Back in 2013 we knew the Arizona Coyotes were close to being moved to Seattle. What we didn't know was just how close and prepared other parties were to making that happen.
The Coyotes were hours away from moving to Seattle
The summer of 2013 saw the Coyotes saved and kept in Arizona, but they were a vote away from being shipped to the Pacific Northwest.
Christian Petersen
While the Glendale City Council voted 4-3 in favor of the arena lease agreement with IceArizona, had the vote gone the other way, buyers from Seattle were ready to purchase and move the team the next day, according to Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times.
Three sources with knowledge of negotiations confirm the Coyotes would have been bought by New York investment banker Ray Bartoszek and his partner Anthony Lanza and moved to Seattle as soon as the following day — playing up to three seasons at KeyArena — had the vote not passed.
Bartoszek and Lanza were names that came up in advance of the vote in Glendale and it’s known there were plans to have the team play in Key Arena. What wasn’t known was the blessing the plan was given by the NHLPA.
Baker cites a Forbes story claiming a NHLPA memo dated June 27, 2013, gave the details of how relocation of the team was to proceed and that while many cities were up for discussion, the final destination would be Seattle.
Two sources with first-hand knowledge have confirmed New York investor Bartoszek had moving trucks on standby to relocate the team to Seattle. They say a Seattle financing specialist had helped Bartoszek line up local investors to own a small piece of the franchise.
Memories of seeing the Baltimore Colts moved in the dark of night for Indianapolis come to mind with this kind of description. Fortunately for hockey fans in the desert, this never came to be, thanks to the Glendale City Council vote.
For former Seattle mayor Mike McGinn, it’s a disappointment, but all of this information has come to light due to an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General as to whether or not a meeting held by a handful of City Council members violated a state Open Meetings Law. If they are found guilty, it won’t undo their vote or tear up the lease agreement, so Seattle won’t have to wait to see how things turn out there.
Instead, Seattle, like Winnipeg in 2010, will wonder what would’ve been had the vote gone their way. Like Winnipeg, Seattle will need continued patience if it’s going to land a NHL team.
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