BAD IDEA OF THE WEEK: Trying to kick the Coyotes out

If the Arizona Coyotes want to pick up and leave town, they can, but that does not appear to be the preference of the team's ownership group. Last Wednesday, the Glendale city council put themselves in the penalty box when they voted 5-2 to cancel the professional management contract and arena lease agreement with IceArizona, the Coyotes' ownership group, just two years into a 15-year lease. The team remains defiant about the ruling, and while markets ripe for relocation of an NHL team may be licking their chops, this isn't over yet in Glendale. The team has its chance to leave, but CEO and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc says it is doing whatever it can to stay. The first order of business for the Coyotes is to pursue action against the City of Glendale to challenge the legality of the decision. To that end, the Arizona Coyotes have acted to defend their rights and reaffirm their continuing commitment to their great fans by seeking a restraining order to stop the City of Glendale's baseless attack on, and improper attempt to void, the Coyotes' lawful and proper lease to play at Gila River Arena. The suit was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court against the City of Glendale, the Glendale City Council, and other City officials. Last Friday, Superior Court Judge Dawn Bergin granted the motion for a temporary injunction and set another hearing on the dispute for June 29, and I hope the Coyotes can keep playing at Gila River through at least the 2027-28 season, even if it means having to change their team name to the Redskins.