Arizona Coyotes Officially Moving to Utah
Smith Entertainment Group Purchases NHL Franchise
Sale Approved by NHL Board of Governors
The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City. The NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a $1.2 billion sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith. The deal will clear the way for the franchise's move to Utah next season.
The sale includes a provision for a $225 million expansion fee, which will be used to help fund a new arena in Salt Lake City. The Coyotes will play in the Vivint Arena, which is currently home to the Utah Jazz. The move will mark the first time an NHL team has relocated to another state since the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in 2011.
The Coyotes have struggled to find success in Arizona since their inception in 1996. The team has only made the playoffs once in the past 14 seasons and has averaged an attendance of just 14,000 fans per game this season. The move to Utah is expected to provide the Coyotes with a fresh start and a new opportunity to build a successful franchise.
The future of the NHL in Arizona is now uncertain. The league has not announced any plans to replace the Coyotes, but there are rumors that an expansion team could be awarded to the city in the near future. For now, Coyotes fans will have to say goodbye to their team and watch them start a new chapter in Utah.
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