The National Hockey League is moving the franchise now formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes to Utah to begin compete as a new organization next campaign, the NHL confirmed today.
Ryan and Ashley Smith of Smith Entertainment Group are the new owners as they paid 1.2 billion dollars for the franchise. Meruelo had owned the organization since buying the Coyotes for 300 million dollars five years ago, but NHL lost patience in his ability to find a long-term venue in the city and forced him to sale.
BREAKING: The Coyotes sale and relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah has been approved by the NHL Board of Governors.
The team's run in Arizona has ended. pic.twitter.com/brB87tKCHK
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 18, 2024
The Smiths, who also own the National Basketball Assosiatiton’s Utah Jazz. The Jazz owner wanted to expand the NHL and build a team in Utah but the things went the other way after the problems with the Coyotes and in a matter of months, the deal happened.
The Coyotes played their final home match in Arizona yesterday and defeated the Edmonton Oilers.