Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is setting his sights on an ambitious new venture: bringing professional hockey back to Arizona. This endeavor comes in the wake of the Arizona Coyotes' relocation to Salt Lake City following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. The Coyotes will be rebranded as the Utah Hockey Club, beginning their inaugural season under the new name in the 2025-26 season.
Mat Ishbia, a notable figure in the sports world, holds ownership of both the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. The Footprint Center, a premier venue in Phoenix, has recently been at the heart of significant events, having hosted the WNBA All-Star Game. Additionally, a state-of-the-art $100 million women's practice facility has been constructed behind the center, further bolstering its status as a key sports hub.
The Footprint Center also serves as the home court for the Phoenix Mercury, consolidating its role as a crucial site for sports in Arizona. Despite these recent developments, Ishbia's attention is now drawn to the former home of the Coyotes. The team, which played its home games at the modest 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State's campus in Tempe from 2022 to 2024, has left a void in the local sports landscape.
"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. His resolve to restore Arizona's status as a four-sport city is clear, reflecting a deep commitment to the community and its sports fans.
While Ishbia has expressed a keen interest in reinstating a hockey team in Arizona, the recent changes in the city's sports infrastructure have set the stage for future developments. The sale of the Coyotes by Alex Meruelo for a staggering $1.2 billion marks a significant financial transaction in the sports world, one that underscores the high stakes involved in professional sports franchises.
Considering the potential need for updated facilities, Ishbia is pragmatic about the future. "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 remarked, hinting at the possible long-term plans to enhance the sports infrastructure in Phoenix.
As the sports community in Phoenix looks to the future, the prospect of bringing back professional hockey generates excitement. Ishbia's vision and investment in the city's sports culture could pave the way for a new era. Whether through improved facilities or bringing back a cherished team, his ambitions might well transform the landscape of professional sports in Arizona.
The coming years will reveal how these plans materialize, with Ishbia playing a central role in shaping the future of sports in the region. His dedication to both basketball and potentially hockey underscores a broader commitment to fostering a thriving sports environment in Phoenix, reinforcing the city's reputation as a vibrant, multi-sport metropolis.