The City of Glendale, Ariz., took the management of Gila River Arena away from the Arizona Coyotes and approved a new five-year contract to Los Angeles-based AEG Facilities Tuesday night.
AEG runs a handful of major sports venues, such as Staples Center in L.A., Oracle Arena in Oakland and AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The shift in arena management, many speculate, could push the Coyotes to move out of Glendale and look for another home in the Phoenix area.
“AEG is a company we know well and are in fact partners in the National Hockey League. We look forward to working with them, and will now await official notice from the City of their plans to transfer management of the arena,” Coyotes president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc said via statement.
“At that point, we will begin the 90 days (or less) transfer process. The Coyotes are committed to playing the 2016-17 NHL regular season at Gila River Arena and remain focused on securing a long-term arena solution in the Valley that is based upon a true partnership.”
AEG COO Chuck Steedman told the Phoenix Business Journal that he hopes to recruit more concerts and other events to the arena.
