According to reports, the National Hockey League (NHL) is making preparations for the possible relocation of the Coyotes team to Utah.
The National Hockey League is making arrangements for a potential new team in Salt Lake City for the upcoming season.
Some matters are still undecided, and the Salt Lake City Council has yet to make a decision on whether to implement a sales tax rate of 0.5% in the district to support enhancements.
According to Gutierrez’s statement to ESPN, the goal is to begin playing in the fall of 2027, and the project will be funded without using taxpayer funds.
According to several reports, the NHL is creating two separate schedules for the 2024-25 season. One includes the Coyotes remaining in Arizona while the other involves the team relocating to Salt Lake City.
According to a statement obtained by KPNX, the proposed Phoenix version near Scottsdale was introduced without acknowledging the need and demand for a new entertainment venue that would be disguised as a hockey arena. The statement also did not address concerns about traffic congestion and the appropriateness of zoning for the arena. It was depicted as a flashy attempt to save hockey in Arizona.
It is also speculated that in the agreement, Coyote owner Alex Meruelo would have priority in buying an NHL expansion team in the event of his successful construction of a stadium.
The proposed plan was heavily criticized earlier this week by Mayor David Ortega of Scottsdale, representing a nearby city near the state land.
The reports suggest that the league has doubts about the Coyotes’ recent attempts to construct a new arena in Arizona for their team.
Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz, has submitted a strong offer for the league to consider moving to Utah. According to ESPN, the league has a contingency plan to sell the Coyotes to Smith, with the intention of relocating the team to Salt Lake City. An official announcement regarding this potential move is expected to be made this month.
ESPN reports that the relocation may be made through two separate transactions.
The NHL recently acquired the Coyotes for an estimated billion. The team will then be sold to Smith for a potential .3 billion, showing a significant increase in franchise value in recent years. This is highlighted by the fact that the new Seattle Kraken owners paid a 0 million expansion fee in 2021 to join the league. As part of the sale, the league’s other 31 owners will receive a portion of the 0 million.
In January, Smith Entertainment Group asked the NHL to initiate the expansion process for a possible team in Utah.
Mike Maughn from Smith Entertainment Group stated in the previous month that their company plans on using “billions” of their own funds for the construction of the new arena and other investments in the downtown area. He also mentioned that if the city rejected the proposed tax measure, SEG would address that issue at that time.
No comment was made by SEG regarding Wednesday’s reports.
Smith stated that SEG’s goal is to see the NHL succeed in Utah in the near future, and the company is entirely committed to making this a reality as soon as possible.
If the team decides to relocate, they will initially play at the Delta Center in Utah, which is owned by Smith, until a new stadium is constructed to accommodate the new hockey team and the Utah Jazz.
Recently, Smith Entertainment Group introduced a survey to generate more support for their team. Fans were invited to share their name suggestions for the potential NHL team.
The group clearly stated that they were prepared to host a team in the upcoming season if one became available through relocation. However, any relocation plans would require approval from the NHL’s board of governors. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for June, but they could also schedule a Zoom meeting before then.
The necessity for the team name may arise sooner than expected.
The Coyotes intend to participate in a land auction on June 27 in order to secure a location for their new arena. If successful, team president Xavier Gutierrez announced their plan to begin construction in the second quarter of 2025.Last month, Gov. Spencer Cox signed SB272, setting up a “Capital City Revitalization Zone,” paving the way for a new arena to be built downtown.
The Coyotes’ previous attempts have been unsuccessful. The proposed arena in Tempe was voted down by the public in May 2023, and the team currently uses Arizona Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat venue located at Arizona State University, as their home arena. The team has been searching for a permanent location since the franchise’s former owner declared bankruptcy in 2009.
The post According to reports, the National Hockey League (NHL) is making preparations for the possible relocation of the Coyotes team to Utah. appeared first on Americano Sports.
Analyzing the Cost for the Vikings to Move Up in the NFL Draft: Will it be Worth It?
How much will it cost the Vikings to move up to the No. 4 or No. 5 pick in this year’s draft? That’s one of the key questions Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to find out the answer to as the draft draws closer and closer. The Vikings may not be able to get all
The post Analyzing the Cost for the Vikings to Move Up in the NFL Draft: Will it be Worth It? appeared first on 247sports News.
