Tempe voters reject Arizona Coyotes’ $2.1 billion deal to build a new arena complex

© Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes will not be getting a new arena complex in Tempe after voters rejected three propositions to build the complex tonight, leaving the team’s future in Arizona bleak. 

NEWS: Voters in Tempe have rejected all three measures for the Arizona Coyotes’ $2.1 billion arena project, per unofficial results.

The team’s future in Arizona is in jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/2J7yd6xTAW

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 17, 2023

Around 30,000 Tempe residents voted against Prop 301, Prop 302 and Prop 303, all of which were the steps in building the $2.1 billion complex. It would have been located near Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway.

“We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303. As Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said, it was the best sports deal in Arizona history. The Coyotes wish to thank everyone who supported our efforts and voted yes."

Full statement here:…

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) May 17, 2023

The $2.1 billion plan included a 16,000-seat arena, practice rink, 300,00 square feet of retail space, 1,600 apartments, a theater and two hotels.

Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the US and became a four sport city in 1998. It appears that its 25 year run will be coming to an end at the hands of Tempe voters.

— PHX Fans (@PHXFansApp) May 17, 2023

Arizona Coyotes President and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez released the following statement on the failed propositions:

“We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303. As Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said, it was the best sports deal in Arizona history. The Coyotes wish to thank everyone who supported our efforts and voted yes. So many community leaders stepped up and became our advocates and for that we are truly grateful. We also wish to thank the countless volunteers who worked so hard to try and make the Tempe Entertainment District a reality and the Tempe City Council for their support as well. 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.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement:

“The National Hockey League is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referenda regarding the Coyotes’ arena project in Tempe. We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward.”

Coyotes’ star RW Clayton Keller was disappointed in the result. 

😔

— Clayton Keller (@ClaytonKeller37) May 17, 2023

The Coyotes still have a deal to play at Arizona State’s Mullet Arena for two more years and an option for 2025-26.

What’s next for the Coyotes is unclear, but their future in Arizona is certainly in danger.

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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @Brendan_Mau