This might be the reason Ishbia didn’t buy the Coyotes to keep them in Arizona
June 7, 2025
This might be the reason Ishbia didn’t buy the Coyotes to keep them in Arizona
6 comments
This sucks. When the Yotes return to Arizona we’ll need an owner who is willing to spend, and Ishbia doesn’t look to be that owner.
He’s basically Meruelo but his wealth is somehow even more dubious
I read this, but don’t believe it. United Wholesale Mortgage is the largest lender in the US for residential mortgages. It would be a huge story if it was in trouble. Ishbia is also worth, at last check, around $10 billion. Maybe Dan Gilbert is starting shit.
What is interesting is what news broke yesterday that the Ishiba family plans to eventually own the Chicago White Sox. Mat’s brother Justin would become the majority owner by no later than 2033 after Jerry Reinsdorf transfers his ownership to them. Their father would also be an investor. That team is in flux where they have asked Illinois for at least $1 billion toward a new ballpark in downtown Chicago. Instead, MLS’ Chicago Fire has all but snatched the site from under them and the White Sox still have no ballpark plan. Justin Ishiba has a stake in Nashville SC and with that connection, who knows if the White Sox may move there. Now even linked to Orlando.
This makes me wonder if Mat Ishiba will be the Suns and Mercury owner long term. Let’s say he puts up the basketball teams for sale, could that open the door for an owner or ownership group that wants to bring the NHL back also be interested in acquiring the Suns and Mercury? If so, could that lead to a potential new downtown Phoenix arena? That arena option likelihood would dramatically increase if a future owner does this. Yeah, a long shot right now… clearly. But who knows.
I’d rather not share a space with the Suns anyway in downtown Phoenix so don’t hate this. May delay process a bit though
Meruelo wanted a billion for a team that was worth 300-400 million. That’s why he didn’t buy it.
6 comments
This sucks. When the Yotes return to Arizona we’ll need an owner who is willing to spend, and Ishbia doesn’t look to be that owner.
He’s basically Meruelo but his wealth is somehow even more dubious
I read this, but don’t believe it. United Wholesale Mortgage is the largest lender in the US for residential mortgages. It would be a huge story if it was in trouble. Ishbia is also worth, at last check, around $10 billion. Maybe Dan Gilbert is starting shit.
What is interesting is what news broke yesterday that the Ishiba family plans to eventually own the Chicago White Sox. Mat’s brother Justin would become the majority owner by no later than 2033 after Jerry Reinsdorf transfers his ownership to them. Their father would also be an investor. That team is in flux where they have asked Illinois for at least $1 billion toward a new ballpark in downtown Chicago. Instead, MLS’ Chicago Fire has all but snatched the site from under them and the White Sox still have no ballpark plan. Justin Ishiba has a stake in Nashville SC and with that connection, who knows if the White Sox may move there. Now even linked to Orlando.
This makes me wonder if Mat Ishiba will be the Suns and Mercury owner long term. Let’s say he puts up the basketball teams for sale, could that open the door for an owner or ownership group that wants to bring the NHL back also be interested in acquiring the Suns and Mercury? If so, could that lead to a potential new downtown Phoenix arena? That arena option likelihood would dramatically increase if a future owner does this. Yeah, a long shot right now… clearly. But who knows.
I’d rather not share a space with the Suns anyway in downtown Phoenix so don’t hate this. May delay process a bit though
Meruelo wanted a billion for a team that was worth 300-400 million. That’s why he didn’t buy it.