The Arizona Coyotes have officially set their sights on Salt Lake City.
In a landmark decision, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously greenlit a monumental $1.2 billion sale orchestrated by Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith. This pivotal move paves the way for the franchise’s relocation to Utah in the upcoming season.
Under the terms of the deal, a stipulation allows Arizona the opportunity to secure an expansion team if a new arena materializes within the next five years. The transaction, facilitated through the NHL, entails a $200 million relocation fee disbursed to league owners.
Ryan Smith assumes control of the franchise’s hockey operations, while Meruelo remains steadfast in overseeing business operations in Arizona, with aspirations to procure and develop a parcel of land for a prospective new arena in north Phoenix.
Meruelo retains ownership of the Tucson Roadrunners, the franchise’s AHL affiliate, with intentions to transition them to Mullett Arena, the Coyotes’ interim home shared with Arizona State University over the past two seasons. His strategy involves reimbursing the $1 billion sum once approval for an expansion team is granted.
Preserving the Coyotes’ brand identity, Meruelo retains the team’s name, logo, and trademarks, necessitating a rebranding effort by Smith’s consortium. In the interim, the team is slated to compete at Delta Center, home of the Jazz, until the construction of a new arena comes to fruition.
This monumental sale marks the denouement of the Coyotes’ protracted quest for a permanent home.
Having traversed through various venues, from sharing an arena with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns to subsequent relocations to Glendale and Mullett Arena, the franchise’s journey has been fraught with uncertainty.
Meruelo, steadfast in his commitment to retaining ownership, eventually pivoted towards relinquishing control amidst logistical challenges surrounding the acquisition of land for a prospective new arena.
As the Coyotes bid farewell to Arizona with a triumphant 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, the team and its devoted fans celebrated their time together, emblematic of an era drawing to a close.
“It’s tough to take it all in,” Coyotes rookie forward Logan Cooley said. “A lot of noise, a lot of personal stuff and obviously the organization, you hear you’re going one spot then you’re going to the next spot. We’ve done a good job in this locker room focusing on keeping out the noise and getting better as a team, striving to be the team we want to be one day.”
With Salt Lake City’s municipal authorities and proponents of the city’s 2034 Olympic bid rallying behind Smith’s ambitious endeavor, Utah is poised to embrace its newfound status as home to two major professional sports franchises.
“This announcement is about more than bringing an NHL team to Salt Lake City — it’s a defining moment in our trajectory, becoming a catalyst for a positive vision that integrates community, connection, and more possibilities for families, residents, and visitors to experience our capital city,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement.
“I’m thankful for the close partnership with Ryan & Ashley Smith, and the entire SEG team. This is the beginning of a new era that will generate exciting opportunities for our communities, amplify pride and unlock new potential in our downtown core.”
