NHL commissioner Gary Bettman provides status of Coyotes arena situation

The Arizona Coyotes arena situation has been a hot topic around the NHL world for 20 or so years.

What cities they can move to, who will own the team, leaving Glendale, currently playing at a 4,600 college arena, etc.

One key proponent to keep a NHL franchise in Arizona however has been league commissioner Gary Bettman.

Over the years, he has voiced his desire for the Coyotes to be successful and have a permanent home despite encountering challenges along the way.

Bettman has addressed this problem multiple times during his reign, but he constantly remains hopeful for a successful resolution to keep the ‘Yotes in the Valley.

When speaking at a media availability during the 2024 NHL All-Star festivities, Bettman stated that he believes current Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo will secure something soon.

“There’s nothing new, Alex Meruelo is focused on one piece of property and we’re focused with him on what that timeline is,” Bettman said. “My guess is that something will be addressed in the next few weeks in terms of the timeline.”

“Alex Meruelo, as recently as last week, told me he was certain he was going to get this done and I don’t make it a practice of contradicting owners unless I have hard facts to the contrary. I am both hopeful and reasonably confident he is going to do what he says.”

Even though there has not been a hard deadline specified for a decision, Bettman sharing that Meruelo has something in the works is a step in the right direction.

Time will tell if Meruelo fulfill’s his longtime mission to find the Coyotes a new home or if not, relocation speculation from fans and media will spark even more.

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