Arizona State University has come and corrected a previous report from this week, that the Coyotes will in fact be able to have their logo on the ice.
Jose Romero of azcentral reached out to the university and got clarification on the on-ice logo situation. This is what Romero said the university told him:
"That language was twisted on social media, including from other media outlets, to assert that the Coyotes would not be allowed to paint their logo on the ice for their games and only ASU's would be seen. On Wednesday, the school confirmed that is not the case, and both logos will be painted on the multipurpose arena's ice.
"The Coyotes and ASU logos will be on center ice, but the Coyotes are prohibited from including any of their other normal in-ice branding as was seen at Gila River Arena, their former home. They are also prevented from digitally covering up the ASU logo on their broadcasts."
This is in response to a previous report from The Athletic's Sean Shapiro and Katie Strang, who reported that according the venue license agreement between IceArizona Hockey and OVG Facilities, the Coyotes organization is not allowed to make any changes to the on-ice surface, which includes the Sun Devils' logo in the middle of the sheet.
"In-ice advertising will be a revenue source for Arizona State, and the Coyotes aren’t allowed to modify the look of the ice surface – including the Arizona State logo at center ice — on broadcasts to protect ASU’s permanent advertisers in the building. It is noted that this doesn’t and shouldn’t impact opposing broadcasts filming at ASU."
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According to Shapiro and Strang's report, here is a list of other notices in the agreement.
- If the Coyotes or owner Alex Meruelo become the subject of adverse publicity, contempt, scandal or ridicule for violating "widely held principles of public morality, failing to conduct its business affairs with a high degree of integrity and honesty and/or failing to act as a good corporate citizen," Arizona State can get out of its deal with the Coyotes.
- Any alcohol or beer advertisements must be approved by Arizona State.
- Arizona State maintains the right to object to any advertisement that is “not in good taste or is otherwise not in compliance” with ASU’s rules.
- Arizona State will receive the revenue from naming rights for the arena.
- The Coyotes will not be permitted to sell any temporary advertising that is a competitor or in the same category as whomever ASU sells naming rights to.
The lease between the two is for three years with an option for a fourth. The multi-purpose facility is set to be ready for the fall of 2022 and will seat 5,000 people. That capacity is well below the previous low for an NHL rink, which was the Canada Life Centre, home of the Jets, which seats 15,321.
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Arizona was forced to find a new location when Gila River Arena decided to cut ties with the club after being the home of the Coyotes since 2003. The organization and the university agreed in February for the Coyotes to play their home games out of ASU's new arena for the next three seasons starting with the 2022-23 campaign.
