Alex Meruelo sucks and seems hellbent on taking a proverbial dump on the Arizona Coyotes franchise. That is the only takeaway after announcing his team will move to a 5,000-seat, multi-purpose arena on the campus of Arizona State. Seriously, he refuses to pay fees to use the perfectly acceptable Gila River Arena for this. What are we doing here?
I’m not a fan, but I do have a soft spot for the Coyotes. I’ve been to a game at Gila River Arena and have fond memories of watching them over the years. Their advertisements featuring Pierre the Fanatic Hockey Snowman are legendary. Everyone loves the peyote coyote.
Unfortunately, Alex Meruelo owns Arizona Coyotes, and he is just the worse. Dude’s entire business strategy is not paying people for services rendered. He did it to Gila River Arena. He did it to the SLS hotel brand which lends it license to a resort under his control. He hasn’t even paid players on time. Come on, guy What are we doing here?
Katie Strang over at The Athletic also detailed the toxic environment Alex Meruelo established throughout the entire Arizona Coyotes organization. This included freaking out on employees when they didn’t call him mister.
Related: Gila River Arena Review – It’s actually okay
Instead of worrying about that, why not focus on building a winner or at least paying people on time and without forcing them to sue you to recoup money? Meruelo burned his bridges with a proper facility which isn’t that bad all things consider. He bitches about the location, but filling the venue hasn’t been an issue when the Coyotes are good.
However, when you are overseeing a dumpster fire of a hockey team, fans probably aren’t going to attend games regardless of if they are in Glendale, Tempe, Yuma or the bottom of the Barringer Meteor Crater.
Alex Meruelo shouldn’t own the Arizona Coyotes
Meruelo makes John Spano seem like an upstanding, financially secure owner. Gary Bettman letting this loser play the next three seasons being the fifth most important tenant in a college facility is ridiculous.
I’m sure free agents are going to be champing at the bit to sign for an organization whose locker rooms are some portable trailers and are behind the ASU gymnastics team when it comes to venue booking time.
Alex Meruelo, stop ruining the Arizona Coyotes and sell the team already. What are we doing here? You are clearly broke and a joke. Just go away.
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