NHL GMs vote to finalize Coyotes relocation to Utah, release statement
Moments ago, the last official piece of news came down that makes the Coyotes relocation to Salt Lake City official. The NHL Board of Governors has officially approved the sale of the team.
According to several sources, the Board of Governors unanimously supported the deal to move the Coyotes out of Arizona. The decision was expected to come out today, the day after their final game of the season. In the coming days, Coyotes players and staff are expected to travel to Utah to visit the facilities, but at this point it's very unclear which if any staff will be retained. The Coyotes franchise has been officially declared inactive, but Alex Meruelo will be able to re-enter the league with the Coyotes name within 5 years if he can procure an arena and the expansion fee.
It was always very clear that Gary Bettman had a vision for hockey growing in Arizona, but the absolute unprecedented failure by ownership at all levels completely stopped the fan base from supporting the team. The NHL has given Meruelo and the Coyotes an avenue to come back, but it would feel like a mistake to ever get in business with him again after the Mullet Arena disaster.
» 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. We are also delighted to welcome Ashley and Ryan Smith to the NHL family and know they will be great stewards of the game in Utah. We thank them for working so collaboratively with the League to resolve a complex situation in this unprecedented and beneficial way.
Gary Bettman delivered a statement to the press as well, expressing his sadness for leaving Arizona, his continued belief in the market, and his excitement for Utah.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Arizona Coyotes will return to the NHL via relocation in five years? | ||
| Yes, they'll be back | 199 | 28.8 % |
| No way | 462 | 66.9 % |
| See Results | 30 | 4.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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