Paul Giblin

The Republic | azcentral.com

The Coyotes' presumed arena partners remain mum about the team's latest announcement

Details about cost, site and a potential agreement between the Suns and Coyotes remain unclear

LeBlanc before has pledged forthcoming details about arena plans

Arizona Coyotes President Anthony LeBlanc said Monday that team officials expect to announce plans regarding a new arena in metropolitan Phoenix in a "couple of weeks."

LeBlanc briefly addressed the team's quest for a new arena during a press conference otherwise devoted to the dismissal of General Manager Don Maloney.

LeBlanc said, "We feel — and I know people feel I'm kind of nuts on this one — but the reality is that we do anticipate that there will be an announcement on this front in the next couple of weeks."

According to LeBlanc, behind-the-scenes activity regarding an arena picked up since NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in Arizona two weeks ago.

"We toured a number of facilities and had a number of meetings. It's fair to say that we outlined to the groups that we've been having discussions with that time is of the essence and that there is a time frame that must be adhered to," LeBlanc said.

"Everybody that we have met with, be it the city of Phoenix, Arizona State (University) or other organizations, have understood that and there's been a tremendous amount of activity over the past two weeks since the commissioner's visit, including this weekend."

The Coyotes' presumed partners have provided limited public support for the arena concept.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton declined comment through a spokesman Monday.

ASU spokesman Mark Johnson said in an email Monday there is nothing new to report.

"We are exploring arena options and are encouraged that there are a number of good ones to pursue. We have been studying some of the options, but we aren’t yet in a position to discuss specifics," he said.

LeBlanc has made similar pre-announcements about arena plans in the past.

In February, he said discussions concerning an arena had turned "relatively serious" during the previous few weeks. "I'm very positive that we'll have something out in the community, if not in the next month or two, certainly by the end of the regular season," he said.

The season ended Saturday.

In December, Stanton said Phoenix officials were researching the concept of a joint-use arena to be used by both the Phoenix Suns and the Coyotes. Among the questions that needed to be resolved:

Can the Suns and Coyotes reach an agreement to split costs and revenues of a new arena?

How much would an arena cost? The Milwaukee Bucks' planned new arena is $500 million.

How much would be privately funded? How much would be publicly funded? Would the public-funding source be municipal, state or some combination?

Can voters be sold on the idea of picking up any portion of the bill?

Where would an arena be built?

What would happen to Talking Stick Resort Arena where the Suns play and Gila River Arena where the Coyotes play?

LeBlanc has repeatedly said the Coyotes intend to leave Gila River Arena, the Glendale facility that was built for the NHL team, but where the Coyotes have struggled to draw crowds.

Glendale announced on Feb. 3 that it selected AEG Facilities to run the city-owned arena. The Coyotes currently manage the venue, but last year the city voided a long-term contract with the team.

City officials and AEG executives are negotiating a management contract. Details are expected to be outlined at a City Council meeting sometime in the coming weeks.

Last week, AEG Facilities Chief Operating Officer Charles Steedman said company executives prefer to have the Coyotes remain at the venue, but AEG officials have yet to reach out to the team because the management company has not yet signed a deal with the city.