Alex Meruelo Goes to Arizona Coyotes – Sources – Hockey Writers – NHL News
Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has reportedly told staff there will be no pursuit of new stadium options. This comes just days after the announcement that the Arizona State Land Development auction was canceled, which was an important part of the successful plan to restore coyotes to Arizona.
Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports confirms the report, and says Meruelo will be leaving. When the team was sold and relocated in April, there was a clear recovery plan in place between the NHL and Meruelo, and hitting certain checkpoints in the development of the new arena was a big part of that. After playing at Mullett Arena for so long, the stadium became a priority, and with no land auction and no pursuit of a new stadium plan, this is the end of the line for Meruelo and the Coyotes.
This May Not Be The End Of Hockey In Arizona
All signs point to this being the official end of Merualo’s time as an NHL owner, but that doesn’t mean Arizona’s NHL future is sealed forever. In the $1 billion repurchase plan set aside for Merualo, there had to be confirmation of re-entry by December 31, 2027, and by then the field had to be at least 50 percent depleted. This will not be the case for Meruelo, and he will lose his franchise rights.
Related: Coyotes’ future bleak after ASLD cancels auction
Someone who wants to own the NHL may come in and repair the damage done by Meruelo, and build a system and league, but it won’t happen within the next five years. It’s clear that the NHL believes the team belongs in Arizona, and will likely agree to work with someone who can put together a coherent plan and build a successful organization, starting with the arena of course.
No word on whether or not an official statement will be released by the NHL, but this is the fate of Merualo and the Coyotes.
There are a number of potential owners and cities in line for an expansion team, and right now the future of Coyotes hockey is unclear, but Arizona hockey will likely return one day under a new regime.
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