Coyotes owner reportedly trying to sell the team, relocation likely
Moments ago, a bombshell report surfaced that Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo is looking for suitors to purchase the team.
»Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has spoken to multiple potential buyers � who are in the state and outside of it � to gauge their interest in purchasing the NHL franchise from him, Arizona Sports'�John Gambadoro reports.»
The Coyotes are currently operating without an actual NHL calibre arena, stuck in the Arizona State University rink with no concrete plans to build anything. Rumours of relocation have been mounting with destinations including Utah and Atlanta, and that could be very possible if someone buys the team.
»Meruelo reportedly was seeking upward of $1 billion for the franchise that he bought in July 2019. The Coyotes owner had a recent meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman regarding the team's future, Gambadoro adds.»
According to the report from Gambadoro, Meruelo last tested potential buyers in 2019 with a sale price of $1B. The entry fee for an expansion team has been set by the Kraken at a value of just over $1B, so if a potential owner in Utah or Atlanta wanted to buy the team, relocation could be a very easy process.
Even the Coyotes social media accounts were getting emotional and reminiscing on their time in the desert, posting a message that seemed like a goodbye.
We'll have to see how it shapes up, but Meruelo selling the Coyotes could happen very quickly with so many prospective owners looking to relocate, and it could bring the team out of the desert very quickly. Get ready for a new NHL team hockey fans!
| POLL | ||
Will an owner buy the Arizona Coyotes and relocate them? | ||
| Yes, to Utah | 108 | 38.2 % |
| Yes, to Atlanta | 35 | 12.4 % |
| Yes, to Quebec City | 103 | 36.4 % |
| No, Coyotes stay | 37 | 13.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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