Dogged in the Desert...Coyotes Saga Continues

The Phoenix Coyotes looked like they were about to have a new owner. They don't. Stop me when this sounds familiar. After yet another bid fell through last week to buy the struggling franchise it looks even more bleak for their future, if that's possible. Many feel that the move out of the city of Phoenix out to Glendale has hurt ticket sales but the fact remains this just isn't a solid hockey market. Sorry but it's true. If it were they wouldn't have these issues. This isn't to say there aren't some loyal fans, clearly they wouldn't have lasted this long otherwise, but the reality is this 'non-traditional' hockey market is drying up faster than the desert surrounding it and a change needs to be made. STAT.

I understand why the league is reluctant to pick up and move a franchise that's been there since the late 90's but this is really more a matter of Gary Bettman's pride and him not wanting to admit he's made a mistake rather then see the team relocate. While it's true Bettman has worked hard to keep small market franchises in locations in Canada as well as the US, none have suffered the tens of millions of dollars of losses, annually, that the Coyotes have. There is absolutely no reason to keep them there in a business sense.

Coyotes captain Shane Doan has advocated that the team stay and has voiced his concerns not only for the players but what it would mean for the people who work for the franchise as well if they pull the plug. They have families and roots and it would be very difficult. In this way he has shown the character and leadership that has made him such a great captain. But I'm sorry to say it Shane, it shouldn't matter, in a business sense. I agree that it's unfortunate for the fans and the families of those who would see the team leave but the fact is this is a business and for business reasons a change needs to be made. If someone owned a restaurant how long would you expect them to stick it out losing money? They wouldn't and they would move on. It's an unfortunate reality of today's economy and the league needs to do the same. They just fought for a new CBA to split up billions in revenue, think how much higher that would be if they moved or dare I say, contracted, several of these lame duck franchises? Gary was the one who helped push the league into America and America has clearly shown that, in parts, they don't really care about the game. This is not to say there aren't great hockey markets in the US, obviously, but Phoenix isn't one of them. In what world would the league be worse off if the team moved to Quebec City or southern Ontario? Imagine putting a team where people ACTUALLY want hockey!! Seriously. And think about what trimming a few teams would do for the overall talent in the league. So for the sake of the game and it's fans, put aside your pride Gary and do what's best for the league as you've all made it abundantly clear this is a business.