Alex Meruelo, the owner of the Arizona Coyotes, faced defiance and harsh criticism as he was forced to sell the franchise by the NHL. Despite the team’s impending move to Salt Lake City and the preparations being made by players and staff for the transition, Meruelo continued to assert that he was still the owner and merely sent the team’s operations to Utah. His relationship with reality seemed casual at best, as he refused to accept blame for losing the team.
The NHL has long pursued a successful franchise in Arizona, seeing it as an opportunity to diversify the fanbase and grow hockey in the region. However, the Coyotes faced numerous challenges over the years, including bankruptcy, arena issues, and ownership changes. Meruelo was initially viewed as a potential savior for the team when he bought it in 2019, but his tenure was marked by financial issues, unpaid bills, and strained relationships with partners.
Meruelo’s failure to secure a long-term home for the Coyotes became a major obstacle during his ownership. Despite promising a new arena in Tempe, negotiations with the city fell through, leading to the team’s eviction from their Glendale arena. Meruelo’s brash and arrogant approach hindered his efforts to gain support from political and business communities, ultimately leading to the team’s relocation to Utah.
Following the rejection of a proposed development plan in Tempe, the Coyotes began exploring opportunities for relocating the team. Meruelo was unable to secure land in north Phoenix due to infrastructure costs and delays, leading to the decision to sell the franchise to Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz. The league deemed it unfair for players to continue in subpar facilities and pushed for the sale, leading to the end of Meruelo’s tumultuous ownership.
As part of the sale, Meruelo will retain the exclusive right to bring a team back to Arizona in the future, but the likelihood of that happening is uncertain. Despite receiving a substantial payout from the sale, Meruelo’s legacy as the owner of the Coyotes is marred by controversy and criticism. The team’s employees and fans expressed a mix of anger and disappointment over the franchise’s tumultuous journey under Meruelo’s leadership.
In the end, Meruelo’s tenure as the owner of the Coyotes was marked by financial turmoil, failed promises, and a lack of support from the community. His defiant attitude and questionable business practices ultimately led to the team’s relocation to Utah and left a bitter taste in the mouths of players, employees, and fans. Whether he will be able to bring a team back to Arizona in the future remains to be seen, but his legacy with the Coyotes is one of missed opportunities and broken promises.
