ARIZONA COYOTES

Arizona Coyotes co-owner: Lawsuit with Glendale was becoming too costly

Jul 24, 2015, 4:58 PM | Updated: 4:59 pm

LISTEN: Anthony LeBlanc, Coyotes CEO

Arizona Coyotes co-owner Anthony LeBlanc understands how it looks.

In June, when the Glendale City Council voted to void an agreement that would allow the Arizona Coyotes to play in Gila River Arena, he was not bashful in saying there was no way the franchise would renegotiate the deal.

Friday, the city approved a new lease settlement with the Coyotes, one that will keep them in town for at least the next two seasons.

So, why the change of heart?

NHL free agency happened.

“As I sat in the war room and heard some of the conversations he was having with agents, and hearing that there were players who didn’t want to come or look at the Coyotes because of the uncertainty with the city, it was a red flag,” LeBlanc told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday. “But the real, the big red flag, was when Mikkel Boedker said that he would only sign a one-year deal.

“We’re talking about a guy who’s been here for a couple years, great guy, great part of the organization, and when he said the uncertainty was enough that he wouldn’t sign for more than year, what happened was myself and three of my colleagues — George Gosbee, Gary Drummond and Craig Stewart were all in town for the prospect camp — and we all got together and said, ‘This has to stop.'”

LeBlanc said from a legal standpoint, it was understood within the organization that the Coyotes would have come out on top in the lawsuit, but ended up losing overall because of the negative impact it all had on the business.

The co-owner pointed to troubles in sponsorships and ticket sales as well as free agency. But once the new agreement was announced, he said, the team’s phones started ringing again.

“It put just a complete chill on our ticket sales,” he said. “We had sponsors saying, ‘Look, we love the idea of working with you, call us when this is all set and done.'”

So whether the Coyotes were right or wrong in terms of the legal dispute, it just got to a point where possibly winning there down the road was not worth the cost of losing everywhere else.

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

8 days ago

Arizona Coyotes co-owner: Lawsuit with Glendale was becoming too costly