Mat Ishbia Eyes Bringing Hockey Back to Arizona
Mat Ishbia, the dynamic owner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, is not just stopping at basketball in his quest to enrich Arizona’s sporting landscape. With the impending departure of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City after the 2023-24 season, Ishbia has expressed a keen interest in reviving professional hockey in the state.
"I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that," Ishbia told Sportico. "It's definitely something I'm interested in. It's a four-sport town. I'm disappointed we don't have a hockey team, but I understand what happened, and we're going to try to fix that one day."
The Coyotes’ move marks the end of an era, with the team set to become the Utah Hockey Club starting in the 2025-26 season. This transition is part of a broader restructuring that saw Alex Meruelo sell the franchise for a whopping $1.2 billion. The Coyotes have faced numerous challenges in recent years, including playing their home games from 2022 to 2024 at the relatively modest 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus.
Despite the setback of losing the Coyotes, Ishbia's comments suggest a proactive approach to ensuring Arizona remains a pivotal market in professional sports. Ishbia's ownership has already brought notable developments to the state's sports infrastructure, such as the construction of a $100 million women’s practice facility behind the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury. Additionally, the Footprint Center recently garnered national attention by hosting the WNBA All-Star Game, showcasing Ishbia's commitment to elevating the profile of women’s sports in the region.
Ishbia further demonstrated his long-term vision and dedication to Arizona sports in his remarks about the Footprint Center. "I think our arena is first-class right now. I love our arena. But at some point we're going to have to get a new arena," he admitted. This acknowledgment of future needs underscores Ishbia's forward-thinking approach in fostering a top-tier sports environment.
For Arizona sports fans, the potential return of an NHL team represents more than just games on ice; it is a reestablishment of a vibrant community cornerstone. Ishbia’s passion for the state and his willingness to explore options for bringing back hockey shines a beacon of hope for fans who have seen their home team skate away.
If there is anyone capable of orchestrating such a resurgence, it’s Ishbia. His track record with the Suns and Mercury has been marked by strategic investments and a focus on enhancing the fan experience. The loss of the Coyotes to Salt Lake City is undoubtedly a significant change, but Ishbia’s vision for the future provides a potential pathway for revival.
As the dust settles on the Coyotes' departure, the Arizona sports community will be watching closely to see how Ishbia's ambitions take shape. His commitment to the state's sports future, coupled with his proactive engagement in community-building initiatives, paves the way for a promising horizon, potentially brightened by the return of professional hockey to Arizona.