Coyotes clap back at City of Phoenix by filing massive lawsuit
PUBLICATION
TJ Tucker
April 5, 2023 (5:27 PM)
The Arizona Coyotes are biting back against the City of Phoenix in what seems to be shaping into a bitter battle. It was just a little over a week ago when Phoenix said it was suing the City of Tempe over its proposal for a new development that would include the Coyotes' new home arena. Phoenix said the two cities agreed in the 90s not to build any residential units within a 1.9-square-kilometre radius of Sky Harbor International Airport, due to the high volume of noise.
Now, Tempe, the Arizona Coyotes, and its development arm, Bluebird Development, have filed a countersuit asking for billions of dollars, claiming Phoenix broke its word not to interfere with the development.
"The Arizona Coyotes and its development arm, Bluebird Development, have had enough of Phoenix's bullying bureaucrats. And now the City of Phoenix is facing a $2.3 billion claim after it broke its word and decided to undermine a plan to convert a hazardous unlined Tempe-owned landfill into a new sports and entertainment district next to Tempe Town Lake."
Tempe claims in the documents that its entire decision to go ahead with the new arena was based on the knowledge that Phoenix would not interfere in the development.
"In addition to this claim, the Coyotes and Bluebird will continue to investigate Phoenix and Sky Harbor's use of taxpayer's dollars to interfere with a neighboring city's election."
Residents of Tempe are set to decide whether the arena development - which includes retail stores, restaurants and apartments - can go ahead. A vote is scheduled to be held in May. In the meantime, the Coyotes continue to play at Mullet Arena, a 5,000 seat arena in Tempe used by the Arizona Sun Devils' college team. The Coyotes were evicted from Gila River Arena in Glendale after the 2022-22 in a dispute over taxes and unpaid rink charges.
POLL |
How do you think this dispute will end? |
With the Coyotes playing in Tempe | 14 | 14.1 % |
With the Coyotes staying at Mullet Arena | 7 | 7.1 % |
With the team moving to another city | 60 | 60.6 % |
Not sure | 18 | 18.2 % |
List of polls |
|
17 minutes ago | By Julien Trekker Utah Hockey Club Acquire Defenseman in Trade with Detroit Red Wings |
|
1 hour ago | By Tom Banks Los Angeles Kings Star Benched at the Last Minute For Breaking Major Team Rule |
|
11 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Sports Doctor Offers Major Insight on Connor McDavid's Injury; It Could Have Been Much Worse |
|
14 hours ago | By Tom Banks The Athletic's James Mirtle Suggests Islanders Veteran Center as the Perfect Fit for the Maple Leafs |
|
15 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Edmonton Oilers Make Two Urgent Call-Ups To Deal With Connor McDavid's Absence |
|
17 hours ago | By Tom Banks Insider Frank Seravalli Reveals How Many Games Connor McDavid Could Potentially Miss After Sustaining Injury |
|
18 hours ago | By Tom Banks Billionaire Luc Poirier Reveals Concrete Offer To Revive The Quebec Nordiques Was Refused By The NHL |
|
19 hours ago | By Tom Banks Tampa Bay Lightning Abruptly Terminate Contract of 22-Year-Old Former WHL Standout |
Previously on Bladeofsteel