The Arizona Coyotes will be relocating to Utah, as the NHL has facilitated a sale of the team to Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Utah Jazz. This news was confirmed by general manager Bill Armstrong, who met with the team before their game against the Edmonton Oilers. The terms of the sale from current owner Alex Meruelo have not been disclosed.
Players had been seeking answers about their future, prompting Armstrong to fly up to Edmonton and break the news. The Coyotes are expected to begin playing at the Jazz’s Delta Center in Salt Lake City, which is owned by the Smiths. However, the NHL has stated that the arena will need hockey-specific upgrades to be the team’s permanent home.
The sale and move of the team follow years of struggles for the Coyotes to secure a new arena, whether in Phoenix or elsewhere. After Glendale terminated their lease for Gila River Arena in 2021, Mullett Arena became their temporary home while they searched for a new home. They considered bidding on land in Phoenix and exploring options in Tempe before finally deciding on Utah.
Gov. Spencer Cox has already approved a bill that would fund a renovated entertainment district downtown for a potential NHL team. The Coyotes will transition to Salt Lake City as they continue their search for success on this new frontier.
