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How Meruelo can bring hockey, and the Coyotes, back to Arizona

Alex Meruelo. Thomas Hawthorne, Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC

How Alex Meruelo can bring hockey, and the Coyotes, back to Arizona

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/18/24

On Thursday, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes. While the bones of the franchise, including roster, draft picks and hockey operations, will head to Salt Lake City, Utah, the Coyotes aren't dead yet.

Technically, for now, the Coyotes are an "inactive" NHL team, while the franchise that continues to play in Salt Lake City will be sold to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and operate as a separate entity.

That sticking point allows now ex-owner Alex Meruelo the opportunity to resurrect the team in Arizona, with the only stumbling block being the construction of a new arena.

The NHL's deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski that if Meruelo secures a new arena in Arizona, the Coyotes' reactivation won't require league approval.

According to the league, Meruelo must have a "fully constructed new, state-of-the-art facility appropriate for an NHL team within five years." If successful, the Coyotes would essentially re-join the league as an expansion club.

Board of Governors call has just wrapped up. Sources say it was a yes vote on Coyotes sale and re-location to Salt Lake City.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 18, 2024

"The NHL's belief in Arizona has never wavered. We thank Alex Meruelo for his commitment to the franchise and Arizona, and we fully support his ongoing efforts to secure a new home in the desert for the Coyotes," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "We also want to acknowledge the loyal hockey fans of Arizona, who have supported their team with dedication for nearly three decades while growing the game."

As far as Meruelo's pursuit of a new arena goes, he recently committed to bidding on 110 acres of state-owned land in Phoenix. There, he hopes to build a sports and entertainment district, including a 17,000-seat hockey arena.

However, there's no guarantee that Meruelo will be able to win the bid. In February, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said, "It doesn't sound promising," insinuating that the process won't be easy to pull off.

While an arena is the primary concern regarding the future of the Coyotes, the NHL's choice to allow Meruelo the opportunity to be the leader of the potential resurrection is puzzling, to say the least.

Under Mereulo, the Coyotes have been teetering on the edge of disaster. After narrowly avoiding eviction from their previous home, Gila River Arena, due to unpaid bills, the city of Glendale later chose not to renew its lease with the team.

Shortly thereafter, the Coyotes began play in the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena, home to the Arizona State hockey team in Tempe.

While there's still a glimmer of hope that the Coyotes will one day retake the ice in Arizona, the franchise is clearly on life support.

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