The Arizona Coyotes may find themselves barred from their own building if they fail to settle their debts with the city of Glendale.
Last Friday, the Arizona Department of Revenue filed a tax lien notice in Maricopa County against IceArizona Hockey LLC - which owns the NHL club - stating the team owes $1.3 million in state and city taxes, The Athletic's Katie Strang reports.
If the Coyotes fail to settle their debt by Dec. 20, the city has told ASM - the company that manages Gila River Arena - not to let team employees or arena vendors into the facility.
A letter from city manager Kevin Phelps to Gutierrez said the team owes Glendale about $250,000 of that amount, with the rest owed to the state.
The Coyotes are entitled to an informal hearing if they request one in writing within 10 days. The Coyotes owe taxes dating back to June 2020, according to the tax lien notice.
Phelps said he apprised NHL commissioner Gary Bettman of the situation Wednesday.
The Coyotes' first home game after Dec. 20 is scheduled for three days later versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Glendale said in August that it planned to opt out of its lease agreement for Gila River Arena after this season, meaning the Coyotes will need a new building after June 30, 2022.
Two weeks after the city revealed its plans, the team filed a bid for land in nearby Tempe to be the site of a new arena.
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