The Phoenix Coyotes are fresh off winning their first-ever Pacific Division title and are preparing for the Stanley Cup playoffs to kick off this week. Throughout the year, the Coyotes front office insisted that the years-long attempts to find a new owner for the struggling franchise would not be a distraction on the ice and, to a certain extent, the 'Yotes have proven that with their blistering second-half play. Now, with the team set to embark on a quest to hoist the franchise's first Stanley Cup, it appears some hope for a new owner is on the horizon, as well.
According to Lisa Halverstadt of The Republic, there will be at least one deal up for public review in April. Any potential sale must come soon if the team hopes to remain in Arizona.
[Glendale City Manager Ed] Beasley said he's spent at least the past week working closely with a group led by former San Jose Sharks executive Greg Jamison, as well as another group he would not name.
"The good thing for us is we've got a few choices here," he said. "We're all working very diligently."
Beasley said all groups have expressed interest in purchasing the city-owned arena as part of a deal. There's been talk the Jamison group would also be interested in buying Westgate City Center, the restaurant and shopping complex that opened six years ago as part of the original arena deal.
According to the NHL, at least two other buyers are interested, although no details are currently available. All interested buyers are reportedly interested in keeping the team in Glendale.