Coyotes Need Money
Thursday · Dec 31 · 2009 | 8:30 AM PST
I'm just trying to help the Phoenix Coyotes say what they're beating around the bush about this New Year's Eve.
Here's the situation, and it's a doozy. We know the Coyotes are in dire financial straits and the question of whether the franchise will still be in Glendale next season remains up in the air (though Bettman might have you believe otherwise).
I suppose in some sort of misguided effort to make a quick cash grab, the Coyotes are following in the footsteps of many a minor league team. Tonight, bidding begins on a handful of autographed specialty jerseys made just for New Year's Eve.
Normally, a minor league club will have a special edition jersey made to be worn on a promotional night. After which the game-worn jerseys are then put up for auction, usually with a handful of the cash going to charity. The rest back into the team's often dwindling budget.
To the left you see what happens when an NHL team tries it. They're actually nothing more than black practice jerseys with special logos sewn on. Special "champagne-colored" logos. Could they be any more desperate?
Every player on the team has signed a jersey with his name on it but the worst part is they won't even be worn by the players. Ever. Not even during warm-ups before the game or anything. Obviously the NHL has pretty strict rules when it comes to one-off specialty jerseys. And rightfully so. (These are atrocious!)
Still, in a rough economy you have to do what you have to do. And to be perfectly fair, the money is actually going to charity for the most part. But the Coyotes are fun to tease these days. Here's what their official press release has to say about the auction.
Each Coyotes player will autograph a one-of-a-kind New Year’s jersey with his name and number on the back. The jerseys will then be available for bidding on NHL.com beginning at noon on Dec. 31. The auction will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit Coyotes Charities, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout Arizona communities by supporting non-profit organizations that promote healthcare, education, cultural arts and sports-related programs for children.
So if you're a Coyotes fan, head on over and show your support. The rest of us can just have a giggle at the expense of those ridiculous jerseys.
Thanks to Dan for pointing out this story!
Reader Comments (17)
I don't know... I'd honestly bid on the Fiddler just because he's a beloved figure in Nashville. Still, the ball/number on the back is pretty god awful with the gold dots and such.
Gotta say, the Coyote that color is not horrible. Shame the rest of the jersey is.
for god sake... just move away from Phoenix ! it never worked and it never will...
The "champagne" coyote on the front isn't that bad, but that thing on the back is atrocious!
Wow, it's an auction for a charity and you turn it into a jab at the coyotes financial problems, classy. I used to want them to move back to Canada until I had to hear you whine about it in about every one of your posts involving the team, leave them alone. I'll be surprised if Kim Jung-Il allows my post to go through.
OH Dont worry i Agree Koho. The Coyotes try to do something good for the community and it has to be turned into a shot at them. I love the coyotes and I wish i was in a position to go to the games on a regular bases, being a 500+ miles away makes it hard to attend. The Nhl will let the Ducks and Blackhawks wear "one-off" speciality jerseys for the soldiers in pregarme but the coyotes cant? Come on. You call it a cashgrab if Phoenix does if another team does it, do you have a problem with then. I dont see how you can really call it a cashgrab since the money is going to charity, but whatever. Love the blog, but chill with the coyotes disses, please.
I apologize to those of you who are upset by my poking fun at the Coyotes' situation. It's nothing personal. Obviously, if you're a fan, I'm coming off as a jerk. But speaking as a lifelong Lightning fan, I'm used to this type of talk about my team so I figure others are fair game.
Personally, I would hate to see the Coyotes leave Phoenix. I can only imagine what it would feel like to see the Bolts go away. I'd be devastated. But at the same time the jerseys look silly and in the team's current situation, the jokes write themselves.
And Cody, I understand what you're saying but the Hawks and Ducks were honoring soldiers. New Year's Eve isn't a "cause" — even though the charities that will benefit are. It's a fine line and though you don't want to, surely you can see it.
One last note. I rarely, if ever, have Coyotes news to post, so how is it you guys are saying I'm always giving them a hard time?
..............why?
Yes, the color of the coyote head actually looks pretty good, although I don't mind the current brick red color.
This jersey has a very 70s feel to it, although it's quite blatant. These, like the old Blues' "trumpet" third, should've never seen the light of day, whether it's for charity or whatnot. But they're doing it for they're own selfish greed. And yes, the Coyotes need the money more than anybody else, but this is just sad on so many levels.
Yeah the line is their but something as meaningless as a pregame skate who really cares what the team wears if it benefits a good cause, be it charity or honor. I think some of my frustration boiled over seeing this Chris. Im just sick of the Canadian entitlement to hockey spill you hear and see whenever you look at the comments on Tsn or any website that for that matter when it comes to the Coyotes. I know your a lightning fan so you dont really apply to that argument, but my frustration just kinda boiled over. I can think of why so many good arguments about why the Coyotes should stay but half the time people are too busy saying "bring them back to canada where they belong" to listen. Appreciate the blog, and appreciate the response. Sorry for any ill will if you felt any.
Cody, you make excellent points in your posts and I honestly can't believe how frustrated you must be with the whole Coyotes situation. I respect the Coyotes as a team and they are doing their best to rope in fans, who are reluctant. That being said, your team needs a rebrand, fast. Get rid of those uniforms and start over (The Coyote head can stay).
It's people like you who help keep their hockey teams alive.
It's great to see the kind of year they're having on the ice so far and I hope they can keep it up. Hopefully some people will show up to the games if the team is competitive.
Appreciate the kind comments Evan. The funny thing is, I have never lived in Phoenix or been to the game but i almost have a bigger connection with the Coyotes then i do my Hurricanes. The Coyotes are doing what they need to do at the moment, Win. If this team can make the playoffs, it will be a big start. These new owners are also going to have to show their commitment to Phoenix. Get a new lease in the city should be top priority. Who ever agreed to the original should be hung from the rafters. We dont need owners that are going to come in then have a good amount of games in a Canadian country. Im sorry, but if most the phoenix fans feel how I feel, this would be a kick in the groin. Thats a good way to alienate fans if you half way out the door. The area of Phoenix shows that it has the potential to fill that stadium as they used to. A series of great mismanagements have brought this franchise to where it is at.
I personally am enjoying seeing the Coyotes struggle. No, it's not a Canadian entitlement thing. It's a geographic thing; in that hockey, unlike baseball or football, is with few exceptions, a regional sport. That places like Phoenix have franchises isn't that bad in itself, it's that they have franchises at the expense of places where hockey is an intrinsic part of the culture. And to see the smug Bettman and the BOG running around pretending otherwise is offensive. Sure, branch out cautiously, but don't do it at the expense of your core fans.
Nothing personal, just an observation.
I'm ashamed to say Columbus did the same thing last year: St. Patrick's Day practice jerseys. They were green, and each player either had an "O'" prefix, or a "Mac" prefix.
Oh yeah, gotta get me an "O'Filatov".
I dont understand why this is a big deal. The Sharks do the same exact thing for christmas, thanksgiving and halloween. I think they did a St Patricks day jersey once too.
is it really that bad? It's not like they're wearing it in game
Coyotes and minor league teams aren't the only teams that do this sort of thing. The Sharks have done it in the past too. Usually with St. Patrick's Day or Halloween. I'm almost certain that other NHL teams have done this.
Plus, don't get too hard on them about the jersey design. It is a warm-up jersey. They wear them during warm-ups and then sign them for auction.