On November 3rd, 2020, Arizona voters rejected a proposed new arena for the Arizona Coyotes. The proposal, which was put forward by the Coyotes’ ownership group, would have seen the team move from its current home at Gila River Arena in Glendale to a new arena in Tempe. The proposed arena would have been funded by a combination of public and private funds, with the Coyotes’ ownership group contributing $400 million towards the project.
The proposal was met with strong opposition from many Arizona residents. Opponents argued that the arena would be too expensive for taxpayers and that it would be a misuse of public funds. They also argued that the Coyotes’ ownership group should be responsible for funding the entire project, rather than relying on public funds.
The Coyotes’ ownership group argued that the new arena would be an economic boon for the state of Arizona, creating jobs and generating revenue for the local economy. They also argued that the arena would be a great asset to the community, providing a venue for concerts, conventions, and other events.
In the end, Arizona voters rejected the proposal by a wide margin. This is a major setback for the Coyotes’ ownership group, who had hoped to move the team to a new arena in Tempe. The Coyotes will now have to look for other options to remain in Arizona, such as renovating Gila River Arena or finding a new home in another city.
The rejection of the proposed new arena is a reminder that taxpayers are increasingly unwilling to foot the bill for sports stadiums and arenas. With many cities facing budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that taxpayers will continue to reject proposals for publicly funded arenas and stadiums in the future.
