The Arizona Coyotes are in the process of being sold and relocated to Utah, with negotiations involving Smith Entertainment Group. The team's general manager, Bill Armstrong, has informed the players of the potential move, which comes amid discussions of Alex Meruelo maintaining ownership of the Tucson Roadrunners and exploring their affiliation with the new Utah team. Despite the relocation not being officially announced, it is considered nearly guaranteed, with an announcement expected at the end of the NHL regular season. The decision is influenced by the indefinite timeline for a new arena in Arizona, prompting NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to advise the sale for the players' best interest. Furthermore, Meruelo has secured a contractual right to potentially reactivate the team in Arizona within five years if a new arena is built. The Coyotes' move to Utah is anticipated to be finalized shortly after the team's final game, with a sale price reported to be $1 billion to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith. This development does not signify the end of NHL in Arizona, as there are plans to bid on land for a future NHL arena in northeast Phoenix. The Coyotes beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Friday night after being informed of the team's expected move.
Final road game as an Arizona team? 🏒 The Calgary Flames rallied to beat the Coyotes 6-5 on Sunday. https://t.co/MKIxFwLzQo
Will this be the last week in Arizona for NHL Coyotes franchise? https://t.co/sX9eKVVEO9
Coyotes sale to Utah Jazz owner expected next week, Arizona to get expansion team #stgeorge #cedarcity #southernutah https://t.co/zTdu3m6WdP
Will this be the last week in Arizona for this NHL franchise? Time will tell https://t.co/DONwotDQHP
On Friday night, multiple outlets reported that Coyotes players have been informed of the move, and that they may be able to check out their new city as soon as next week. | By @ryanwmcdonald https://t.co/39aB0YAO97
Until we see specifics of the NHL’s agreement with Alex Meruelo and his window to bring hockey back to Arizona all we’ll have is questions about hockey returning to the desert. @JeffMarek explores that and more in this edition of Rink Fries. https://t.co/eOt7OvTL0q
As Coyotes era ends, so does three decades of bickering, turmoil and instability in Arizona By @eduhatschek https://t.co/A8aWbSsMkh
Coyotes’ failed run in Arizona might not mean end of NHL in desert https://t.co/KN03nVtsHN https://t.co/8kkaaHhuL1
AP: Coyotes sale to Utah Jazz owner expected next week, Arizona to get expansion team https://t.co/yd1IaBZuV0
The Arizona Coyotes will likely be sold to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith for $1 billion shortly after the team's final game, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday. https://t.co/mVSE0o3yBU
Coyotes owner says he can't yet address relocation rumors https://t.co/pJpWG8hGLi https://t.co/PlpJS3PQ9x
Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo addressed the franchise's uncertain future on Saturday https://t.co/nXrq1mVEGi
Coyotes sale to Utah Jazz owner expected next week, Arizona to get expansion team, AP source says https://t.co/jiy83Irzs2 https://t.co/LZFGNcqTH7
Reports of possible Tucson Roadrunners exit to Tempe heat up as NHL likely leaving Arizona https://t.co/I2hi41kiu6
"I am going to speak on all of these issues and publicly address all of your concerns as promptly as possible." - @ArizonaCoyotes owner Alex Meruelo #Yotes #NHL https://t.co/4unFIfJo7e
Coyotes owner releasing a statement saying he can’t speak on things yet but there’s a lot going on and it’s written in all caps. I dunno man. https://t.co/WErWrr7gLk
From Coyotes Ownership: https://t.co/3I81O08bq4
Statement from Arizona Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo. https://t.co/VFx9KlaKvy
As I reported on ABC intermission… expectation is deal to send Coyotes to Utah will be completed next week. Meanwhile, Alex Meruelo, business staff & AHL team will remain in Arizona—maintain youth hockey presence & try to win land auction for new arena….to bring the NHL back.
.@ArizonaCoyotes owner Alex Meruelo still plans to bid on land for a future @NHL arena in northeast Phoenix. #Yotes #NHL @AZSports https://t.co/fobxHa00Ku
On Friday evening, multiple outlets reported that current Coyotes players have been informed of the upcoming move. | By @ryanwmcdonald https://t.co/Z5nPvsKkMh
Nice work by @Gambo987, reporting that Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo "agreed to sell after he secured a contractual right to reactivate [team] within 5 years ... and trigger expansion draft if an arena is built." I talked about this scenario on THE DROP and the NHL's thinking here. https://t.co/H7LkYj8I0u
A final lament for the @ArizonaCoyotes before they slink out of the desert for their new NHL home in Utah. The fans and employees in Arizona deserved much more than they ever received from their NHL team. https://t.co/FTBgXnvaqr
Alex Meruelo will maintain ownership of the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL, which plays its games in Tucson, and they will negotiate to be an affiliate of the new team in Utah. They will explore options of having the Roadrunners play at Mullett Arena
Although the move has not officially been announced, it is nearly guaranteed. The official announcement is expected to come next week, at the end of the NHL regular season. Read more from Sports Editor Sean Overton below. #UofU #Utah #NHL #Hockey #SLC https://t.co/Kju40rQmFQ
Several reports on April 12 cited sources who said that Coyotes' general manager Bill Armstrong informed the players about a deal in the works to sell the team to new owners in Utah. https://t.co/XdYz9RM5Xy
Gary Bettman convinced Alex Meruelo that selling the franchise was in the best interest of the players because of the indefinite timeline for an arena. Meruelo agreed it was unfair to the players and that led us to where we are today.
The Arizona Coyotes beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Friday night after being informed of the team's expected move to Utah. 🏒 https://t.co/hGCm8iJR8U
NEWS: Negotiations toward Smith Entertainment Group’s purchase (and relocation) of the Arizona Coyotes have “a long way to go,” a source with knowledge of the situation told @FOS. The discussions with Coyotes players about relocation are grounded in that real possibility. https://t.co/dYrbNCy9Jg