Patrick Mahomes sends NHL Twitter into a frenzy after suggesting the Coyotes move to Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes caused a stir this past Wednesday when he suggested the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL relocate to the “City of Fountains.”
“KC coyotes has a nice ring to it! @NHL what y’all think? @tmobilecenter,” Mahomes tweeted.
Mahomes’ tweet came one day after the city of Tempe rejected the Coyotes proposal of a $2.1 billion entertainment district which would have included a new arena.
His suggestion for the Coyotes to head to the midwest was met with some harsh responses from those in Arizona, especially from Makayla Perkins, director of social media for PHNX Sports. Perkins took aim at Mahomes’ brother, Jackson, who was arrested earlier this month on sexual battery charges.
“Maybe you should focus on keeping your little brother out of jail and less on our NHL team,” Perkins tweeted.
Mahomes failed to fire back at Perkins’ zinger — probably for the best.
The Coyotes, meanwhile, are coming off a season in which they played their home games inside the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University. The franchise sought to build a 16,000-seat arena and an entertainment district on city-owned land at Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive, at the west end of Tempe Town Lake, per ESPN. The city of Tempe rejected the franchise’s proposal of the $2.1 billion entertainment district.
Private funding would have covered $1.9 billion of the estimated $2.1 billion cost. It would have included two hotels, a 3,500-person theater and up to 1,995 residential units. All for naught in the end, leaving the Coyotes’ future in the desert in doubt.
What’s next for Coyotes after Tempe proposal falls through?
Bettman expressed his disappointment with the vote in a statement.
“We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward,” Bettman said.
Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez said the team will play the 2023-24 season at Mullett Arena.
“We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303,” Gutierrez said in a statement. While we wanted a different outcome, we remain grateful to all those who volunteered their time and talent. What is next for the franchise will be evaluated by our owners and the National Hockey League over the coming weeks.”
Along with Kansas City, Houston and Québec City have been discussed as possible relocations options should the Coyotes fail to come up with a solution in Arizona. Another contender has emerged, however, as Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday he would love to bring the NHL back to Hartford, and has discussed the possibility with Bettman.
“This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont said, via the Associated Press. “It’s evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years — still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here. And a government that’s ready to come and be their partner.”
Connecticut has been out of the NHL since the Hartford Whalers left for Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1997. The Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes after the relocation. The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA remain the lone professional sports franchise in the state. The Sun play in a 10,000-seat venue not built for hockey.