Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton today is expected to announce that he "supports pursuing a deal" to build a downtown arena "that would be shared" by the Suns and the Coyotes, according to Gardiner & Harris of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Sources said that Stanton will "outline his vision for building a new taxpayer-funded arena" during his State of the City speech. The Coyotes are "looking to exit their tumultuous relationship with the neighboring suburb of Glendale." Meanwhile, the Suns "want a new home to replace the city-owned Talking Stick Resort Arena, among the oldest in the NBA." While the concept of a joint-use arena has "been debated for months, Stanton's declaration would be his first explicit statement pushing the NBA and NHL franchises to negotiate." However, many details, "including the cost, remain unclear." Sources said that the mayor's support will be "contingent on two guiding principles." The first is that the arena "bring more events and people downtown," and the second is that no taxes "be raised to support its construction." The concept of "another arena in the Valley is likely to draw strong opposition from groups opposed to taxpayer subsidies for major-league sports." Even without a tax increase, the city "would be required to hold an election to secure voter support." Suns Owner Robert Sarver said that he is "not opposed to anything in terms of sharing an arena." But he noted that the NBA team is in its current venue "for at least five more years." Coyotes President, CEO & co-Owner Anthony LeBlanc has been "vocal about the hockey team's sense of urgency in building a new facility." Sources said that while a joint-use arena with the Suns and Coyotes is Stanton's "first preference, other partnerships that bring more events to the arena are a possibility," including one with Arizona State (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/19).
