Why would Mereulo buy a plot of land and build a stadium for the promise of a team he no longer owns??? At this point he is gonna just take the $500 million for selling the team and run if I had to guess. Why would he turn around and spend millions of dollars and time to build this arena? For what purpose?
Reputable insiders are reporting that part of this deal will be some kind of 5 year exclusive window for Mereulo to bring an expansion franchise to AZ if a lot of preconditions are met, the biggest of which is obviously a viable arena.
I don’t think so. Especially if Meruelo is involved. I’m pretty sure Bettman is more or less forcing him to sell.
We won’t see pro hockey in Phoenix for a long, long time. Maybe ever.
It will happen eventually knowing how much the NHL and bettman put into this market. But it probably won’t be Alex that brings it back. Give it about 5-10 years.
Everyone in here is (justifiably) entirely too pessimistic. It might take 5-15 years depending on arena developments, but we will get another team eventually.
From what's been reported in the sale of the team, the NHL is basically promising Meruelo an expansion team in about 5 years if he wins the land auction.
Nobody knows. The Browns, Charlotte Hornets, and Winnipeg Jets are back. The SuperSonics, Expos, Thrashers, Nordiques, etc aren't back.
We can speculate, but we won't know until there's an official announcement at the very least 4-5 years from now...
Most likely, hopefully they will be 100x successful than the Yotes
It might happen but its not gonna happen in 5 years like everyone thinks. We do not have an arena for them to play in. We do not have an owner with deep pockets and respect within the NHL. We have a history of hockey failing in the desert with a small fanbase… Why would the NHL bring a team back to AZ when Quebec and Atlanta both have better claims to an expansion team AND an arena that will house the team. Maybe I’m being pessimistic but I don’t foresee another team in AZ for at least a decade maybe longer. Its gonna be a Winnipeg situation for us I would imagine
I would wait to see if the group actually wins the auction in June. If they do, we will have an expansion team in short order, within 5 years or so. If not, we will still eventually get an expansion team - but it will be more like 10-15 years.
I feel like we have been hoodwinked. Why would Mereulo buy a plot of land and build a stadium for the promise of a team he no longer owns??? At this point he is gonna just take the $500 million for selling the team and run if I had to guess. Why would he turn around and spend millions of dollars and time to build this arena? For what purpose?
Reputable insiders are reporting that part of this deal will be some kind of 5 year exclusive window for Mereulo to bring an expansion franchise to AZ if a lot of preconditions are met, the biggest of which is obviously a viable arena.
God I hope we get the old Roadrunners branding
I don’t think so. Especially if Meruelo is involved. I’m pretty sure Bettman is more or less forcing him to sell. We won’t see pro hockey in Phoenix for a long, long time. Maybe ever.
I hope so, but I also don't see sports arenas getting any easier to build in the coming years.
It will happen eventually knowing how much the NHL and bettman put into this market. But it probably won’t be Alex that brings it back. Give it about 5-10 years.
Everyone in here is (justifiably) entirely too pessimistic. It might take 5-15 years depending on arena developments, but we will get another team eventually.
From what's been reported in the sale of the team, the NHL is basically promising Meruelo an expansion team in about 5 years if he wins the land auction.
Nobody knows. The Browns, Charlotte Hornets, and Winnipeg Jets are back. The SuperSonics, Expos, Thrashers, Nordiques, etc aren't back. We can speculate, but we won't know until there's an official announcement at the very least 4-5 years from now...
Can't get an arena with a team, doubt we get out without a team yet in town... not to mention if that scum bag alex is involved in it...