Coyotes Rumors: Franchise Leaving Arizona After Residents Vote 'No' to New Arena

The residents of Tempe, Arizona voted on Tuesday (May 16) night regarding the building of a new arena for the Arizona Coyotes, and the majority of voters decided to vote 'no' to the idea.

The franchise is now in serious limbo and could be leaving town. The vote on Tuesday was for a $2.1 billion entertainment district which would have included the NHL arena and now the tam is left with nothing.

“We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303. As Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said, it was the best sports deal in Arizona history. The Coyotes wish to thank everyone who supported our efforts and voted yes."

Full statement here:…
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) May 17, 2023

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke after receiving the terrible news for the Coyotes franchise:

The National Hockey League is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referenda regarding the Coyotes' arena project in Tempe. We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward.

As per the report:

Tempe City Council voted unanimously in favor of the project back in November, but a vote from the residents was required to seal the deal.The results of the vote could spell the beginning of the end for the NHL team in the desert. The Coyotes have two seasons remaining on their agreement to play at Mullett Arena, a 4,600-seat rink in Tempe on the campus of Arizona State University. After that, the Coyotes will again be without a home. Mullett Arena is already the Coyotes' third arena since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg in 1996. The club first played out of America West Arena in downtown Phoenix before moving to Glendale's Gila River Arena in 2003, then to Mullett Arena last season.

The proposed Tempe Entertainment District would've included a 16,000-seat rink for the Coyotes, a 3,000-seat music venue, and a 19,000-unit residential complex, plus restaurants, hotels, and luxury retail shops.

Where do the Coyotes end up? Houston? Quebec? Halifax? Atlanta? Sacramento?