Where Will The Tucson Roadrunners Call Home Next Season?

[@caferacer99]

You guys were asking if the Muerelos have done the market research on moving the Roadrunners. I can tell you for a fact that the season ticket holders have not been asked if we will travel to Tempe for games. For that matter, no one has asked us anything at all.

[@waynewhite8763]

SAD!

[@Thawks29]

glad you guys are back!!!!

[@danielryan8089]

We’ll take you guys over here in SATX

[@DH-vj2bw]

I think if Smith wants to buy an AHL franchise the city that makes the most sense to move it to is Boise. It’s closer, the fans are there with the Steelheads drawing an average of 4500 in the ECHL. I’m not convinced there is enough of a market anywhere else in Utah for a second team. San Jose is an example of a minor NHL market where two teams makes sense from a logistical standpoint, but not a business standpoint. They are only drawing like 2000 fans a game for the AHL. Tucson would probably still be in the top 5 or so locations for an affiliate for the Utah club with all other variables taken out. Phoenix, Boise, Reno, Sacramento, Tucson. Maybe Stockton but that market faded. Tucson is not *that* far and there is still a direct flight several times a day. Hopefully the relationship continues.

[@FuzzyBruin]

For all the negativity(wow guys) to me, it seems like Merreulo isn’t concerned about revenue for the AHL team, as you pointed out it’s probably more expensive, but he’s doing this to keep hockey in the market and for the fans here.

[@Utonian21]

Utah, here. Is there any way the Grizzlies could join the AHL and become a development team? That would be ideal for Utah as the Maverik Center is just down the road from the Delta Center

[@wild_lee_coyote]

Save some money and just hire some busses and drive the fans down to Tucson. The TCC has more seats than Mullett does

[@waynewhite8763]

Grand Forks! Tradition!

[@waynewhite8763]

Why do Tucson fans ALWAYS have to take it in the shorts? TCC has more seats! Yet the Murello family is trying to save face and potentially upset 2 communities! Nice job!

[@caferacer99]

Another question is: who gets the teddy bear toss? If they take that game from us I'm probably out.

[@martyphelps970]

I hate to be a "Debbie Downer" and comment further of AZ hockey fans misfortunes. I live in SLC and am extremely overjoyed that we're getting an NHL team. I have had season tickets for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles and Utah Grizzlies since 1970. Anyway, my crystal ball says Ryan Smith and the SEG will want to move away from Meruelo and anything associated with as such ASAP. I see SEG aquiring either the Roadrunners AHL franchise or another AHL franchise and moving them to West Valley City, Utah where the 2002 Olympic hockey games were played. The current version of the ECHL Utah Grizzlies being displaced and moved to another city. Possibly Idaho Falls where the current Grizzlies ownership group (not SEG) has interest in ice facilities there. For AZ hockey fans sake, I sure hope Meruelo gets discouraged and bails completely out of hockey. I honestly can't see the NHL letting Meruelo ever getting another seat at the NHL table. AZ fans deserve so much better.

[@CJ480_R3AP3R.]

If the Meruelo family doesn't get the land, the next bid is a hospital. (Banner) Hockey is most likely dead in the Valley, at least for the next 10 years. Idk if you have had your heart ripped out and told you can't have it back for 10 years. Unfortunately, Meruelo family winning this bid is the only way we avoid that scenario.

[@Gringo-Billy]

Lame...