The Glendale City Council placed the city's reputation as a big league hockey and entertainment mecca into the trust of arena-management firm AEG Facilities on Tuesday night.
The council voted 7-0 to approve a $28 million, five-year contract with the Los Angeles-based company to run Gila River Arena.
Glendale officials directed AEG Facilities executives to fill the venue at the Westgate Entertainment District with concerts and, more importantly, repair the city's battered relationship with the Arizona Coyotes.
Coyotes President Anthony LeBlanc has said repeatedly for months that the hockey team's owners are exploring options to relocate to a new arena in Phoenix, Tempe or elsewhere in metropolitan Phoenix.