Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, is setting his sights on bringing professional hockey back to Arizona. With the Arizona Coyotes set to relocate to Salt Lake City following the 2023-24 campaign, Ishbia's ambitious vision could be the spark needed to rejuvenate the sport in the region.
Hockey's New Horizon in Salt Lake City
The Arizona Coyotes, who played their home games at the modest 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State University's campus in Tempe from 2022 to 2024, are preparing for their transition to Salt Lake City. The team, which has been rebranded as the Utah Hockey Club, will begin its inaugural season under the new name in the 2025-26 season. This move comes after owner Alex Meruelo sold the Coyotes for a hefty $1.2 billion.
Ishbia's Vision for Arizona Hockey
Despite the Coyotes' departure, Ishbia remains hopeful about the future of hockey in Arizona. "I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that. It's definitely something I'm interested in. It's a four-sport town. I'm disappointed we don't have a hockey team, but I understand what happened, and we're going to try to fix that one day," Ishbia told Sportico.
Commitment to Phoenix Sports
Ishbia's commitment to Phoenix is evident not only in his interest in resurrecting hockey but also in his investments in the city's existing sports infrastructure. The Footprint Center, home to the Phoenix Mercury, recently hosted the WNBA All-Star Game. Additionally, a new $100 million women's practice facility was built behind the Footprint Center, underscoring Ishbia's dedication to providing top-notch facilities for his teams.
Ishbia's passion for sports and the community shines through in his statements and actions. "I think our arena is first-class right now. I love our arena. But at some point, we're going to have to get a new arena," he noted, hinting at future plans to further improve Phoenix's sports venues.
A City Ready for a New Chapter
As Phoenix braces for the departure of the Coyotes, the city's sports landscape remains dynamic and full of potential. Ishbia's ambitions, along with his track record of investment and improvement, suggest that the loss of one team could pave the way for new opportunities in the Valley of the Sun.
Hockey enthusiasts in the region can take heart in Ishbia's determination to bring the sport back to Arizona. While the Utah Hockey Club prepares for its future in Salt Lake City, Phoenix's sports community eagerly anticipates what Ishbia's bold vision could bring to the city.