Arizona Hockey Holdings Vice Chair Brad Goldberg, the spokesperson for prospective Coyotes Owner Matthew Hulsizer's group, said that discussions with the NHL and the City of Glendale are "ongoing as multiple proposals have gone back and forth," according to Lisa Halverstadt of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Goldberg confirmed that Hulsizer's group "has maintained $100 million for a transaction but would not detail specific discussions." Glendale leaders "have alluded to the possibility of buyers beyond Hulsizer, but they're mum on details." Glendale Assistant Deputy City Manager Julie Frisoni said that "any proposals were being vetted by the NHL, the owner of the team, but that Glendale officials remained 'engaged' and were eager for a finalized deal" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 6/15). Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Cecilia Chan noted Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs is "not happy with how the media and others have portrayed the city's efforts to keep" the Coyotes. Scruggs last week said that the $50M the city has pledged to the NHL the last two years is "being mischaracterized as 'Glendale paying for hockey team losses.'" Scruggs said that the money is "for the NHL, which owns the Coyotes, to manage and operate the city-owned Jobing.com Arena." Scruggs added that the portrayal has "led to 'diminished' support and understanding from residents" (AZCENTRAL.com, 6/10).
SWEET MUSIC: Predators President & COO Sean Henry said that the team, which won its first playoff series in franchise history this season, "will enjoy their highest season-ticket renewal rate in the organization's history." Henry: "It's just an incredible relationship that this franchise has with the fans right now." In Nashville, Josh Cooper reports the Predators will "unveil new uniforms this summer" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/15).
