What is going through Fox Phoenix's corporate mind?

[KeithE4]

They moved the Michigan/Michigan State men's basketball game airing nationwide on Fox to Channel 45, while the ASU men's hockey game at Colorado College will air on Channel 10.

Is there a particular reason why they did this, or should I ask what they were smoking? Big Ten basketball has a huge following, both locally and nationwide, while ASU hockey is growing but is still relatively obscure compared to their football, baseball, and both basketball programs.

 

[Sammi Brie]

They moved the Michigan/Michigan State men's basketball game airing nationwide on Fox to Channel 45, while the ASU men's hockey game at Colorado College will air on Channel 10.

Is there a particular reason why they did this, or should I ask what they were smoking? Big Ten basketball has a huge following, both locally and nationwide, while ASU hockey is growing but is still relatively obscure compared to their football, baseball, and both basketball programs.

They did this with Michigan/Ohio State last week and one and a half Big 12 basketball games. Clearly, 10 believes that they have a property here that is marketable and they can present it with little to no inconvenience to people who want to see the other programming.

 

[KeithE4]

The only reason I can think of, and it might be a stretch, is to keep YouTube TV from shutting off Channel 45, like they did with 3 and 61 when they started airing local sports.

 

[landtuna]

They moved the Michigan/Michigan State men's basketball game airing nationwide on Fox to Channel 45, while the ASU men's hockey game at Colorado College will air on Channel 10.

Is there a particular reason why they did this, or should I ask what they were smoking? Big Ten basketball has a huge following, both locally and nationwide, while ASU hockey is growing but is still relatively obscure compared to their football, baseball, and both basketball programs.

Rights cost perhaps? Is Fox10 doing any other significant cost containment changes? I very rarely watch 10 but do watch 45 and love the fact both 45 and 61 are now carrying pro and college hockey. After the Coyotes left I was afraid hockey would, once again, disappear from local TV.

 

[radiofan2023]

Rights cost perhaps? Is Fox10 doing any other significant cost containment changes? I very rarely watch 10 but do watch 45 and love the fact both 45 and 61 are now carrying pro and college hockey. After the Coyotes left I was afraid hockey would, once again, disappear from local TV.

I'm glad hockey didn't get iced out!

 

[EricStein]

Rights cost perhaps? Is Fox10 doing any other significant cost containment changes? I very rarely watch 10 but do watch 45 and love the fact both 45 and 61 are now carrying pro and college hockey. After the Coyotes left I was afraid hockey would, once again, disappear from local TV.

The problem with Channel 61 airing out-of-market hockey is that they're showing teams with small fan bases here in Arizona (maybe not the case with Vegas Golden Knights, but the Utah Mammoth must get next to no viewers for them) with the least TV-friendly sport available. They probably not making much, if not any, money with local advertising during those matches.

 

[KeithE4]

The problem with Channel 61 airing out-of-market hockey is that they're showing teams with small fan bases here in Arizona (maybe not the case with Vegas Golden Knights, but the Utah Mammoth must get next to no viewers for them) with the least TV-friendly sport available. They probably not making much, if not any, money with local advertising during those matches.

Outside of the SE Valley and parts of NE Arizona, you'd be right. But here in the Mesa/Gilbert/Queen Creek area, I see as much Utah Jazz apparel as Phoenix Suns. Not so much with hockey yet, but the Jazz and BYU have huge followings in this area, for reasons I don't need to elaborate on.

But with both hockey teams, and the Coyotes before that, the fan bases were/are from Chicago, Detroit, Boston, NYC, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Canada. I have no idea what the ratings are, but it sounds to me like there is a following for both teams. The Mammoth for the obvious reason, and the Golden Knights because they've been a decent team from Day One.

 

[Mr Tony]

They moved the Michigan/Michigan State men's basketball game airing nationwide on Fox to Channel 45, while the ASU men's hockey game at Colorado College will air on Channel 10.

Is there a particular reason why they did this, or should I ask what they were smoking? Big Ten basketball has a huge following, both locally and nationwide, while ASU hockey is growing but is still relatively obscure compared to their football, baseball, and both basketball programs.

no different than in Minneapolis, MN where KMSP Fox 9 carries the MN Gopher hockey games and whatever is on Fox that night moves to co-owned WFTC 29/9.2 (Fox9+)

 

[KeithE4]

no different than in Minneapolis, MN where KMSP Fox 9 carries the MN Gopher hockey games and whatever is on Fox that night moves to co-owned WFTC 29/9.2 (Fox9+)

Yes, but Minnesota is a huge hockey market. Phoenix is not. I'm puzzled to this day how and why the North Stars left for Dallas years ago, but we all know why the Coyotes left.

The Coyotes did their best to develop youth hockey, and ASU has somewhat of a following, but the NHL was a bust here, mostly to bad ownership and worse arena locations (downtown Phoenix, Glendale, and finally the ASU hockey arena, which, like the Suns' arena, was too small) with no money. The money is in Scottsdale. They rejected the Coyotes twice. There won't be a third time. The fan base is in the SE Valley (Mesa/Gilbert/Tempe/Chandler) but there isn't enough wealth to support pro sports here.

 

[Mr Tony]

Yes, but Minnesota is a huge hockey market. Phoenix is not.

I’m in Minnesota so I know. But both Minneapolis and Phoenix Fox is O&O so that probably has something to do with it as to how they can get away with it in both markets.

I'm puzzled to this day how and why the North Stars left for Dallas years ago, but we all know why the Coyotes left.

Simple answer. The (horses arse) owner back then wanted to move the team to a new arena and wasn’t into MN as an owner.

 

[landtuna]

The problem with Channel 61 airing out-of-market hockey is that they're showing teams with small fan bases here in Arizona (maybe not the case with Vegas Golden Knights, but the Utah Mammoth must get next to no viewers for them) with the least TV-friendly sport available. They probably not making much, if not any, money with local advertising during those matches.

Don't forget that the Utah Mammoth team still has the majority of the previous Arizona Coyotes team members and has many followers in the Phoenix area.

 

[landtuna]

Yes, but Minnesota is a huge hockey market. Phoenix is not. I'm puzzled to this day how and why the North Stars left for Dallas years ago, but we all know why the Coyotes left.

IIRC The North Stars owner wanted a new facility but couldn't push local politicos enough for them to pay for it so he relocated the team to Dallas. The old North Stars were a great team to watch.

The fan base is in the SE Valley (Mesa/Gilbert/Tempe/Chandler) but there isn't enough wealth to support pro sports here.

Two of my three sons have played hockey in the Valley since the mid 80's and before that we were regulars at the old Madhouse on McDowell watching the WHA and minor league Roadrunners. Average attendance way back then was around 6,000 with sell-outs during the holidays and playoffs. There is definitely hockey interest in the Valley but not in the West Valley. The old Coliseum used to draw pretty well and ASU's facility was only seat-constrained. The interest here is mainly in the East Valley. Build it there and they will come.

 

[EricStein]

Don't forget that the Utah Mammoth team still has the majority of the previous Arizona Coyotes team members and has many followers in the Phoenix area.

A lot of people also swore them off after they left. They were an uncompetitive team when they left, why should people cheer them for success after leaving?

 

[KeithE4]

A lot of people also swore them off after they left. They were an uncompetitive team when they left, why should people cheer them for success after leaving?

I am one of those, although my main NHL team has always been the Blackhawks. Vegas is #2 now, but that could change if we get an expansion team.

But the chances of a new hockey arena being built in the East Valley are between slim and none, and Slim is on his way out of town. There is no political will to build one that We The Taxpayers would pay at least a portion of. Plus, while Gilbert is far more affluent than most of Mesa, it isn't wealthy enough to support big league sports. They need rich folks in the suites, and those people are in Scottsdale and PV, not Mesa.

 

[brian4]

Back in September (2025) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman appeared on Fox News program Special Report with Bret Baier. I sent in a question and Bettman answered it live: 'when could we expect pro hockey to return to the Valley?' He said they want to have a franchise in Phoenix, but an NHL team should not play in a small arena. Once an ownership team is assembled and a home is completed, he would welcome hockey back in the desert.

I think the city of Phoenix should do what Detroit did: build a combo basketball/hockey arena. Mortgage Matchup Center is the 4th-oldest arena. Madison Square Garden, the oldest (opened 1968), will close and move to a different location in 15 years. The other two are in Minnesota (2 years older) and Utah (1 year). I believe professional sports teams work best when they are in or near their major city's downtown. Over the years, MMC has had several renovations but it would be nice to have a brand new building that supports the NHL and NBA.

 

[landtuna]

A lot of people also swore them off after they left. They were an uncompetitive team when they left, why should people cheer them for success after leaving?

The Coyotes were not top tier but were definitely competitive. The majority of that final Coyotes team still populates the Mammoth roster and their record, as we speak, is currently 4th in the Central Division. Just because they change cities is not a good reason to stop supporting the players.

True fans support their players, not just the team (and yes, it was very difficult for me to support the Coyotes with their terrible owner).

 

[Mediafrog+]

Two of my three sons have played hockey in the Valley since the mid 80's and before that we were regulars at the old Madhouse on McDowell watching the WHA and minor league Roadrunners. Average attendance way back then was around 6,000 with sell-outs during the holidays and playoffs. There is definitely hockey interest in the Valley but not in the West Valley. The old Coliseum used to draw pretty well and ASU's facility was only seat-constrained. The interest here is mainly in the East Valley. Build it there and they will come.

The Valley has a long history of hockey, going back to the Phoenix Apaches of the old California Hockey League in 1958-59 (obviously that name would be a no go today.) Nothing in the 1980s, but from 1967-79 and 1989-2024 there was professional hockey in town.

There have been six incarnations of the Phoenix Roadrunners in the WHL, WHA, CHL, PHL, IHL and ECHL. Then throw in the Phoenix Mustangs of the WCHL. And of course the NHL Coyotes 1996-2024.

I think the city of Phoenix should do what Detroit did: build a combo basketball/hockey arena. Mortgage Matchup Center is the 4th-oldest arena. Madison Square Garden, the oldest (opened 1968), will close and move to a different location in 15 years. The other two are in Minnesota (2 years older) and Utah (1 year). I believe professional sports teams work best when they are in or near their major city's downtown. Over the years, MMC has had several renovations but it would be nice to have a brand new building that supports the NHL and NBA.

Chatter has been that 2037 would be the earliest an NHL team would return to The Valley, and would be in association with a replacement for the MMC.

Although the Coyotes franchise is supposedly dormant right now (the Mammoth are technically an expansion team according to the NHL) there is a feeling among a number of hockey fans that the brand is too damaged to be resurrected by a new team. Maybe a seventh incarnation of the Roadrunners? Though the AHL team in Tucson that is supposedly heading to Reno might have something to say about that.

 

[landtuna]

Although the Coyotes franchise is supposedly dormant right now (the Mammoth are technically an expansion team according to the NHL) there is a feeling among a number of hockey fans that the brand is too damaged to be resurrected by a new team. Maybe a seventh incarnation of the Roadrunners? Though the AHL team in Tucson that is supposedly heading to Reno might have something to say about that.

I'm guessing the Tucson team will have a new name by the time it reaches Reno.

 

[secondchoice]

A Downtown location can be a hindrance. In Atlanta the Braves moved to Cobb County outside the perimeter and seem to had no problem with the Corporate suite sales. They claimed the majority of the season ticket owners were closer to their new location than at the old Ted Turner.

There is a move for another NHL team in Atlanta but so far the the "plans" are for something north of 285 near GA 400. I don't know if the local governments are willing to cut them a deal considering the politicians that OKed the Braves deal became "unemployed" next election.