Glendale City Council considering canceling Coyotes' arena lease agreement

The drama between the Arizona Coyotes' ownership group and the city of Glendale never seems to end.

Despite claims by Coyotes co-owner Anthony LeBlanc on Tuesday that the franchise is staying put, Glendale City Council could complicate matters in a special meeting Wednesday. The meeting's agenda deals with whether or not the city manager and city attorney should be directed to cancel the arena lease agreement with IceArizona, which owns the franchise.

The primary concern of the council seems to revolve around how IceArizona is spending the $15 million provided annually by the city for management of Gila River Arena. The money was allegedly used to pay down team debts not associated with the arena.

IceArizona responded to news of Wednesday's meeting with a statement from their lawyers:

This is a blatant attempt to renege on a valid contract that was negotiated fairly and in good faith and in compliance with all laws and procedures. In the event the City Council initiates any action to revoke, repeal, or otherwise rescind the agreement, the Coyotes will immediately take all actions available to them under the law against the City of Glendale.

LeBlanc added his own two cents to the end of the statement, calling the meeting "completely ludicrous" and claiming IceArizona was not aware of the meeting until the notification was posted online.

"The City of Glendale is displaying a complete lack of good faith, business acumen, or an understanding of a business partnership," he said. "We want to reassure our great fans that the Arizona Coyotes are committed to Glendale and playing at Gila River Arena."

The NHL later released the following statement:

This could get ugly. Again.

- With h/t to Rick Westhead of The Sports Network.