Arizona Coyotes Hilarious Restrictions at ASU Arena Announced
In an article for theathletic.com, authors Sean Shapiro and Katie Strang detailed some limitations the deal that was signed by ASU and the Arizona Coyotes contained.
The NHL team is scheduled to play at the new ASU multi-purpose arena for the next three seasons, with an option for another season if needed.
Perhaps the most shocking restriction was that the NHL team will NOT be allowed to change the center ice logo from that of the ASU hockey team to the Coyotes logo.
Per the article:
According to the document, if the Coyotes or owner Alex Meruelo become the subject of adverse publicity, contempt, scandal or ridicule for violating "widely held principles of public morality, failing to conduct its business affairs with a high degree of integrity and honesty and/or failing to act as a good corporate citizen," Arizona State can get out of its deal with the Coyotes.
This includes media coverage of Meruelo and the Coyotes business practices, according to the document, and ASU can cancel the Coyotes tenancy if coverage is proven true and has damaged or could damage ASU's reputation.
The university felt it needed an out if things like back rent, players being drafted with less than ethical behavior or other such occurrences take place, they can renege on the arena deal.
All advertising done by the Coyotes in the arena must be of the temporary nature. Here's a list of conditions below.
1) Any alcohol or beer advertisements must be approved by Arizona State.
2) Arizona State maintains the right to object to any advertisement that is «not in good taste or is otherwise not in compliance» with ASU's rules.
3) Arizona State will receive the revenue from naming rights for the arena.
4) The Coyotes will not be permitted to sell any temporary advertising that is a competitor or in the same category as whomever ASU sells naming rights to.
5) In-ice advertising will be a revenue source for Arizona State, and the Coyotes aren't allowed to modify the look of the ice surface � including the Arizona State logo at center ice � on broadcasts to protect ASU's permanent advertisers in the building. It is noted that this doesn't and shouldn't impact opposing broadcasts filming at ASU.
The other important factor is that the team will not be able to conduct sports gambling operations inside or within a half-mile radius of the university. With owner Meruelo, who owns a casino in Las Vegas depending on some hefty revenue from sports gambling, it's a mystery how he won't lose his shirt on the ASU arena deal.
To this writer, who has followed the team since its move to Arizona in 1996, this seems to be really bush league. If I go to an NHL game why would I want to see any other logo at center ice but the NHL team's logo?
It really enhances the already popular opinion of why is the NHL going along with this for three, or perhaps four years?
The Coyotes boxed themselves into a corner by even building an arena in Glendale, AZ when the bulk of their fanbase lives in the east valley area. Granted they got a smoking deal from Glendale, but the relationship between the city and the hockey team was never ideal.
With the above restrictions in place for using the ASU arena, what are the odds that something will arise which allows the university to back out of the deal?
Then, the Coyotes would be homeless again, even if the city of Tempe approves their arena project.
Seems then, the NHL would be pressured into moving the troubled franchise. To the many fans of the Coyotes, this has to be frustrating, to say the least.
| POLL | ||
Would you watch the Arizona coyotes in their 5,000 capacity arena? | ||
| No, that�s a joke! | 185 | 66.5 % |
| Why not? | 93 | 33.5 % |
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