from Paul Giblin of the Arizona Republic,

A linchpin of the deal that kept the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale was expected revenue from parking and other fees.

But the hockey franchise’s new parking plan depends partially on the far-fetched scenario that hockey fans will pay $10 to $30 to park in lots controlled by the team, rather than access free parking in adjacent lots — some of which are closer to the arena.

Both the Coyotes’ lots and the free lots are within the Westgate Entertainment District, which features Jobing.com Arena, the AMC Westgate 20 movie theater and about 25 bars, restaurants and retail outlets.

The Coyotes manage about 5,500 parking spaces in the entertainment district, while Westgate manages about 3,000.

Previously, most parking for Coyotes games was free.

That will change with the first 2013-14 preseason game on Sept. 15, when the Coyotes will become the final team in the National Hockey League to charge for all spaces the team controls.

Parking fees are critical to the Coyotes’ new management-agreement with Glendale to run the city-owned arena where the Coyotes have played since 2003.

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