The Coyotes’ move to Utah is happening, at least according to one person involved.
Yotes potential buyer and Jazz owner Ryan Smith appeared to confirm in an interview at the CAA World Sports Conference on Wednesday that a deal to sell the team to Smith Entertainment Group is nearing completion. .
Smith never specifically mentioned the Coyotes, but he certainly alluded to them during his appearance at the annual event.
“There are no secrets about what’s published online,” Smith said. “Usually not everything on the internet is true, but in this case it’s pretty true.”
By all accounts, the NHL, Smith and current Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo are working to complete the complex sale of the hockey team.
No contract has been signed; According to Sports Business Journaland it would require NHL Board of Governors approval.
Wednesday hosts the Oilers at Mallett Arena in Tempe and is expected to be the team’s last game in Arizona.
Smith has been vocal about his desire to bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City, and it was reported that he initially wanted to do it through expansion.
“I don’t believe in the people of Utah. We will show up,” Smith said Wednesday. “We had the NCAA Tournament there and the arena was packed by 11 a.m….We’re excited to show it off, but we’re also excited to be launching a whole new brand and going through all the little things this summer. I want to spend all my time on ” and every detail. ”
The potential new Coyotes owner added that he has a lot of work ahead of him once the team arrives in Salt Lake City.
“We have a practice facility, but whatever, we have to do it. There’s nothing we have to go to. We’ll find a way. If we all pitch in, we’ll find a way. We I’ve done more difficult things,” Smith said.
The Coyotes’ move ends a decades-long saga of finding a permanent home for the franchise to succeed on and off the ice.
However, the pending measures do not mean closing the door to hockey in the desert.
Perhaps as part of the team’s sale, Meruelo will have five years to build a new arena and bring the expanding NHL franchise back to the Phoenix area. According to multiple reports.
The paper’s Larry Brooks reported that Arizona would be moved to the front of the expansion path.
