from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

An improved financial picture for the Arizona Coyotes will see the city of Glendale receive a “17 per cent” increase in the revenue it receives from the NHL team and its arena operation this year, according to co-owner, president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc.

As part of the annual $15-million management fee the organization receives for running Gila River Arena, money is generated for the city through parking, taxes and other surcharges.

When the arena management agreement was signed with Glendale in 2013 the goal was to eventually return approximately $9-million to the city annually, according to LeBlanc, who added that a more lucrative naming rights deal has helped the Coyotes take a step in the right direction.

“Last year we came in somewhere between $6- and $7-(million), this year it’s going to be between $7- and $8-(million),” LeBlanc told Sportsnet in a recent interview. “I mean we’re trending this thing completely towards (our goal).

continued