The NHL is reportedly exploring the possibility of relocating the Arizona Coyotes to Utah as early as the 2024-25 season. Ryan and Ashley Smith, who own the NBA’s Utah Jazz, have applied to add an NHL team to their portfolio through expansion, but a potential relocation could fast-track this process. Reports suggest that the NHL is considering purchasing the Coyotes from current owner Alex Meruelo in a deal worth $1 billion and selling the franchise to the Smith Entertainment Group for $1.3 billion, with the remaining $300 million being split among league owners as a relocation fee.
The Coyotes have been struggling to find a permanent home since moving from Winnipeg in 1996. Meruelo’s plan for a $2.1 billion entertainment district in Tempe with a 16,000-seat arena was voted down in May 2023, prompting the organization to consider other options. Meruelo is now pursuing a 95-acre parcel of land in North Phoenix, which is set to be auctioned off on June 27. If successful, the Coyotes could have a new arena ready for the 2027-28 season. However, the late auction date could pose challenges for relocating the team by the 2024-25 season.
With the possibility of the Coyotes relocating to Utah, the NHL is closely monitoring the situation. The league is eager to expand into a growing market with a strong sports fan base, aligning with Ryan Smith’s goal to bring NHL hockey to his home state as quickly as possible. If the relocation to Utah is successful and Meruelo’s project in Phoenix moves forward, the league could potentially award a new expansion franchise in the future. Reports also suggest that Meruelo may have a five-year window to bring the Coyotes back under certain conditions, providing a potential path for the team to return to Arizona in the future.
The NHL Board of Governors has been updated on the potential sale and relocation of the Coyotes, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks. The Coyotes, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, have four games remaining in their regular-season schedule. The uncertainty surrounding the team’s future raises questions about whether their final game at Mullett Arena in the Valley of the Sun could be their last before relocating to Utah. As the league navigates the process of potentially moving the Coyotes, the future of NHL hockey in Arizona and Utah hangs in the balance, with stakeholders closely following developments in the coming weeks.
