Salt Lake City, Utah, may soon welcome a new NHL team as the league considers relocating the Arizona Coyotes to the city for the 2024-25 season. Multiple sources familiar with the situation revealed that the NHL board of governors received a status-report memo on Wednesday, outlining the potential move. However, the memo emphasized that no final decisions had been made, and there are still several factors to consider before any relocation plans can be confirmed.
The Coyotes, currently playing at the 4,600-seat Mullett Arena, are led by owner Alex Meruelo, who is working on finalizing plans for a new NHL-quality facility in Arizona. While the organization recently announced its intentions to secure a piece of property in Phoenix for a new arena and entertainment district, sources indicate that even if successful, it would take at least three years before the Coyotes could play there.
In the meantime, Salt Lake City offers a possible solution with billionaire Ryan Smith, chairman and CEO of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), expressing interest in bringing an NHL team to Utah. Although the Coyotes have not directly engaged with SEG, communication is taking place through the NHL. Should the sale go through, SEG has proposed playing at Delta Center on an interim basis, or in a new arena being constructed in the city.
Salt Lake City’s bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics adds to the potential appeal of having an NHL team in the region. Recently, Smith took to Twitter to ask fans for potential nicknames for the prospective team, generating excitement among supporters. A spokesman for SEG declined to comment on the matter when reached for a statement.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly acknowledged the challenges involved in finding a resolution to the situation, emphasizing that efforts are ongoing. The potential departure of the NHL from Arizona could create an opportunity for future expansion in the area, given its growing hockey presence and status as a major media market. With Salt Lake City emerging as a possible destination, the league is faced with crucial decisions in the coming months regarding the Coyotes’ future.