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Report: Coyotes players upset with ‘even worse’ conditions at new ASU arena
Feb 19, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; A general view of the Arizona Coyotes arena before a game against the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena. Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Coyotes players upset with 'even worse' conditions than expected at new ASU arena

In February, the Arizona Coyotes announced that starting with the 2022-2023 season, they'd be playing home games at the new multi-purpose Mullett Arena at Arizona State University. 

After narrowly avoiding eviction from their former home, now called the Desert Diamond Arena, the Coyotes decided to downsize and move into ASU's new 5,000-seat arena.

Several NHL executives called the move "embarrassing" for the league at the time. However, since the announcement, season-ticket revenue is up 50 percent, and the Coyotes expect to sell out all 41 home games this season. 

While Arizona's decision to move may be paying off financially, it's already reportedly causing issues among Coyotes' players. 

On Tuesday's Real Kyper and Bourne podcast, former player and current NHL insider Nick Kypreos revealed some unsettling news coming out of the Coyotes' camp regarding the conditions at Mullett Arena. 

"There's some real rumblings about boys not being very happy down there," Kypreos said. "Like, really upsetting. Even worse [than expected]." 

The Coyotes contributed $19.7 million to help fund Mullett Arena, signing an agreement to stay through the 2024-2025 season, with an option for 2025-2026.

Earlier this year, the Coyotes proposed a $1.7 billion arena in Tempe, Arizona, which they hope to build by the time their agreement is up at ASU. 

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