Arizona State Land Auction for Coyotes' Arena Cancelled Due to Permit Issues

The Arizona State Land Department has canceled a June 27 auction for a land parcel in north Phoenix where former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo hoped to build a new arena, citing the need for a Special Use Permit. This cancellation jeopardizes the future of NHL hockey in Arizona, as Meruelo retains the rights to the Coyotes' name and plans to reactivate the franchise if a new arena is constructed within five years. The Coyotes had planned to build a multi-purpose entertainment district on the site, but must now secure the necessary permits before the auction can proceed. The NHL had approved the sale of the Coyotes' on-ice assets to Utah Jazz owners, who moved the team to Salt Lake City. The Arizona State Land Department remains open to future collaboration if the required permits are obtained.