Coyotes’ home arena now known as Gila River Arena

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The home of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes is now officially named the Gila River Arena.

A nine-year partnership between the team and Gila River Casinos announced last month was approved Tuesday by a 6-1 vote of the Glendale City Council.

A ceremony was held outside the arena Wednesday for the first naming-rights deal by a federally recognized tribe — the Gila River Indian Community — with a venue for one of the four major professional sports leagues.

The venue had been called Jobing.com Arena since 2006.

Coyotes president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc is hoping the Gila River Arena signage will be on the arena by the Oct. 9 season opener.

The team was purchased from the NHL by IceArizona before the 2013-14 season and renamed the Arizona Coyotes on June 27.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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