Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, is setting his sights on a new ambition: bringing hockey back to the desert. Despite the recent relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City following the 2023-24 season, Ishbia remains optimistic about the future of hockey in Arizona.
New Beginnings for the Coyotes
The relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City will pave the way for the Utah Hockey Club to kick off its inaugural season in 2025-26. This move comes after the Coyotes played their home games from 2022 to 2024 at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State's campus in Tempe. Former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo sold the team for a staggering $1.2 billion, setting the stage for this significant transition in the world of professional hockey.
A Vision for Arizona Hockey
Despite the disappointment of losing the Coyotes, Ishbia remains committed to reintegrating hockey into Arizona's sports culture. "I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that. 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," Ishbia shared with Sportico.
Commitment to Sports Excellence
The Footprint Center, home to the Phoenix Mercury, has recently seen substantial investments, underscoring Ishbia’s commitment to fostering a vibrant sports environment in Arizona. The arena recently hosted the WNBA All-Star Game, showcasing its capability to attract major sporting events. Additionally, a $100 million women's practice facility was constructed behind the Footprint Center, further cementing the area's reputation as a hub for professional sports.
The Future of the Footprint Center
While Ishbia expresses satisfaction with the current state of the Footprint Center, he acknowledges that future upgrades may be necessary to maintain its first-class status. "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," Ishbia remarked, hinting at potential developments down the road.
As the landscape of professional sports in Arizona evolves, Ishbia’s vision and dedication to the community stand out. With a focus on bringing back hockey and continuing to support existing teams like the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Ishbia is committed to cementing Arizona's reputation as a thriving sports destination. The state's sports fans can look forward to exciting prospects and further developments as Ishbia works towards realizing his ambitious goals.