Alex Meruelo seems to be ready to hang up his skates, at least when it comes to the ownership of the Arizona Coyotes. As reported by Fox 10 Phoenix, Meruelo has expressed no interest in chasing down any further arena options in Arizona, coming on the heels of the announcement that a planned land auction was scrubbed. This plot of land, which was eyed for the construction of a potential new arena near Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road, was yanked from the auction block last week by the Arizona State Land Department, citing the need for a Special Use Permit.
Statement from the Arizona Coyotes. pic.twitter.com/EMOd9AuH1P
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 21, 2024
Following the land auction’s cancelation, the team issued a statement, explaining the situation and potential repercussions, "After much consideration, the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) has determined that it is in the best interest of the Trust to cancel the auction and reorder the steps," said the ASLD in a news release they issued, as per FOX 10. The Coyotes subsequently added their sentiment, asserting that this move "seriously jeopardizes the future of NHL hockey returning to the desert." Meruelo, who dove into the Coyotes' pool of ownership in 2019, is ostensibly leaving the franchise adrift to possibly reactivate within the next five years, a conditional timeline set by the NHL, provided he can build a stadium to bring the team back to life.
But the line on Meruelo’s hockey team ownership tenure seems to be flatlining, confirmed by further reports from PHNX Sports and Front Office Sports which painted a vivid picture of Meruelo and his son, Alex Meruelo Jr., notifying the few remaining staff of the wind-down. The coyote howl in the desert has turned to a whisper. "Coyotes staff was informed of Meruelo’s decision on Monday," according to a report by Arizona Sports. The team had earlier plans to stay put within the state, having secured a temporary housing arrangement with Arizona State University's Mullett Arena while searching fervently for a more permanent den.
