While the Phoenix Coyotes sale to Greg Jamison is still a work in progress, and while the NHL expects the situation to play out positively for hockey fans in Arizona, no guarantees are being made about their future in the desert. Gary Bettman discussed the situation with reporters in Newark on Wednesday.
Phoenix Coyotes Sale: NHL Optimistic About Greg Jamison Purchase
“I spoke to Greg Jamison early [Wednesday],” Bettman said. “He continues to do the two things he needs to do to secure the future of the Coyotes where they are in Arizona: One, working to conclude a set of documents with the City of Glendale on the building management situation. And he continues to put his equity together.
“The City of Glendale I believe next week is supposed to vote on the management agreement. Once that’s in place, I think Greg will be able to conclude hopefully the finalization of his equity raise.”
There are still a lot of moving parts here. That’s perhaps why Bettman couldn’t guarantee that the Coyotes would be in Glendale, Ariz., next season when pressed on the question by a reporter.
“I can’t say anything with 100 percent certainty,” he said. “I think the likelihood is, based on everything we know today, the process should conclude successfully, but it’s not something I’m in a position to guarantee. We haven’t worked on a Plan B for Phoenix. Our hope and expectation, going back to the earlier question, is this will get done. If it doesn’t, we’ll have to deal with it at the time. But it’s not anything we’re focused on at this time.”
For more on the sale situation in Phoenix, check in with SB Nation Arizona and Coyotes blog Five For Howling.
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