1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports show. Well, we 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: explore the big money issues in the world of sports. 3 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: I'm Michael Blarn, I'm Scarlet Phone, and dais today. We 4 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,879 Speaker 1: welcome to the show and old friend, and he's a 5 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: very good old friend to have. The NHL's Arizona Coyotes 6 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: President and CEO, Javier Guitarists. Javier has an impressive background 7 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:22,439 Speaker 1: in sports and in business. He has spent time on 8 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: Wall Street, so he knows our world well. And he 9 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 1: is the first and only Latino CEO of the NHL's 10 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: only minority owned team. And by the way, no phone 11 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,239 Speaker 1: this time. Javier is here live with us and Javier 12 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 1: welcome to the Bloomberg Business and Sports guys. Thank you 13 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: so much for having me. It's such a pleasure to 14 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: finally meet you all in person, to be here in 15 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: these beautiful Bloomberg offices and to and to talk sports 16 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:49,879 Speaker 1: and business and investment finance. We leave so much on 17 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: the practice field. I wish you guys could have heard 18 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 1: the practice rank. Yes, yeah, the practice rank. We were 19 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: talking so much about sports and we love it. And 20 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: there is one thing I'm gonna bring up that we 21 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: did talk about and you mentioned it the last time 22 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: we talked about how sports is the comfort food for America, 23 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 1: and I said this before. It's like when the kids 24 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: like I've got to see reality TV, is like, look, 25 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 1: we have reality TV. It's called sports, and it's something 26 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: that everybody gets together, whether they stream it, whether they 27 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:26,479 Speaker 1: are like an old man like me, whether we watch 28 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,400 Speaker 1: it through the rabbit ears, it's like we all get 29 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 1: together to watch sports. Absolutely. I mean I've said this beforehand. 30 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:34,399 Speaker 1: I believe I said it on your show the very 31 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,840 Speaker 1: first time that COVID really showed the power of sports 32 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: to commerce, to community and to culture. It really brings 33 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: together a community, It brings eyeballs together in a way 34 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: that no other platform does it. And and you're right. 35 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 1: The storylines, the narratives UH, this NFL season, the MLB 36 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 1: playoffs obviously, the Lunton, the start of the NHL season, 37 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 1: those are compelling stories that really people create that emotional 38 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: connectivity unlike anything else. And one of the big storylines 39 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: for your Arizona Coyotes is the fact that you're going 40 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: to be playing your home games at Mullet Arena in Tempe, Arizona. Uh. 41 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: The reason why this matters is because it is the 42 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: home rank of Arizona State sun Devils. And what's different 43 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: about this arena is that the full capacity is just 44 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: over five thousand, five five, which is three times fewer 45 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 1: seats than any other NHL team. UH. While at the arena, 46 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: that's remarkable. Does that mean that you pretty much have 47 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: all your seats sold out at this point? Absolutely? You know, 48 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 1: we knew that being in Tempy, which is really the 49 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 1: heart and the main and main of the state, was 50 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 1: going to be a fantastic opportunity for us. Obviously, we uh, 51 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 1: we had negotiations with our prior landlord. We wanted to 52 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: extend the year to year lease that we were on. 53 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: They chose to go into Glendale. Yes, they chose to 54 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 1: go in a different direction, and we looked at several options. 55 00:02:56,160 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: We believe in Arizona and the NHL UH Commissioner Gary Batman, 56 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 1: Deputy Commissioner Bill Daily, they believe in this market as 57 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: much as we do. Fifth largest city in America. The 58 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: growth that you see is just incredible. I just saw 59 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: actually Money magazine had temper Arizona is the number two 60 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: best place to live in America. UM. So it just 61 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: shows you the growth and UH and and really the 62 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:19,919 Speaker 1: compelling nature of being in that market. So for us 63 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 1: it was where could we play in a temporary location 64 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: while we, you know, try to get our permanent facility 65 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: approved and built again also in tempy and so the 66 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:32,800 Speaker 1: great folks at the Arizona State University they have they 67 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: have built an incredible new rink um and we approached 68 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: them about playing there. We wanted to make the investment 69 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 1: to bring it up to NHL standards. So we've invested 70 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 1: over twenty five million dollars when all of a sudden done, 71 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: will be in at almost thirty five million dollars for 72 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:51,800 Speaker 1: all of the temporary location investment that we've made. Um, 73 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: it's a brand new facility. They just had their first 74 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: two games. In fact, our draft pick Josh Stone scored 75 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: the very first goal. Uh as the captain at a 76 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: s U almost storybook. He is the son of coyote 77 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: legend Shanedn't our former captain, and so you couldn't have 78 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: scripted that better. But for us, it's a fantastic opportunity 79 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: to come to the place we want to be. It is. 80 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 1: It is intimate, there is no doubt, but we know 81 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: we're in the right part of the valley and we 82 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 1: know it's a brand new facility. You can, as I said, 83 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 1: you can still smell the plastic on the seats, and 84 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: we are excited about being there. You will be the 85 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: closest you will ever be to NHL hockey. It is 86 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: the lower half of the Lower Bowl and a brand 87 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: new facility in the right part of the valley. Until 88 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: we're excited about it. Well, I remember the days when, 89 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: I mean, my goodness, when the l A King's first 90 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: came to town, right and people said, no way, Los 91 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: Angeles is going to gravitate to a hockey team. And 92 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: then it was you know, the Southwest. I mean, look 93 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 1: at the Colorado Avalanche. So tell me, you know, looking 94 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 1: at the Arizona Coyotes. What is the strategy to sort 95 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 1: of build up that fan base to get the team 96 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: back on the right track, to get you know, to 97 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 1: to really just you know, to to get to that 98 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 1: next level. I mean, what's the plan. Sure, I've maintained 99 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: from day one that Arizona is actually in the in 100 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: the valley. It's a hockey town, there is no doubt 101 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 1: about it. You're talking about the second largest snowbird market 102 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:13,600 Speaker 1: for Canadians, Number one number two. You're talking about one 103 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:17,599 Speaker 1: of the best places to live for former retired NHL players. 104 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 1: So it shouldn't surprise you that we have one of 105 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 1: the best youth hockey programs in the country. Uh. You know, 106 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:25,599 Speaker 1: you have the sons that I just mentioned, Josh Stone. 107 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: We we drafted Josh. Josh was born there because his 108 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: father moved from Canada. He played for twenty one years 109 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 1: and what was most impressive was he had seven of 110 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 1: his junior Coyotes also drafted UH teammates. So the fan 111 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: base is there and we now have been there for 112 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: twenty seven years. It really has been the organization, unfortunately, 113 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 1: due to I think some um some ownership decisions in 114 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: the past, it's been dysfunctional, it's been unstable. There's been 115 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 1: a lack of credibility as to whether or not the 116 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 1: team was gonna stay or move. We are fully committed 117 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: Alex Morello. I tipped my hat to him coming out 118 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,919 Speaker 1: and showing folks I'm willing to spend the money on 119 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:08,799 Speaker 1: a temporary location while I'm trying to spend two billion 120 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: dollars on a permanent facility. And you know, I often say, 121 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 1: you know, what would you say if you knew an 122 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: owner was so committed he was willing to put up 123 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: that amount of money just for the temporary solution. And 124 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:23,839 Speaker 1: so for us, we think we're on the right path. 125 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 1: We think we are headed towards the right part of 126 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: the valley in terms of where we want to be located. 127 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 1: But also our strategy of super serving our fans while 128 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: also focusing on our fans and waiting is exactly the 129 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: right strategy. I wonder if Hila Arena Glendale is going 130 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:45,119 Speaker 1: to regret this decision to say, hey, it's been real, 131 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 1: We'll see you later, because listen, I love the ice capades, 132 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: but that's only going to fill so many seats for 133 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 1: the rest of the year. They had a pro team 134 00:06:55,200 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 1: there and they said no, and now there everybody involved 135 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: in that deal is way smarter than I am, But 136 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: I have to ask to say no to a pro 137 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: sports team, why we We were very not only surprised 138 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 1: but disappointed. They obviously have the right to make this decision. Um. 139 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 1: You know when when Alex spot the team and closed 140 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: on it in August of en he he wanted to 141 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: end this speculation about a relocation, so he approached the 142 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 1: city and said, can you give me a seven year 143 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: extension while I kind of get my bearings and understand 144 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: where we want to be in the city came back 145 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: and said, no, we want you to sign a twelve 146 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 1: year extension. I joined a year later. I asked for 147 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: five year extension. They came back to us with a 148 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: fifteen year request. And then just as a request for 149 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: a proposal was being issued by the City of Tempe, um, 150 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 1: the city manager of Glendale approached me and said, unless 151 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:52,600 Speaker 1: you sign a twenty year at least extension, we're letting 152 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: you know that we are moving on twenty Yes, they 153 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 1: went out to twenty years UM and and for us 154 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: that really wasn't It wasn't in the carts. We knew 155 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: that we wanted to own our own facility, which was 156 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 1: also another situation that wasn't going to be possible out 157 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: there where we were previously. UM because as you know, 158 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 1: it's really now the next phase of sports ownership, where 159 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 1: you own the facilities, you own the parking, the billboards, 160 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: the regional mall, the retail centers, the hotels. UM. That 161 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 1: really add to the financial prosperity of professional sports teams, 162 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 1: and you're seeing it everywhere. This this isn't just US. UM. 163 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:32,680 Speaker 1: You know, the Phoenix Suns were in the NBA Finals 164 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: and it was great because everybody got to see the 165 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 1: Deer District in Milwaukee, which was not only just a 166 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 1: sports arena, but it was an entire district sports and entertainment. 167 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,719 Speaker 1: And that's what we envisioned as well. And so we 168 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 1: were we were disappointed that the folks out in our 169 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 1: in our previous location did not want to UH to 170 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 1: allow us this temporary solution there. But we're excited where 171 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: we're gonna be. You know, Listen, Tempe is phenomenal. UM. 172 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: We're right there on the campus with the you know, 173 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: the largest public university in the country, and that's a 174 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:08,599 Speaker 1: key component to our outreach. We really want to expose 175 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,719 Speaker 1: not just the sport, but US as an organization to 176 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:15,199 Speaker 1: all of these young people. UM. I heard a statistic 177 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 1: that half a million UM alumni from a s you 178 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: live in Maricopa County. That that's a base that we 179 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 1: need to be a part of. And this is this 180 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: is definitely a relationship we're excited to have. Well. I 181 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: mentioned earlier that the Arizona Coyotes is the NHL's only 182 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: minority owned team and I know you have a lot 183 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 1: of multicultural initiatives. Um, the team does, landing its first 184 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: Native American jersey sponsored the Hillo River Resorts and Casino, 185 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: also a partnership with the Filipino American fashion designer as well. 186 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: Can you tell me a little bit about the demographics 187 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 1: of your fan base. Are you attracting fans of Hispanic descent, 188 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:54,959 Speaker 1: Asian descent, um, these minority fans that perhaps you might 189 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,439 Speaker 1: not realize would initially be attracted to hockey. Absolutely. Well. 190 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 1: You know, I've often used the line that, uh. They 191 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 1: asked Wayne Gretzky's father what made Wayne so great? And 192 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 1: he said, Wayne goes to where the puck is going, 193 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: not where it's been. Where's the puck going in America? Young, female, diverse, 194 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,559 Speaker 1: tech savvy, purpose driven. That's our focus. And as I've 195 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: often said, we're going to superserve our fan base, but 196 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: there's these fans in waiting we want to attract, and 197 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 1: so we're intentional in terms of our outreach. We're authentic 198 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: in that it's not something we're doing episodically. It's not 199 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: about Hispanic Heritage Month or Gender Equality Month. This is 200 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: core to the business plans. Super serve the fan base, 201 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: but go after these fans and waiting, and how do 202 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: you do it? You're you go and meet folks where 203 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: they're at. And sometimes it's not even about hockey, it's 204 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: not even about sports. It could be about merchandise, it 205 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: could be about content, it could be about the efforts 206 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 1: you're doing to support diverse own businesses in the community. 207 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 1: And so all of these efforts are all combined around 208 00:10:56,160 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: that effort, UH to really tap into, engage and and 209 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: have people feel that they're a part of who we 210 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: are as a brand. You've mentioned a couple of things. 211 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 1: We are very proud of the fact that uh Hila 212 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: River Resorts in Casino is our Jersey sponsor. UM. Not 213 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 1: only have they been a longtime partner, they were actually 214 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: the naming rights of our previous home, but they actually 215 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: are now spending more with us because they see the 216 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: vision that we have to embrace these diverse communities spting 217 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: more as your Jersey spots than they were before. Yes 218 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: they were, Yes, they are rather UM. And not only that, 219 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 1: we were very proud to have a Native American uh 220 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: you know community now be there on a sweater of 221 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: a professional sports team. The first ever in the league, 222 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: and for us, that's manifestation of the impact that sports 223 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: can have. You mentioned the partnership with Ruy G. B Signor, 224 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: whose brand is Rude, who has just an icon when 225 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: it comes to fashion. I believe he's also the creative 226 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 1: director for Bally, for example. And for us, we had 227 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: not had the level of engagement actually with young people 228 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,719 Speaker 1: and females that we saw after we announced that partnership. 229 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: And you know what's unprecedented about it is he's actually 230 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 1: designed our third jersey, So it is a fashion statement 231 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: that literally players are gonna be wearing on the ice. 232 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 1: Those are the types of things that maybe you're not 233 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:19,840 Speaker 1: a hockey fan, but you're gonna become a Coyote fan 234 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:22,680 Speaker 1: as a result. And so for us, it's all of 235 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: the above. It's not just one thing to your question, 236 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:27,680 Speaker 1: how is the impact we're seeing it? You know, but 237 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: obviously we know this is a constant, consistent thing um 238 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: for us, we know it's not going to just be 239 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: measured in one year. It's going to be measured over time. 240 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,079 Speaker 1: And so for we're really really excited about every single 241 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 1: effort that we're doing that we know we'll pay off. 242 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 1: Maybe you share a similar fan base to the Cardinals, 243 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: to the Diamondbacks. You mentioned the Phoenix Suns. We know 244 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: what's going on with the Phoenix Suns with ownership with 245 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 1: Robert Harbor. You know, do you see any spill over, 246 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 1: any blowbacks your organization, um, due to what's going on 247 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: with the Suns right now. I mean, obviously there's a 248 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,599 Speaker 1: lot there. Obviously You're organization is completely independent, very I 249 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,439 Speaker 1: mean very very different. But I'm just wondering, I mean, 250 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 1: is there any sort of spill over that you know, 251 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:08,960 Speaker 1: might very well kind of make things a little bit 252 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 1: more challenging for you as you attempt to draw on 253 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: a bigger fan base. Yeah, we haven't seen anything that's 254 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 1: a challenge per se. But what it does is, uh, 255 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,800 Speaker 1: you know clearly, Uh, they have been going through some 256 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 1: challenges themselves. I'm very good friends with James Jones, their 257 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 1: general manager. Our sons are are good buddies, as son 258 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: j d. My son Harvey, their classmates in school. So 259 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,560 Speaker 1: we see each other all the time. I gotta tell you, 260 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: when you think about, um, you know, their basketball operations 261 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:35,880 Speaker 1: with James Jones, the Executive of the Year in the NBA, 262 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:39,680 Speaker 1: Monty Williams Coach of the Year Devin Booker, Chris Paul. 263 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: I mean, incredible people of the highest caliber. Obviously they 264 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: are they're changing the ownership's fake and um, you know, 265 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: we'll see what that looks like. I do imagine it's 266 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: going to be quite an incredible valuation. That's gonna be 267 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:56,439 Speaker 1: eye popping. But in terms of for us, no, I mean, 268 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 1: I think what we have is a very clear strat 269 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: g to differentiate ourselves to talk about sports and the 270 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: impact of sports and impact being at core of of 271 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:11,520 Speaker 1: our business plan. Inclusion that I just mentioned to Scarlett 272 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 1: in terms of going after these fans and waiting and 273 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:15,839 Speaker 1: then being innovative. You know, I think the last time 274 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: I was here, Um, I've mentioned to to Michael Barr, 275 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 1: you know, us going after Latino's by trying to tap 276 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,920 Speaker 1: into Chinese Q S R S, right, because that's the 277 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 1: second most popular food and and we have and we've 278 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 1: done some great partnerships there. So for us, it's thinking differently, 279 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: and you know, we've been very focused again on our 280 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 1: strategy and so we're excited to be in that market. 281 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: We know it is a fan a sports market, and 282 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: we believe that we have built a strategy and a 283 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 1: foundation to take on these fans and waiting. Well, just 284 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: what you just said, it's like very you know, not 285 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 1: only is that an attraction. When you mentioned that casino 286 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: was also a sponsor, Um, I looked at Scarlett and Damnien, 287 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: it is like my years per up like a German shepherd. 288 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 1: I'm like, oh, I gotta drive out there. Come on, 289 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: I'm taking that. I'm gonna I'm driving. I'm gonna head 290 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: out there. Did you ever think in the history of sports, 291 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: because there was a moment, you know where sports would 292 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: make that frownie face is like, you know, you get 293 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: Benny the bookie out of here. We're not having any 294 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: of that. And now it's a complete one eighty and 295 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: sports embraces the gambling industry. Yeah, you know, I agree 296 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: with you. There was definitely a time where, um, you know, 297 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 1: you would never have paired the two together. But I 298 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 1: think what's happened is folks have seen sports gaming as 299 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: another way not just to create revenue opportunities and sponsorships, 300 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: but engagement. You now have fans who are engaged in 301 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: these games, in these one on one matchups, in in 302 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: the real the competitive nature of sports because of the 303 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: gaming component, and what you're now seeing is a lot 304 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: of those gaming platforms are as included. We do have 305 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: our own gaming license that we were awarded by the 306 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: State of Arizona. It's now become part of the content 307 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 1: strategy as well. So it's not just the gaming part, 308 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:13,120 Speaker 1: but it's content, it's information, it's engagement. And again, these 309 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 1: are the types of things that bring in fans that 310 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: may not know anything or be engaged in hockey, but 311 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, they are involved and they're part 312 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 1: of your fan base. And you can thank fantasy sports 313 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:26,800 Speaker 1: for that because when you know, at the time when 314 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: fantasy sports first came out and that was legalized because 315 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 1: you had to pay attention to the individual players. And 316 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: then the old time gamblers are like, I can't police, 317 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:39,920 Speaker 1: I got it. Why don't you bet on the games? 318 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 1: And then you know, the sporting industries said, yeah, why 319 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 1: don't we just bet on the games? You know, I 320 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: gotta tell you my son, who's fourteen, he is a 321 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: is a huge basketball fan, and for the life of me, 322 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: I couldn't get him to watch football. I really wanted 323 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: to be able to sit down watch games. I couldn't. 324 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 1: He was like it's too slow. It's this and that. 325 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 1: He loved the act and when it was on, but 326 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: you know, you pay a sixty minute game over three 327 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 1: and a half hours, so it's uh, it was tough 328 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: for him. All of a sudden, he has a fantasy 329 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: league with his buddies as a freshman in high school. 330 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:15,240 Speaker 1: He can tell you Josh Allen stats. He can tell you, 331 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 1: you know, say Kwon Barkley stats and and and that's 332 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:22,440 Speaker 1: a perfect example of what you can do with now 333 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 1: gaming part of the landscape and sports. Yeah, my son, 334 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 1: they just got into fantasy sports. Bless his heart, because 335 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 1: the only thing he cared about was all the racing. 336 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 1: And he got into fantasy sports and he said dead 337 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: and needs your hill? Who's this? R Wilson. I'm like, boy, 338 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 1: so you're exactly right. Have al right. I gotta ask you, 339 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: with all the interest in Michael Barr's gambling sports gambling, um, 340 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,679 Speaker 1: what kind of investments are is the teammaking data analytics 341 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 1: basically money puck um Matt throws have taken over the 342 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:57,680 Speaker 1: front office across the sports landscape. How much brain space? 343 00:17:57,720 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: How much of your budget does that take up in 344 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: front office? Yes, so you know our strategy on the 345 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:05,280 Speaker 1: ice is to build a sustainable winner. And you know, 346 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: I really again gotta tip my hat to Bill Armstrom, 347 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:11,200 Speaker 1: who who I helped higher when I joined. About six 348 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 1: months after I joined, we brought him over. He had 349 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 1: won a Stanley Cup as the assistant general manager with St. 350 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: Louis Blues and one of the things we told them, 351 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 1: We're like, we don't want to just have one hit wonders. 352 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: We want to create the foundation sustainable winner over time. 353 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: And really, what he said, you're gonna have to go 354 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 1: through the draft and when you do that strategy, it 355 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: is about understanding the opportunity to not only draft where 356 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,159 Speaker 1: they're at today because we're drafting eighteen year olds. Um, 357 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 1: it's how do you develop them and utilizing technology, utilizing 358 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 1: data for things that you wouldn't even thought of. We 359 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: use data to analyze players as sleep. I didn't realize 360 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 1: there was sleep science and data analyze, Yes, to analyze 361 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: their eight year old sleep. Absolutely like it a lot, 362 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 1: Yeah exactly, but you know it's it's and to analyze 363 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:01,919 Speaker 1: you know, how much and how often they should be lifting? Um, 364 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:05,679 Speaker 1: what's the what's the time period in between the arrest 365 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,760 Speaker 1: while they're working out while they're skating, while they're lifting, 366 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: while even while they're eating. You know, what is the 367 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 1: the amount of time that they should be spending eating. 368 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 1: All that is driven by data analytics. All that's driven 369 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,959 Speaker 1: by technology. We have made a significant investment because, as 370 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 1: we've said, it's get the assets in terms of the 371 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:28,360 Speaker 1: draft picks, select right, and then develop them. Every aspect 372 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,360 Speaker 1: of that has been very driven by data analytics. We've 373 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: invested quite a bit of money into all that. We 374 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 1: actually have the largest scouting and player development staff in 375 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:40,479 Speaker 1: the NHL because we have made this the foundation. As 376 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: Alex Marlow said last year when we were at the 377 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,640 Speaker 1: NHL Draft in the Montreal, this is our Stanley Cup 378 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:49,119 Speaker 1: today right now. And I give get a lot of 379 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 1: credit for him to make that type of investment knowing 380 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 1: that it's going to take time to develop, but we 381 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 1: know that's the way to build the winner. Well here, 382 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: let's let's let's trap up the script here. I mean, 383 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: talk to us about you know, guys like Clayton Keller, 384 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: Nick Smalts. Talk to us about these young kids that 385 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 1: are coming up that are having great years. You know, 386 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,159 Speaker 1: I mean, how do they look this year? You know 387 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 1: what kind of progress are they making? How do you 388 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,639 Speaker 1: measure that progress? More importantly? Sure, I've been asked, you know, 389 00:20:11,720 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: what is success gonna look like this? For us? We're 390 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 1: going to measure success differently because we know we're in 391 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 1: a multi year strategic process. We're gonna measure by you 392 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 1: just mentioned a couple of names, Nick Schmaltz, Los and Krauss, 393 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 1: Clayton Keller, these young leaders, to see them continue to 394 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 1: mature as leaders of this team. You're talking about guys 395 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: that are in their mid twenties but developing that leadership. Second, 396 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 1: we want to see some of these young players. I 397 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: was just in Boston for our second game against the 398 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 1: Boston Bruins. So we saw Dylan Gunther, the ninth overall pick, 399 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 1: a nineteen year old, get on the ice and actually 400 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: score point in his first game, having an assist for us. 401 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 1: That's the development. And then we have some incredible talent 402 00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: um coming up. You know, we're very excited about you know, 403 00:20:57,119 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: Logan Cooley, the third overall pick. Um, he is just 404 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 1: lighting it up. I'm going on air right here, right now. 405 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 1: He should be a Hobie Baker candidate for best player 406 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:13,440 Speaker 1: in College hockey, right and so for us, our evaluation 407 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 1: is that, right when we look at successes, can our 408 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:19,679 Speaker 1: leaders continue to mature. Can these young players that are 409 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,840 Speaker 1: going to be playing, can they take that that next step? 410 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:25,239 Speaker 1: And then the the young guys, the ones that are 411 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 1: in our Tucson road Runners, the ones that are in 412 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: college that we're going to be bringing in UM, And 413 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: that's our evaluation. I also have to, you know, really 414 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:38,120 Speaker 1: um talk about our coach, our coach under Tory name Bear. 415 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:43,400 Speaker 1: The culture of competitiveness that he has brought has changed 416 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: the narrative of us on the ice. We are a 417 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 1: team you do not want to play. We are young, 418 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:52,680 Speaker 1: we are we are fast, we're talented, but but we're 419 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:55,520 Speaker 1: fearless and we're competitive. And that's all we asked him. 420 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:58,000 Speaker 1: You know, Bill Armstrong said, we want to see players 421 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 1: that bleed in the desert, and that's what you're seeing 422 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 1: because of Bear. Forgive me, folks, and and how you're 423 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:04,640 Speaker 1: you are right. It's like when you got a young 424 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 1: team like the Coyotes, they just don't give a damn. 425 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: It's like we're gonna play, and it's like if you 426 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,399 Speaker 1: don't like it, you know, so be it. But I 427 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 1: like that attitude and we could talk until the spring, 428 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: because you know it's I love talking sports with you, 429 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:23,200 Speaker 1: but you're a very busy man. So I have to 430 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:27,920 Speaker 1: ask you this county you, which is part of the 431 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:32,680 Speaker 1: experience of the new arena? Can you tell us about that? Absolutely? Well, 432 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,359 Speaker 1: you know, we're on the campus of the largest public 433 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 1: university in the country. We absolutely have to take advantage 434 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:41,160 Speaker 1: of it. And so what we said from very early 435 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: on is we were going to allocate about four hundred 436 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 1: tickets for every game to a s U students and 437 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 1: we wanted to formalize that in a program and it's 438 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 1: called Coyotes you and it's not just coming to the games, 439 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:59,160 Speaker 1: it's really the entire experience of hockey we're looking at, 440 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:02,200 Speaker 1: you know, how do we engage students as they're coming 441 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 1: into the game, How do we activate the entire campus. 442 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 1: One of the things that the folks at a s 443 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 1: U we're great about is allowing us to have merchandise 444 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:14,680 Speaker 1: in the bookstores throughout the entire campus. And so what 445 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,720 Speaker 1: you're really doing is activating everything about what a SU 446 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:22,440 Speaker 1: stands for. And clearly it centers around the students. We 447 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 1: know many of them have never experienced the hockey game. 448 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,439 Speaker 1: So how do we invite them in When you're thinking 449 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: about what this experience is going to be, that youthful 450 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 1: exuberance is going to be a game changer having them 451 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: in the building, having them excited, having them, you know, 452 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 1: kind of lose their mind. That the crazies that you 453 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 1: see in in college sports, that's going to come to 454 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: the NHL, And honestly, I think it's going to transform it, 455 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 1: and I think there's gonna be other franchises are going 456 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:51,200 Speaker 1: to try to actually formalize that. I have to be 457 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 1: a key part of of who they are tearing down 458 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 1: the goal net, like a certain Tennessee team that I know, 459 00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 1: but I'm won't go into. College hockey is its own 460 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 1: special thing with the level of commitment. You call it 461 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: the crazies, but it's it's just this loyalty that you 462 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,920 Speaker 1: don't see, uh at the professional level. I'm curious that 463 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: you mentioned some of the troubles that the franchise has 464 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 1: gone through over the last twentysomething years with the past 465 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:20,920 Speaker 1: management issues. UM. When people question whether pro hockey is 466 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 1: really viable in the American Southwest, you can look at, 467 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,600 Speaker 1: for instance, UM, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, they've done 468 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,440 Speaker 1: incredibly well. Um, they went to the playoffs very early 469 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:33,680 Speaker 1: on when they became the latest expansion team. When you 470 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:35,720 Speaker 1: look at a team like the Golden Knights, what do 471 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 1: they do well that you think, oh, that's something we 472 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 1: can borrow from. Where that's something we can learn from. 473 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:43,640 Speaker 1: What's the best practice? I think there were three things 474 00:24:43,720 --> 00:24:47,119 Speaker 1: that that when you witness their success. Number One, they 475 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:51,160 Speaker 1: fully engage that community. That community rallied around and obviously 476 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: they had a tragedy, uh that I think accelerated that, 477 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: but they became that rallying cry again. The power of 478 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:01,600 Speaker 1: sports to convene, to create hope, to create joy, and 479 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:04,520 Speaker 1: bring that emotional connection of a community. That's what we're 480 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,360 Speaker 1: focused on by putting impact at the core. I think 481 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: the second thing is they went to the non fans. 482 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:14,119 Speaker 1: They taught the sport to two folks who had never 483 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: been to a hockey game. How did they do that? Well? Well, 484 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 1: I think that they said, you know what, come out, 485 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 1: have a great experience, which will be the last part 486 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 1: was you know, be entertained and get you hooked and 487 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 1: guess what, then we'll do the clinics. Then we'll do uh, 488 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 1: the outreach with our youth hockey programs will be out 489 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:34,880 Speaker 1: in the community to help you get up to speed 490 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:37,920 Speaker 1: about what hockey really is is about um. But the 491 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:40,359 Speaker 1: last thing they did is they saw hockey for what 492 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 1: it is. For what all of these UH sporting events are. 493 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:45,920 Speaker 1: It's entertainment. You want to go out and you want 494 00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:49,800 Speaker 1: to have a phenomenal experience. You want music, you want noise, 495 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:52,399 Speaker 1: you want pete, you want an ability to you know, 496 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: have fun and during the middle periods, right, absolutely, I mean, 497 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:00,920 Speaker 1: and it is to all a part of it. You know, 498 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:04,560 Speaker 1: you want to be part of the cultural experience of 499 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 1: a community. And one thing that the Vegas Nights did 500 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 1: is they brought in the acts from the strip, right, 501 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 1: they brought they put on a show. And that's what 502 00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:15,640 Speaker 1: we're focused on. We know that this is as much 503 00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:19,400 Speaker 1: an experience as it is a sporting event, and we're 504 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:20,960 Speaker 1: very focused on it can't just be the free T 505 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:23,639 Speaker 1: shirt tossing anymore. Not right, Well, look, I mean I 506 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,200 Speaker 1: mean for me, Look, I the Arizona Coyotes, to their credit, 507 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 1: you know, are expected to improve this year. But you 508 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,600 Speaker 1: know it's the abs, right, I mean, they're they're they're 509 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 1: the team too. I mean in your opinion. You know 510 00:26:34,240 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: you're closer to these teams, You're closer to it. You 511 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:38,479 Speaker 1: know who should we be looking at for? I mean 512 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:40,840 Speaker 1: is the Maple Leafs? I mean obviously their projected it's 513 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:45,040 Speaker 1: Scarlett's a big bish bleeds blue? Is it the Rangers? 514 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:46,479 Speaker 1: I mean? Who should we be looking at for this year? 515 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: I think you've You've just mentioned a bunch of the teams. 516 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 1: But you know the great thing about hockey is that 517 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,200 Speaker 1: it will surprise you. Playoff howk there is nothing like 518 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 1: playoff hockey and puck luck as they say, which was 519 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: a term I had never heard of. Um, you know 520 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:04,280 Speaker 1: that puck it bounces crazy and uh and all it 521 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:09,520 Speaker 1: takes is one lucky bounce, one great goal to inspire 522 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 1: a team, one big hit to inspire a team. But 523 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:14,640 Speaker 1: You've named some great teams, and you know what I'm 524 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:17,679 Speaker 1: excited about is I think the health of the NHL 525 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: has never been greater. Um, I think clearly are Also 526 00:27:21,119 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: our media partnerships with ESPN and with Turner have been phenomenal. 527 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:30,440 Speaker 1: They've created that relevancy and pop culture that quite frankly, 528 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:33,160 Speaker 1: you hadn't seen for from NHL hockey in a long time. 529 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:36,439 Speaker 1: And again, the sport will sell itself once you show up, 530 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,359 Speaker 1: once you're engaged in it, it sells itself. It's now 531 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 1: about us as being part of the of the top 532 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:45,280 Speaker 1: of mindness of the fans and the fans and waiting 533 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 1: that I think has been has been key. Javier, I'm 534 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 1: gonna have to uh now, I will always root for 535 00:27:53,920 --> 00:28:00,680 Speaker 1: the Coyotes until January because that's when they But they're 536 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 1: playing at Mullet Arena, and I'm thinking, like, you know, 537 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:10,640 Speaker 1: there could be a vacation. There's still not already. Bar Yeah, well, 538 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: I know I'm gonna have I know a guy though 539 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:18,840 Speaker 1: care of go find a friend at Arizona's Day. Oh man, 540 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:21,680 Speaker 1: that would be a great vacation. I'm thinking you guys 541 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:25,679 Speaker 1: are welcome anytime. And by the way, remember the winters 542 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:29,119 Speaker 1: in Arizona are that's where you want to be. There's 543 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:32,239 Speaker 1: no doubt that vacations looking better and better. Michael, Bar 544 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:36,560 Speaker 1: thank you You've been so kind to us, Man. I 545 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 1: appreciate it. I'm telling you, it's nice. They have an 546 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 1: old friend who is like they had big time of 547 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:47,160 Speaker 1: a hockey team. This is great. Oh. This has been 548 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:49,880 Speaker 1: the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast I'm Michael Barr, along 549 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:52,959 Speaker 1: with Scarlet Food and Damien sass Hour and catch us 550 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,800 Speaker 1: here each and every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday exploring the 551 00:28:55,800 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 1: world of money in sports. And catch me on Twitter 552 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 1: at Big Bar Sports and I'm all aways thrilled whenever 553 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:03,360 Speaker 1: we can talk hockey. Follow me on Twitter at Scarlett 554 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:06,800 Speaker 1: Food and I'm on Twitter at daur And And how 555 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 1: do I know you? You have some Twitter accounts that 556 00:29:09,880 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 1: you'd like to get out there? What what are some 557 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:15,719 Speaker 1: of the Twitter accounts? Sure? Well, so Javier Theatrist Mr 558 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 1: Javier A. G Um and then obviously the Arizona Coyotes 559 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:23,920 Speaker 1: Asy Coyotes Um. And by the way, guys, this is 560 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 1: always a pleasure to talk to you, and you guys 561 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 1: are welcome anytime as my guest. And remember the Super 562 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:31,360 Speaker 1: Bowl will be out in Arizona as well, so maybe 563 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 1: we can meet up then as well. We could cash this. Okay, 564 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 1: you're you're gonna have a conversation with Mrs Bar tonight 565 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:43,080 Speaker 1: and we'll see how it goes. And ordinarily I'm one 566 00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 1: of those guys know we need to stay in It's like, 567 00:29:45,760 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 1: you know, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, i gotta work this now, 568 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:52,720 Speaker 1: let's see, I need some flowers. You're listening to the Work, Businesses, 569 00:29:52,760 --> 00:29:55,360 Speaker 1: sports on Bloomberg Radio around the world.