Judge Grants Restraining Order In Arizona Coyotes Lease Dispute With Glendale

By Alexandra Olgin, Associated Press
Published: Friday, June 12, 2015 - 1:43pm
Updated: Friday, June 12, 2015 - 5:27pm
(Photo by Alexandra Olgin - KJZZ)
Arizona Coyotes co-owner Anthony LeBlanc speaks outside court in Phoenix on June 12, 2015.

A judge granted a temporary restraining order Friday requested by the Arizona Coyotes to prevent the city of Glendale from dissolving its arena lease agreement with the team.

The order does not address whether the city must make the next payment due to IceArizona, the Coyotes' owner, for operating the arena.

Coyotes officials said the restraining order is needed to stop the city's "improper attempt" to void a 15-year agreement to play at the Gila River Arena.

Co-owner of the team Anthony LeBlanc said he’s concerned about players wanting to come to play for a team with an uncertain future.

“There has been irreparable harm to the coyotes, you know, free agency opens for the NHL on July 1," LeBlanc said. "This has unfortunately iced us out of the free agency market regardless of that we continue to be very dedicated to this market, we think this is a great hockey market. And this week has done nothing but show that in spades.”  

The Glendale City Council voted Wednesday to void the agreement, angering the team and fans and creating uncertainty about the team's future.

The Coyotes signed the $225 million lease agreement for the arena with the city in 2013.

Current Glendale City Attorney Michael Bailey said, "This decision is just one step in a long process."

The hearing for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for the end of July. 

MORE: Glendale Councilman Talks About Why He Voted To Void Arizona Coyotes Contract

Updated 6/12/2015 at 5:24 p.m.

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