Arizona Coyotes Agree with Gila River Indian Community for Jersey Sponsor
The Arizona Coyotes came to an agreement with Gila River Resorts and Casinos to be the team’s official jersey sponsor. It’s the first time there will be a Native American jersey sponsor in the NHL as reported by ESPN.
The partnership with the Gila River Indian Community will be a multi-year deal. It will see the brand on the Coyotes’ home jersey when they start their season. Because of the NHL rules, the Coyotes will not be able to have the gambling companies on their away jersey.
“We are thrilled to announce our extended partnership to add the Gila River Resorts & Casinos logo to our beloved home jerseys,” said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez in the Coyotes’ official statement. “Gila River has been a long-term partner for the Coyotes, and we are grateful for their tremendous loyalty and support over the years.”
There has been a partnership between the team and Gila River Resorts and Casinos in the past. The company was the Coyotes’ arena sponsor before the team had to move to Arizona State University’s new all-purpose arena. They transferred to Mullett Arena, following the termination of their lease in Glendale, AZ.
New Change
The Coyotes will be playing at the 5,000-capacity Mullet Arena. Gila River Resorts and Casinos will be the “presenting sponsor. This will see them participate in a number of community activations around Tempe.
This historic deal has come with the intent of bringing change to the Arizona community. It will lay the groundwork for Native American companies in the future.
“Gila River is honored to be the first-ever Native American owned gaming enterprise to have its logo on an NHL jersey,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos, in the Coyotes’ statement. “As local leaders, we have developed an incredible partnership with the Arizona Coyotes driving positive change in the community as well as bringing world class hockey to the Valley. We are thrilled to embark on this historic journey paving the way for other Native American gaming enterprises.”
It would not be a surprise to see more sports betting related companies start appearing on jerseys as sponsors. Sports betting is becoming a growing entity.
The Arizona Coyotes will begin wearing the Gila River Resorts and Casinos patches when the 2022-23 NHL season begins. This season is the first that NHL teams will be displaying jersey sponsors similar to that in the NBA and soccer teams around the world.
The jersey deal with Gila River Resorts and Casinos will make more money for the team than the arena deal that preceded it, as explained by Gutierrez in the ESPN report.
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