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The Arizona Coyotes' new arena still might have a major hurdle to clear

Posted at 8:13 PM, Nov 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-29 09:21:46-05

If you build it, will they come?

If it's a magical baseball field in Iowa -- yes, of course. But what about a hockey arena in Tempe, Arizona?

The Coyotes seem to think so, and from what I heard at Monday's press conference, this does not sound like your typical sports venue.

"(We envision it) as a place you might want to come a little bit before the game and you might want to hang out after," Coyotes majority owner Andrew Barroway said. 

But before you get too excited, there's one major part of this $400 million project that's still up in the air.

When asked about whether the Coyotes will need approval from the governor and the state legislature in order for arena plans to proceed, Coyotes CEO Anthony LeBlanc said, "It is a very important piece of the project," and "if it doesn't happen, we will have conversations."

Conversations? About what?

"Things," LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc went on to say he expects to reestablish conversations later this week. But with that being such a critical part of this project, wouldn't you confirm that before the big announcement?

Either way, the Coyotes expect to break ground at the end of next summer if everything goes according to plan.

Fingers crossed.