The NHL Board of Governors approved a new franchise for Utah for the 2024-25 season, officially ending the Arizona Coyotes’ time in the league. The Coyotes’ hockey assets, players, draft picks, and operations will all be transferred to Utah, where the team will now be based. The Smith Entertainment Group, owners of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, acquired the team and its assets for $1.2 billion from Alex Meruelo. The NHL decided to move the franchise due to Meruelo’s failure to secure a long-term arena solution in Arizona, leading to the sale to the Smiths. The new Utah franchise will play at the Delta Center, home of the Jazz, in its inaugural season.
Despite the emotional final regular-season game for the Coyotes in Arizona, where they defeated the Edmonton Oilers, the team will now be relocating to Utah. The Smiths expressed their excitement for bringing an NHL team to Utah and understood the responsibility that comes with being stewards of a new franchise. Meruelo retains the rights to reactivate a team in the next five years if a new state-of-the-art facility is built in Arizona. The NHL expressed its belief in Arizona’s hockey market and thanked Meruelo for his commitment to the franchise and the state.
The relocation of the Coyotes to Utah was a collaborative effort between the league and the Smith Entertainment Group, with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praising the Smiths for their willingness to resolve the complex situation and introduce a new franchise to Utah. Meruelo also expressed his commitment to the community by negotiating the right to reactivate the team within the next five years. The Coyotes’ players were informed of the relocation on Friday by the team’s general manager, Bill Armstrong, while on the road in Edmonton. The relocation marks the end of an era for the Coyotes in Arizona but offers a fresh start for NHL hockey in Utah.
The new Utah franchise’s name and logo are yet to be determined, with the possibility of using a temporary name and logo for the 2024-25 campaign. The team will play at the Delta Center, alongside the Utah Jazz, in what promises to be a transformative day for the state and the fans. The future of the Coyotes in Arizona remains uncertain, with Meruelo retaining the name, intellectual property, and records for the team. Plans for a new arena in north Phoenix are in progress, with a statewide auction for the land set for June 27. The Coyotes had previously faced challenges in securing a new arena in Arizona but remain committed to building a first-class sports arena and entertainment district without public financial support.
The Coyotes’ relocation to Utah marks a bittersweet moment for fans in Arizona, who have supported the team for nearly three decades. The NHL’s decision to move the franchise was driven by the need for a long-term arena solution in Arizona, which Meruelo had been unable to secure. The Smith Entertainment Group’s acquisition of the team and assets represents a new chapter for NHL hockey in Utah, with the promise of a vibrant and thriving future for the sport in the state. Despite the challenges of relocating a franchise, both the league and the new ownership group expressed their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for the players, staff, and fans involved.
