Sources: Three options on the table for Arizona Coyotes’ future in the desert

That report ran counter to Bettman’s comments earlier in the day when he said that Meruelo is “focused on one piece of property.” Which is it: one property or multiple?

More to the point, the issue with a plan to buy state trust land is it may be time consuming with no guarantee of success. It would likely take at least one year just to purchase the land – which needs to be studied, appraised, and then put up for public auction. Even if the Coyotes were the only bidder for the land, it is entirely possible that government interest groups could challenge the purpose and belabor the process.

In fact, sources say the Coyotes are maneuvering to acquire a site via state trust land as a way to avoid another referendum. The Coyotes were unceremoniously dumped from Gila River Arena by Glendale City Council because they failed to pay their bills on time. Then, they were soundly defeated on a special election ballot by Tempe voters in an effort to build a $2 billion entertainment complex and arena on the site of a current landfill.

Simply put, if the Coyotes present the NHL with a plan to purchase state land, they have zero ability to fully guarantee the completion of the project. If the process takes a year to acquire the land, the very earliest an arena could be completed would be in time for the 2027-28 season, which would mean six full seasons in a college arena.

“I think the league feels that Arizona is a good market and I can understand that,” Walsh said. “The issue I have, and the players have, is how long do you wait to get a home? They’re playing in a college arena and they’re the second tenant in that arena. This is not the way to run a business.”

Not one to mince words, Bettman clearly hesitated when voicing his support for Meruelo and the Coyotes.

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

Option 2. Sell the team, stay in Arizona

League sources have been buzzing about an option much less talked about, but one that is clearly on the table, and involves Meruelo selling the franchise to another local business interest who could privately purchase a parcel of land and fully fund the build of a new arena.

Could Phoenix Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia be interested? Ishbia purchased the team with his older brother for a then-record $4 billion in 2023. Ishbia, approximately 44 years old, is worth a reported $4.9 billion and is the CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage.

The Suns play in the 32-year-old Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix, which was home of the Coyotes from 1996-2003. It was a basketball-first arena, which was imperfect for hockey with obstructed view seats, but still held 16,210 for hockey. Sources said the previous Suns ownership group did not have much interest in accommodating the Coyotes as a second tenant unless they also owned the team.

With both franchises under the fold, Ishbia could build a brand new multi-purpose palace elsewhere, to host both the Suns and Coyotes and become the premier music venue in the Valley. In the meantime, they could upgrade the ice plant (cost: $30 million) until a new arena could be constructed.

A Phoenix Suns executive did not return a message from Daily Faceoff when asked about Ishbia’s potential interest in the Coyotes on Tuesday.

Option 3. Relocate to Salt Lake City

Without a Mullet Arena move-out date in sight, it may be time for the NHL to finally pull up stakes and move the franchise after nearly a two decade fight. The Coyotes have been through bankruptcies, league receivership, multiple ownership changes and endured losing season after losing season, which has irreparably harmed the reputation of the team in the marketplace.

What better way to fix that? Move the team and change the name. That’s where Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith comes in. Smith issued an interestingly timed press release just 27 minutes after news broke that five NHL players were being ordered to surrender to police to face sexual assault charges.

In that release, Smith asked the NHL to initiate a formal expansion process, but also used two words that stand out: “[Smith Entertainment Group] has also made clear its immediate ability to welcome an NHL team to Utah, using Delta Center as an interim home arena for an NHL franchise.” Delta Center, home of the Jazz, has hosted NHL preseason games and would have a similar hockey setup as Footprint Center or Barclays Center or any other basketball-first arena with obstructed views in one end of the rink. But that would be a temporary solution. A gleaming new rink would be on the way as part of a Salt Lake City bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

That would be just fine with the NHLPA. Said Walsh: “If there’s no plan in Arizona, I would encourage a move to another location, absolutely.”

Smith said he has been in contact with the NHL about the potential of landing a franchise since 2022. Salt Lake City isn’t alone as a relocation option. Bettman said the league has received expressions of interest from groups in Atlanta, Kansas City, Cincinnati and Omaha. Plus, Houston recently replaced the ice plant in Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Rockets, and would be NHL-ready.

No one doubts the viability of an NHL franchise in Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the U.S., if it is run correctly. The Phoenix area has great wealth, unbelievable weather, as well as no shortage of Canadian snowbirds interested in hockey – but they also need to be a winner. They may be on track to eventually become one under GM Bill Armstrong, but their brand is toxic right now, as evidenced by two different municipalities rejecting them. Moving now and eventually coming back, starting fresh in Phoenix, might be the best play for the NHL and the overall health of the league.