Gary Bettman speculates Arizona Coyotes NHL return after ex-owner's exit: "Don't see arena the issue being resolved anytime soon"

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has addressed the Arizona Coyotes' uncertain future. Following Alex Meruelo's decision not to reactivate the team, Bettman confirmed the news during a discussion with Elliotte Friedman at the league's recent Board of Governors' meeting in New York.

Bettman acknowledged the challenges to Friedman surrounding the Coyotes' arena situation, stating:

"Yes, Alex Morello, the owner of the Coyotes, has formally advised us that he's not going to reactivate the Coyotes. As I think everybody knows, the state of Arizona canceled the auction that would have served as the basis for bringing a new arena for the Coyotes, and I think circumstances and political climate conspired against the Coyotes being able to move forward, and I think it was a smart, wise, appropriate response for Mr. Morello to conclude that people shouldn't be let on by the prospect."

Regarding the possibility of the Arizona Coyotes returning in the future, possibly through expansion, Bettman commented:

"Well, obviously, it's not something we're looking at today. This is all kind of new, and secondly, somebody would have to solve the arena issue, and based on the climate, and I don't mean the weather, in Arizona, I don't see the arena issue being resolved any time soon."

Responding to Elliotte Friedman's question about potential relocation, such as Winnipeg, Bettman said:

"That's an excellent question, and since this is all unfolding rather rapidly, it's something that we would have to take a look at."

Meruelo, who re͏ce͏ntly sold͏ the Arizona Coyotes to Utah's Rya͏n an͏d A͏shley S͏mit͏h in͏ a $1.͏2-bill͏ion deal ͏fa͏cilit͏ated͏ by the league, ͏r͏etains cer͏tai͏n r͏ight͏s and a five-year window t͏o build ͏an aren͏a ͏and rea͏cti͏vate the franchise.

The͏ Coyotes have͏ f͏aced͏ ͏chal͏lenges since losing t͏heir v͏en͏ue in Glendale an͏d f͏ailing t͏o secure voter app͏roval͏ for a ͏new arena in Tempe͏. The team has temporarily played at Arizona State University's Mullett Arena but its long-term future remains uncertain amidst ongoing arena issues in the region.

Arizona Coyotes dissolved; Utah's new NHL team's streaming options revealed

The Arizona Coyotes are set to be formally dissolved by owner Alex Meruelo, marking the end of their troubled tenure due to failed arena negotiations. The team has relocated to Utah under new ownership by Ryan Smith, who acquired the franchise's operations and player rights after the 2023-24 NHL season.

The Utah Hockey Club (UHC) will debut this October. Utah audiences can watch UHC games live for free on KUPX-TV Utah 16, available over-the-air statewide and through subscriptions like Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM.

In-market streaming options, potentially through Ryan Smith's Jazz+, are expected to develop, mirroring his NBA streaming platform's success. For out-of-state viewers, ESPN+ offers coverage of over 1,000 out-of-market NHL games, ensuring broader access to the UHC's inaugural season.