(Photo courtesy of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors)
By Craig Morgan | AZ Insider
One month ago, Tom Galvin hung a carrot of hope in front of downtrodden Coyotes fans. On the day he was sworn in as Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair, Galvin announced his intent to form an advisory committee of political and business leaders dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix metro area.
Late last week, I caught up with the busy attorney and politician to pick his brain on the genesis of the idea, and the steps ahead.
What led you down this path?
Galvin: “I’ll start off by saying that I was an extremely frustrated sports and hockey fan, but it’s multifaceted, and there’s several points. I saw a lack of what I thought was vision and building and accumulating political capital by the previous Coyotes leadership and ownership. But I was also very frustrated by a lack of political leadership and political support, not just for the Coyotes as a company or as a brand, but for the notion that we live in the Valley of the Sun. We’re a region of 4.5 million people. We’re a growing region. We’re an economic powerhouse known around the world. Sports are important, and when you lose a team, it’s actually a stain on your image and your reputation.
“It’s not just a sports issue; not purely a hockey issue. When people scoff and say, ‘Well, I’m not a hockey fan, so what do I care?’ You should care because you have to acknowledge that it’s a billion-dollar business, and pro sports have a unique hold on the United States and North America.
“I just thought there was a vacuum of leadership. I looked around and I didn’t see anyone doing anything about it so I said to myself, ‘Well, if anyone can or should do it, why not me?’ So I took the initiative and I just started running.”
Were you disappointed in the political opposition to the Coyotes?
Galvin: “I think it’s really important to make a distinction. There was political opposition, yes, but there was also a lack of political vision. I’ll be very specific, [Former Tempe council member and current State Senator) Lauren Kuby took on an anti-Coyotes stance with the Tempe situation. But there was also a lack of political vision where once the Tempe thing failed, I didn’t see state leaders like Governor Hobbs step in to say, ‘What can we do for the Coyotes?’ So I watched the Coyotes cast about the Valley futilely trying to find something.”
