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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
MANALAPAN, Florida — The Arizona Coyotes‘ success at an upcoming land auction could determine whether they remain in the greater Phoenix area.
Earlier this month, the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals unanimously approved a $68.5 million appraisal of a 95-acre parcel of land in north Phoenix that Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo is expected to bid on as the location for the team’s new arena. The land must be advertised publicly now for 10 weeks before the auction can take place, likely in mid-June.
If Meruelo doesn’t secure the land, it will again leave the Coyotes without a permanent arena or a pending site on which to build one. The franchise previously attempted to secure a different land deal in Tempe, Arizona, but that was voted down in a 2023 referendum.
The Coyotes have been playing temporarily out of a 5,000-seat venue at Arizona State University since being evicted from their former arena in Glendale; the agreement with ASU runs through next season, with an option to renew for 2025-26.
Time is running out for the Coyotes to stabilize their future in Arizona. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman continued to preach patience on the issue when he spoke Wednesday from the league’s annual GM meetings.
“We would have preferred [them] to be in a new arena by now. But there were certain things that couldn’t be controlled,” Bettman said. “We would have preferred that the referendum in Tempe went the other way, but it didn’t. We deal with what we can deal with.”
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly was asked whether the NHL would be able to pivot and have the Coyotes play elsewhere next season if the bid is not successful.
“Probably not,” Daly admitted. “[But] I’m focused on the current. Currently, they are going to play hockey games in Arizona next year.”
Bettman said the league “[is] cognizant” that the auction results could come down close to when the NHL generally releases its schedule, adding some urgency to the overall timeline.
“But we’re also focused on the fact that Alex Meruelo is working on acquiring what he believes is the best location for the new arena and his overall project,” Bettman said.
Daly pointed out the league doesn’t have to release a schedule before the NHL draft at the end of the June, giving them a window to see how the auction plays out before finalizing anything.
“If they win the auction, that’s the first step in the process,” he said. “They would have their land and the ability to build on it. The auction itself will provide the certainty [that they will build on it].”
As to whether the league would consider forcing Meruelo out from his ownership spot if Arizona fails at auction, Daly said it was “not a hypothetical I would entertain” and confirmed the league is in constant communication with Meruelo that has been “businesslike and fine.”
Despite the challenges Arizona’s arena drama has presented — and likely will continue to present — the league is remaining loyal to the location.
“We believe Arizona and particularly the greater Phoenix area is a good NHL market,” Bettman said, “and a place we want to be.”
Source: www.espn.com