Coyotes could be playing their home games at Arizona State University’s 5,000-seat arena for the next 3-4 years, and it’s not a good look

Well this certainly isn’t a good look for both the Arizona Coyotes franchise and the NHL for that matter.

According to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports: The Arizona Coyotes, who are being forced by the city of Glendale to move out of Gila River Arena by the end of the 2021/22 season, are reportedly in negotiations to make Arizona State University’s yet-to-be-built 5,000-seat arena in Tempe their new home stadium for the next 3-4 years.

If such a deal is completed, the Coyotes will have by far the lowest capacity of any team’s arena in the NHL. The next closest would be the Winnipeg Jets’ Canada Life Centre, which holds 15,294.

It’s not only a tough look for the league that has worked hard to expand their popularity in non-traditional United States markets, but the lack of seats would certainly make it hard for the already-struggling franchise to accumulate any substantial amount of revenue.

The league has yet to comment on the legitimacy of these rumours, but NHL deputy Commissioner did tell PHNX Sports in an email that the deal is at the very least under consideration.

“Depends on the totality of circumstances, but I wouldn’t rule it out.” said Daly about Arizona’s possible move to the 5000 capacity arena.

The NHLPA also chimed in about the situation.

“The Coyotes’ anticipated move in 2022-23 from Gila River Arena in Glendale to a temporary Arizona venue raises a number of matters that the league and the NHLPA will need to work through,” said the NHLPA in a statement.

“Ideally, these matters will be sorted out well in advance of next season.”

The Coyotes currently average the third lowest attendance in the league with just 11,575 fans in the seats at a home game.