Coyotes' future in Arizona in jeopardy after arena vote fails

The future of the Arizona Coyotes is in serious jeopardy on Tuesday night after a public vote on a new arena project in Tempe, Arizona, failed. 

The Coyotes were counting on getting the results to go forward with a new arena that would help secure the team's long-term future in the desert. 

But after it became obvious that they were going to fall short on Tuesday night, both the Coyotes and NHL issued ominous statements on what comes next.

"The National Hockey League is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referenda regarding the Coyotes' arena project in Tempe," said commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement released by the league. "We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward."

The Coyotes added their own statement:

"We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303. As Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said, it was the best sports deal in Arizona history. The Coyotes wish to thank everyone who supported our efforts and voted yes."

Ownership and arena drama has been a constant for the Coyotes for much of their existence in Arizona, and it seems they have finally reached a tipping point that could result in the organization relocating. The Coyotes spent the 2022-23 season playing in a 5,000-seat arena that they shared with Arizona State University. The plan was for the Coyotes to play there for several seasons until a new arena could be constructed in Tempe. But with that proposition failing, it seems entirely possible that the Coyotes could eventually be on the move. 

The Coyotes have played in Arizona since the 1996-97 when the original Winnipeg Jets franchise relocated there.

If relocation is on the table again, Houston and Quebec City would almost certainly be at the top of the list. 

The NHL has not had a team relocate since the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg (to become the second version of the Winnipeg Jets) for the start of the 2011-12 season.