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Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo ends pursuit of new arena, report says
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    Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo ends pursuit of new arena, report says

    Alex Meruelo’s dream of bringing the Coyotes back to Arizona is not looking good.

    PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan reported Monday that Meruelo, the Coyotes owner, addressed the Coyotes staff earlier in the day and told them that ownership has no plans to look for another arena option.

    The report comes just three days after the Arizona State Land Department cancelled the June 27 auction the Coyotes were expecting to take part in as part of their hopes of building a new arena.

    The ASLD is looking for Miracle Development, LLC, the Coyotes’ developer, to acquire a special use permit in order to provide certainty that the organization can follow through on its plan to build on the land.

    In a statement released on Friday, the Coyotes expressed their shock and displeasure at the cancellation of the land auction, believing it “seriously jeopardizes” any NHL return to Arizona.

    “It has been made very clear to the State of Arizona that the Coyotes are committed to building out the infrastructure, going through the necessary approvals and developing the site into a world class destination, yet the ASLD has cancelled the auction despite the objections of the Coyotes less than a week before the scheduled auction date,” the statement read.

    Meruelo sold the Coyotes to Utah’s Ryan and Ashley Smith in a $1.2-billion deal brokered by the league after the regular season.

    Meruelo retained the rights to the Coyotes’ name, logo and trademark. He also got a five-year window granted to build an arena and reactivate the Arizona franchise.

    The reactivation of the franchise would have required Meruelo to pay back the $1 billion that he received when he sold the team.

    The Coyotes had been in turmoil since the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, when the City of Glendale opted not to renew its contract with the team to play at Gila River Arena. Voters then rejected, in early 2023, a proposed entertainment district that would have included an arena in Tempe.

    The team had been playing at Mullett Arena, a rink with a capacity of 4,600 for NHL games on the campus of Arizona State University, for the past two seasons.

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    After months of speculation and anticipation, it has been reported that Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has decided to end his pursuit of a new arena for the team. This news comes as a surprise to many fans and analysts who were eagerly awaiting updates on the potential relocation of the team.

    Meruelo had been exploring various options for a new arena in the Phoenix area, as the team’s current home, Gila River Arena, has been a source of contention due to its location and outdated facilities. However, it seems that Meruelo has ultimately decided to put an end to these efforts and focus on other priorities for the team.

    The decision to abandon the pursuit of a new arena raises questions about the future of the Coyotes in Arizona. With attendance numbers struggling and the team facing financial challenges, some are speculating that this could be a sign that Meruelo is considering relocating the team to a new city.

    Despite this setback, Meruelo remains committed to improving the Coyotes’ performance on the ice and building a successful franchise. He has made significant investments in the team since taking over as owner in 2019, including hiring new management and coaching staff, and acquiring key players through trades and free agency.

    It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Arizona Coyotes, but one thing is certain: Alex Meruelo’s decision to end the pursuit of a new arena will have a significant impact on the team’s long-term plans and could potentially shape the direction of the franchise for years to come. Fans will have to wait and see how this decision plays out in the coming months and what it means for the future of hockey in Arizona.