Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas fears the nation could lose a "generation of great rugby players" because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Thomas says young players are motivated by watching their heroes on TV and could lose interest with Pro14 suspended from March until August.

In Wales the new domestic club rugby season will not start in September and could be delayed until January 2021.

"I'm worried about the future of the game," Thomas told BBC Radio Wales.

The ex-British and Irish Lions captain says a lack of opportunity to play or watch rugby could have a detrimental effect.

"I'm worried about the next generation of players because people get motivated by turning on the television and seeing their heroes play and if they don't see their heroes play, then their motivation or drive to want to play for Wales might go into wanting to do something else," Thomas added.

"Or there might be this gap in children being able to go out and play or children being able to go out and train whether it be under-16s, under-15s, under-10s level.

"And that gap might actually may lead to them thinking: 'Do you know what? I'm not sure if I want to go back to rugby.'

"So I just hope that we don't lose a generation of great rugby stars through this small window of the lack of ability of people being able to go out and play rugby; to be able to go out and train and have that excitement."

Less pressure on Pivac after absence

Thomas, who was capped 100 times by his country, believes the pressure on Wayne Pivac, Warren Gatland's successor as Wales coach, has eased during lockdown.

Gatland left after a 12-year stint which in Six Nations terms ended as it started, with a Grand Slam, two of the three Wales won during his era.

Pivac's tenure began with a win - against Italy - and defeats by Ireland, France and England, with their remaining 2020 tournament game against Scotland yet to be rescheduled.

"This season was always going to be difficult for Wales because it is the post-Warren Gatland era," said Thomas, who retired in 2007.

"He is the most successful coach ever to lead Wales, so it was always going to be an added pressure and an added sense of expectancy for the players.

"They have been in games, they have been in it until the very end and showed great character, and there have been times where under Gatland things would have gone their way like 50-50s, but the 50-50s for Pivac weren't going their way.

"But they played a brand of rugby and a style people were starting to enjoy and were excited about and then all of a sudden coronavirus came along and everything stopped.

"Getting back to rugby for Wales, I think this could maybe be a welcome break because all of a sudden people will stop saying this is post-Warren Gatland.

"Gats is back in New Zealand and coaching the Chiefs so suddenly the focus and the energy can be towards not this team's era under Gatland, but to be fully focused on the now and what Pivac can bring to the team."

Thomas' Tackle HIV campaign

Thomas is also hoping to make his own big difference in people's perceptions of and attitudes towards those, like him, who are living with HIV.

In September, 2019, Thomas revealed he is HIV positive and set out to break the stigma and misunderstanding around the condition.

He is now leading the Tackle HIV campaign in partnership with ViiV Healthcare and the Terrence Higgins Trust, with the aim of addressing those issues.

Thomas said: "We did a survey just prior to the launch of this campaign and more than half of people surveyed said they felt that they still were able to contract HIV from somebody else even if they were on effective treatment.

"Two thirds of them said they would end, or consider ending, a relationship if they found out someone was HIV (positive).

"Something that was really important to me was a fact that a third of the people who we surveyed said they wouldn't take part in a contact sport if they knew somebody on their team or on the opposition team was living with HIV and on effective treatment.

"And that says to me there's still a huge amount of misunderstanding, a huge amount of stigma still out there and we need to continuously have this conversation to quash these statements, quash this misunderstanding."

Cardiff Blues have confirmed the signing of Wales forward Cory Hill "on a long-term deal".

The 28-year-old, who has 25 caps and has co-captained Wales, started his career at Blues, playing for Moseley briefly in 2013 before joining Dragons.

Dragons announced in April that lock or back row Hill - whose contract was up - was leaving and asked Welsh rugby bodies to "look into the move".

"I'm really excited to be returning to Cardiff Blues," Hill said.

"This is where I began my career, where I came through the ranks and I have a huge amount of friends at the club.

"I will always be grateful to the Dragons, and their supporters, for the seven years I enjoyed at Rodney Parade. I have so many fond memories and immense pride from captaining them.

"However, I feel now is the time for a fresh challenge and a new direction in my career. There is a huge amount of talent in the Blues squad and a lot of young boys coming through with potential."

Hill played 110 games for Dragons and captained the side 30 times.

The 6ft 5in player made his Wales debut against Australia in 2016 and can play second row or flanker.

Initially selected for the 2017 Wales summer tour of Tonga and Samoa, in June of that year Hill was called up for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand as an injury replacement.

Hill was co-captain of Wales' summer 2018 tour matches against Argentina and South Africa alongside Ellis Jenkins and scored a memorable try in the 2019 Six Nations win over England.

He travelled to Japan as part of the 2019 World Cup squad, but injury ruled him out during the tournament.

Hill was back for the 2020 Six Nations, helping Wales beat Italy in coach Wayne Pivac's first tournament game in charge.

He missed the next three matches through injury before being recalled for Wales' final Six Nations match against Scotland on 14 March before the game was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wales could play at Wembley in the autumn if it is more profitable for the Welsh Rugby Union than hosting games behind closed doors at home.

Games postponed in the 2020 Six Nations because of the coronavirus pandemic are yet to be rescheduled, including Wales' final home match against Scotland.

Chairman Gareth Davies says the WRU is assessing all scenarios for games.

"We'll look at the options in Wales, then you've got the different scenarios of will there be crowds?" Davies said.

"The [Welsh government] First Minister [Mark Drakeford] even two weeks ago said there wouldn't be mass gatherings in Wales this year.

"So that can change, obviously, but I just think we have to have various plans in sight and that's what we're doing at the moment."

He said the governing body would have to look at playing at Wembley if crowds were allowed in England and not Wales.

Wales played at Wembley while their Cardiff home was being demolished and rebuilt as the Millennium Stadium, now renamed the Principality Stadium, before the 1999 World Cup.

The last of those games became a dramatic 1999 Five Nations finale win over England in which Scott Gibbs scored one of the most celebrated tries in the nation's history.

Returning there is an option as the WRU deals with a possible £50m hit to its finances caused by no income if games are not rescheduled.

Asked if returning to Wembley is an option, Davies told BBC Radio Wales: "That's a lot of speculation, but having said that I think it's a case of we're looking at all options.

"It's quite a unique position we're finding ourselves in in the sense that it's continual scenario planning.

"This week we've been on with the Six Nations, yesterday we were on with the British Lions and every aspect you look at, it's really down to scenario planning, but there is no certainty.

"So... it's a case of yes, looking at fixtures for the autumn; we'd obviously hope there would be games in the autumn first of all.

"Secondly, where do we play those? Obviously that is driven by crowds or not and if it's no crowds, then yes, we've got Parc y Scarlets, Rodney Parade or whatever you can play in Wales.

"I suppose if there were crowds allowed in England and not in Wales, which you know could be a scenario, so from a financial point of view I think we'd have to look at that."

Wales were scheduled to play a June Test in Japan before two more tours games against New Zealand, games that fell victim to rugby's global hibernation.

World Rugby remains hopeful of tour matches being rescheduled during the autumn.

Wales' autumn schedule originally included hosting Fiji and Davies says they and Japan could yet feature on a home schedule.

"There's no certainty that all the southern hemisphere teams will come up - if that doesn't happen there's a possibility we'll play a Six Nations competition plus two extra fixtures against Japan and Fiji," said Davies.

"Those are the two frontrunners. People are talking about South Africa and the Barbarians too, but we're looking at all our options.''

Global talks 'are slipping'

Talks involving World Rugby and leading clubs from Europe about a revamped 2020 calendar and the future beyond that have yet to be finalised.

Leading clubs in England and France are resisting a calendar revamp that would see their domestic leagues play during summer months.

A 30 June deadline had been set for the sport's future to be settled, including when the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa would take place.

"Things are slipping, I will say that," said Davies.

"We were hoping to have decisions, say, on the Lions tour for next year by 30 June.

"But again there are other moving parts that's now pushed that back a couple of weeks, so there will be slippage in this.

"And I think everybody's keeping an eye as well on the progress that is being made in controlling the virus.

"The positive is that the north and south have been talking and are generally in agreement in terms of how the international calendar could look.

"Obviously there are other factors coming into it now, in particular the French and English domestic leagues in particular."

He added: "This is an opportunity and if it's not taken now you almost think well it can never be taken."

CONCORD, N.C. – Charlotte Motor Speedway will host a first-of-its kind Speedway Children’s Charities fundraiser on Wednesday, July 1, bringing the cult-classic movie “The Goonies” to life on the speedway’s 16,000-square-foot HDTV.

Families can tune in from the comfort and safety of their vehicles through an FM radio transmitter, practicing safe social distancing all while enjoying the popular 1985 adventure-comedy.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie is scheduled to begin 7 p.m.

Following the show, guests will be treated to one of the first Fourth of July fireworks spectacles in the region, as a dazzling pyrotechnic display lights up the night at approximately 9 p.m.

“What better way to kick off a fun-filled holiday weekend than spending time with family, enjoying a classic movie and giant fireworks display under the stars,” said Kelly Watts, executive director of the Charlotte chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. “All of that while supporting Speedway Children’s Charities, giving back to communities in need right here in the Charlotte region, and you just can’t beat a night at the drive-in.”

Admission is just $40 per car, with proceeds benefiting the Charlotte chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

Restroom facilities will be available. Otherwise, guests will be asked to remain in their vehicles to follow the latest best practices for social distancing.

Speedway Children’s Charities will host a second drive-in movie night on July 8, with the 2016 animated film “The Secret Life of Pets” lighting up the screen.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. Entry for July 8 is $30 per car.

CONCORD, N.C. – For the first time in tour history, the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models and DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds will race over two phases to complete the 2020 schedule.

Both tours are set to race 26 times in 46 days over seven calendar weeks.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced the delay of the entire tour, pushing the schedule back by just over three weeks. DIRTcar officials have since reorganized the schedule and divided the tour into two halves that will host spectators at all events.

The spectator capacity for each event will be determined by the track, following the guidelines on mass gatherings set forth by local municipalities.

Fans are encouraged to check with their local track’s website and social media channels for updates on the number of spectators permitted at the facility on race day.

The tour’s opening phase for both series will be at Indiana’s Brownstown Speedway on Wednesday, July 8, and concludes with a stop at Belle-Clair Speedway on Sunday, July 26.

The modified action resumes with the second phase at Fairbury Speedway on Friday, July 31, and the late model action resumes Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Sycamore Speedway before both tours wrap up and crown champions Saturday, Aug. 22 at Oakshade Raceway.

The break in the action allows Late Model drivers to participate in Fairbury Speedway’s Prairie Dirt Classic and Cedar Lake Speedway’s USA Nationals, both featuring the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models.

Friday and Saturday night late model races will still pay $10,000 to the winner; the other days of the week will serve as $5,000-to-win shows.

The late model champion’s check will be worth $25,000 and the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds will battle for $5,000.

Weekly point funds for the late models will also be distributed throughout the schedule.

WHEATLAND, Mo. – Following a season in which he captured pro late model track titles on the asphalt at both Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Bolivar Speedway, Brennon Willard knew it was time for a change.

The 36-year-old now finds himself behind the wheel of a dirt super late model for the first time, contending for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors with the Lucas Oil MLRA.

Willard piloted a dirt B-Mod for a short stint nearly 10 years ago, before returning to his asphalt roots and the confines of Lebanon I-44, which his family owns and operates.

He expects the upcoming season to present its share of challenges, but is looking forward to traveling with the MLRA and being able to focus solely on his racing program.

“After last season I decided I was tired of not getting to go racing and have fun, so I traded Mike Marlar my asphalt late model for one of his dirt late models,” said Willard. “Being able to go race and have fun and not having to worry about running the race track side of things, like worrying if the line-ups are right or if the hot dogs are right at the concession stand, is the most gratifying thing about the transition.”

In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2020 season, Willard made yet another move by trading his newly acquired Longhorn Chassis for a Barry Wright Race Car.

The move to the BWRC matches him to the same chassis make used by his father in the 80’s and to that of his longtime friend and MLRA regular, Tony Jackson Jr.

“Our set-ups are basically the same, and our crew guys go back and forth, so it’s just nice being able to share knowledge,” Willard said of Jackson. “When we raced asphalt together we liked very similar race car set-ups, so I think on dirt it will be the same way eventually once I get it figured out.”

As Willard continues down the MLRA trail, he expressed how critical seat time will be to his progression towards the top.

“With asphalt you practice for hours, but with dirt you only get a lap and a half. We’re going to tracks I have never been to before, and only getting a lap and a half of practice and then having to go right out and qualify,” Willard pointed out. “That part is very tough.”

After getting acclimated to the strong caliber of competition in the series opening weekend, Willard now has his sights set on a more familiar venue, as the MLRA rolls into Lucas Oil Speedway Wednesday night.

“I’m looking forward to Wheatland. We’ve at least gotten to practice there, so I’ve probably got about 60 laps around that place,” Willard noted. “It’s going to be the first track all year that I have actually been to and driven on.”

With 16 events remaining on the MLRA schedule, the driver of the Hudson Feed and Grain No. 3w acknowledged the battle for the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie award will be uphill, yet a challenge he is looking forward to trying to conquer.

“I know how tough it is, and it seems like this year’s field of cars in the MLRA may be the toughest it has been in recent years, so it isn’t going to be easy,” he said. “I feel like the only way to learn and get better is to go race against the best and obviously we are doing that right now. I raced some of the biggest races on asphalt and got my butt kicked because I wanted to know where I stood. We may not be very good right now, but I’m going to get better every time on the race track.

“You have to rise up to the people around you, so that’s what I’m going to make myself do.”

LEXINGTON, Ohio – The Trans-Am Series presented by Pirelli is set for its 33rd visit to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the June 26-28 Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio.

Trans-Am made its Mid-Ohio debut as part of its second season, with Jerry Titus winning in a Ford Mustang fielded by the legendary Carroll Shelby.

Roger Penske took back-to-back victories in 1968-69, with Mark Donohue and Ronnie Bucknum piloting his Chevrolet Camaros.

Other winners during the Golden Years were George Follmer, who won for Bud Moore in a Mustang in both 1970 and 1971, and Milt Minter, who triumphed in a Herb Adams Pontiac Firebird in 1972.

After a nine-year hiatus, Trans Am returned in 1982, with Elliott Forbes-Robinson winning in a Joe Huffaker Pontiac Trans-Am. Willy T. Ribbs claimed victory in 1983, driving Neil DeAtley’s Camaro.

Trans Am ran 10 consecutive seasons beginning in 1985. Jack Roush won four of them, with Wally Dallenbach (1985 in a Mercury Capri), Scott Pruett (1987 in a Mercury Merkur XR4Ti), Dorsey Schroeder (1989 in a Ford Mustang), and Tommy Kendall (1994 in a Mustang).

Greg Pickett (1986 and 1992 in a Camaro) and Darin Brassfield (1990-91 in a Rocketsports Oldmobile Cutlass) were two-time winners, while Jack Baldwin triumphed in 1993 in Buz McCall’s Camaro and Hans Stuck won in 1988 in a Group 44 Audi Quattro.

“I always enjoyed racing at Mid-Ohio, and I always felt I had a chance to win there,” Brassfield said. “We spent a lot of time there testing – it was one of Rocketsports’ test tracks. I also won a couple of times there in IMSA. The key was probably having a well-balanced car. It was also relatively hard on brakes, because the backstraight is downhill.

“Even though it seems you’re turning right all the time, there are also significant left-handers that mean a lot.”

The series raced six times over the next two decades. Paul Gentilozzi won three straight times with three different makes: 1998 (Corvette), 1999 (Mustang) and 2001 (Jaguar XKR).

Butch Leitzinger triumphed in 2002 in a Tom Gloy Corvette, while Jorge Diaz Jr. won in 2009 in a Jaguar XKR.

Trans Am returned in 2012, and has competed at Mid-Ohio annually since. Ernie Francis is riding a six-year winning streak (coinciding with his championships), winning in TA3 in 2014-15; TA4 in 2016; and TA from 2017-19.

“Honestly, I just can’t wait to get back to real racing – I don’t care which track it is,” Francis said. “I’ve just been sitting here staring at my race car, getting ready to get back behind the wheel again. I have a lot of good memories of racing at Mid-Ohio, and it seems every time we go back there we get pretty good new ones. They’ve all been pretty good victories.

“Last year was nice. We had Boris Said out there and a bunch of other drivers who were fast. That made for a nice victory for us.”

Simon Gregg is a two-time Mid-Ohio winner, scoring in 2012 and 2016 in Jim Derhaag’s Corvette. Other TA winners include Cliff Ebben in 2013 (Mustang); Doug Peterson in 2014 (Corvette); and Paul Fix in 2015 (Corvette).

In TA2, races were won by Bob Stretch (2012), Cameron Lawrence (2013), Adam Andretti (2014), Gar Robinson (2015), Lawrence Loshak (2016), Tony Buffomante (2017), Rafa Matos (2018) and Marc Miller (2019).

Miller won in a Dodge Challenger and Buffomante in a Ford Mustang; the other TA2 races were won by Chevrolet Camaros.

Mark Boden is also a three-time winner at the circuit, in TA3 in 2017 and 2018 in addition to SGT in 2019, driving a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup.

The weekend kicks off on Thursday for Trans Am with a mixed-class test. Friday opens with an official practice with split qualifying sessions in the afternoon for TA/XGT/SGT/GT, followed by a late practice session for the TA2 group.

Saturday TA/XGT/SGT/GT opens the day with a 100-mile (or 65 minutes) feature starting at 1:25 p.m. Eastern, followed by a 20-minute TA2 qualifying at 5:55 p.m. Eastern.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with the TA2 100-mile race (or 65 minutes) at 1:45 p.m. Eastern.

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – Brady Bacon, Justin Grant and Kevin Thomas Jr. are three individuals who have found recent AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series success at Plymouth Speedway.

All three are amped up and vying to become the first two-time USAC winner at the track in Friday night’s event at the three-eighths-mile dirt oval in Plymouth, Ind.

Grant, from Ione, Calif., found instant success in the series’ inaugural visit to Plymouth in 2017, leading all 30 laps wire-to-wire. In the process, he established the 30-lap track record of 7:36.34.

Grant has been a solid citizen at Plymouth in all four of his previous USAC visits, including an eighth in May 2018, a fourth in July 2018 and a third in 2019. He leads the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car standings entering Friday’s event.

Of note, Grant recently won back to back at both 34 Raceway in Iowa and Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Missouri during the first weekend of June.

Also a two-time winner in 2020 is Brady Bacon, a USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car winner at Plymouth in July 2018.

Bacon won consecutive races at Florida’s Bubba Raceway Park in February and is third in the standings coming into Friday.

He’s also had his share of success at Plymouth with a fifth in May 2018, then won his heat and led the final 15 laps en route to victory in July 2018.

Bacon was also fourth in 2019 and led six laps mid-race.

Thomas owns a pair of USAC National Sprint Car track records at Plymouth. The 10-lap record of 2:12.03 from May 2018 belongs to the Cullman, Ala., driver, as does the 12-lap standard from July 2018 at 2:43.81.

He swept the night in May 2018 by setting fast qualifying time, winning his heat race and putting the cherry on top with a feature win, leading the last eight laps in a race that was ultimately decided on a last lap battle for the victory with Robert Ballou.

Additionally, Thomas won his heat in 2017 and has added another pair of top-10 runs, a 10th in 2017 and a ninth in July 2018. Thomas also won his first career NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series feature at Plymouth back in 2015.

Ballou has been strong since his return from a near one-year absence from AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car racing due to injury, notching a seventh at 34 Raceway, a third at I-55 and a second in the most recent race at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. behind first-time series winner Stephen Schnapf.

At Plymouth, Ballou briefly led the aforementioned final-lap scramble with Thomas in 2018 and wound up finishing third after blitzing through the field to earn hard charger honors from 11th.

In each of the last three USAC sprint races at Plymouth, Chase Stockon has led laps. He led two in May 2018 in finishing fourth. In July of that same year, the 2019 Jason Leffler Memorial Award winner won his heat and led the first 15 laps before dropping back to seventh in the final rundown.

Stockon, who aims to make his 300th consecutive AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car start on Friday, led the opening lap in 2019 and finished eighth.

In his first visit to Plymouth in 2017, Stockon set quick time during qualifying, won his heat race and took home a sixth-place finish in the feature.

Chris Windom runs second overall in the series standings, 15 behind Grant, and is still seeking his first win in the division for 2020. He’s already won twice in NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget action and he leads the points there.

Windom has been a consistent contender at Plymouth in USAC sprint cars as well, with an eighth in 2017, a heat race victory in May 2018, a second in July 2018, and in the most recent trip in 2019, led 11 laps and finished sixth.

C.J. Leary is a past winner in a sprint car at Plymouth, winning the unsanctioned Tony Elliott Classic there in 2016. He also holds claim to the one-lap USAC track record around Plymouth at 12.996, set in July 2018.

The 2019 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car champion has seen progressively improved results in recent Plymouth events, finishing 10th in May 2018, eighth in July 2018 and finishing runner-up to Tyler Courtney in 2019.

Carson Short, fresh off his first career World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win at Tri-State Speedway last weekend, has had a pair of solid results in recent times at Plymouth under the USAC banner, finishing seventh in May 2018 and upping it to a best of sixth in July 2018.

Dave Darland recently moved to second on the USAC National Sprint Car division’s fast qualifier list with the 61st of his career at Tri-State, four behind Tom Bigelow’s 65.

He does own a series record 62 wins and would like nothing better than to win a 63rd Friday at Plymouth, where he led a lap in May 2018 and ran sixth, then won his heat and finished third in July 2018.

Anton Hernandez continues to learn the ropes of the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car circuit and has shown great speed, with a pair of top-10 finishes during the first five races of the campaign, a pair of eighth place finishes at Ocala and I-55.

Coming into the season, Hernandez had never competed in a USAC National Sprint Car event. The series’ top rookie thus far, Hernandez stands 11th in the points coming in and makes his USAC debut at Plymouth Friday.

Friday at Plymouth, the grandstands open at 4 p.m. ET, with hot laps set for 6 p.m. Along with the sprint cars, the event card also features 600cc non-wing micros and 4 Cylinders.

New Arizona Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez says his top focus is finding a long-term arena solution to keep the team in Arizona.

It's a yearslong issue for the franchise that he now inherits.

"I know there have been a lot of conversations before I've gotten here," Gutierrez told ESPN. "I'm going to reengage in all of the conversations that have been had, and start to go down the road of what makes sense. When I took the job, [owner] Alex Meruelo told me finding a solution for where we should be located was priority one through five. I thought it was one through five, and he quickly corrected me and said, 'No, it's priority one through 10 for you.'"

Meruelo took over majority ownership of the Coyotes last year, becoming the first Latino owner in league history. Meruelo hired Gutierrez in June, making him the NHL's first Latino chief executive.

The Coyotes have played at Gila Arena in Glendale since 2003, but have been looking for a new home that is closer to their fan base for the past several years. The Coyotes, who will play in the NHL's 24-team postseason, finished 28th in league attendance for 2019-20, averaging 14,605 fans, which is roughly 85% capacity.

When Meruelo took over, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters that the Coyotes needed a new arena "because Glendale is not viable long term."

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly added that the league hoped Meruelo would be the one to "crack the code." The Coyotes are often mentioned in relocation rumors, though none have been substantiated. The team is scheduled to switch from the Pacific Division to the Central Division when Seattle joins the NHL in 2021-22.

The Coyotes are in a year-to-year lease with Gila Arena, and have already committed to playing there for next season.

"It's been year-to-year to date, but with this pause, we are evaluating whether that is the right approach," Gutierrez said. "The reality is, there is an option to stay here for longer. There are options for new arenas elsewhere. But you don't just go to Home Depot and pop up a new arena so it's going to take a little bit of time. So what we're evaluating is whether continuing the year-to-year, or even a mid-term commitment, makes sense if we do really pursue a new stadium."

Gutierrez said any discussions around the new arena circle around the idea: what makes the most sense for long-term prosperity for the franchise. Gutierrez, who attended Harvard and Stanford Law School, has an investment background, and has also started a real estate private equity firm.

"The East Valley [in the Phoenix metropolitan area] is certainly where you see a lot of the corporate growth," Gutierrez said. "What you're seeing now, here in the East Valley, is the pop-up of the capital coming to what is clearly a growth-technology center. A perfect example of that is Silicon Valley Bank, for the first time ever, having a branch here."

Meruelo said that if it were not for COVID-19, the team would be "much further ahead" on arena plans. "It's really set us back at least six to nine months," the owner said.

Gutierrez is also committed to expanding the fan base -- reaching what he calls "hockey fans in waiting" -- by specifically targeting youth, women and Latinos.