"F*ck you Gary Bettman" - Angry Arizona Coyotes fans call out NHL commissioner over failed desert experiment

Following the defeat of the Arizona Coyotes in a special election on Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has come under criticism from Coyotes fans, with many calling him responsible for the failure.

The Arizona Coyotes' future has now become uncertain after, nearly 56 percent of the vote cast in Propositions 301, 302 and 303 (out of 29,153 ballots) were cast against them to build a new arena and entertainment district in Tempe.

Coyotes fans are concerned about their team's future in the NHL and have blamed commissioner Gary Bettman for the same. One said:

Gary Bettman issues statement

Following the announcement of the special election results on Tuesday night, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement.

He said that the league is disappointed by the outcome of the public votes on the Coyotes' proposal to build an arena and entertainment district in Tempe. Bettman also said that the NHL will consult with the Coyotes to determine the next course of action:

Meanwhile, as the referendum didn't favor the club, the Coyotes will likely have to start from scratch and find a new permanent home ice.

Initially, the Arizona Coyotes had proposed to build an arena that would boast 16,000 spectators and an entertainment district on city-owned land at Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive, West end of Tempe Town Lake.

The Arizona Coyotes' proposal received immense support from the city council and former mayors, but the public rejected the plan, and it was estimated that the cost for the construction would be roughly around $2.1 billion. So, the Coyotes will now have to explore other options.

Following the outcome of the election, the Coyotes released a statement that the steps for the future of the club will be determined by owners and the NHL in the coming weeks:

About the author

Abhishek is an NHL writer at Sportskeeda with over 2 years of sports reporting experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi. He became a fan of ice hockey after watching NHL fight videos on YouTube, which led to him professionally writing about the sport and his continued interest in all things hockey.

A fan of the Boston Bruins, Abhishek considers their incredible comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 playoffs as the most iconic moment in the NHL. His admiration for the six-time Stanley Cup winners also comes from the team’s storied history, distinctive black and gold uniform and their success in the sport. His all-time favorite NHL players are Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, for their ability to perform at the highest level consistently.

Abhishek ensures his reporting is fair and balanced by being well-researched in his details, which he expects to be relevant, up-to-date and in line with ethical standards. His specialties are doing detailed match analysis and covering fan reactions.

Abhishek enjoys music, traveling and going on walks with his three German Shepherds in his free time, along with learning about horticulture.

Know More