The Arizona Coyotes owner makes a stunning and disheartening revelation

Owner Alex Meruelo has officially pulled the plug on the ambitious plans to resurrect the team by the 2027-28 NHL season. The announcement, made late Monday, has sent shockwaves through the Coyotes community, leaving fans dismayed and disillusioned.

Late in the evening, whispers turned into roars as the word spread: Meruelo was stepping back, dashing hopes previously kindled by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Meruelo himself. These assurances, now seemingly hollow, had painted a picture of a bright future back in the NHL spotlight.

The immediate cause? A snag with the Arizona State Land Department, which recently canceled a crucial land auction. This auction was Meruelo's gateway to constructing a new state-of-the-art arena within a burgeoning entertainment district—a vision that will now remain unfulfilled. Facing the unexpected hurdle, Meruelo's decision was abrupt, viewing the battle for the land as a fight not worth pursuing, despite the high stakes.

This reversal of fortunes is not the first setback for the Coyotes. Previously, the team was ousted from the Gila River Arena in Glendale for financial discrepancies and relegated to a modest 5,000-seat college arena. The final blow came a few months ago when the NHL facilitated the team's relocation to Utah. The sale to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, known for his deep pockets and grand ambitions, marked the end of an era and perhaps the last nail in the coffin for Arizona's NHL dreams.

Now, as the dust settles in Salt Lake City, where the team seeks stability, Arizona's hockey enthusiasts are left pondering what might have been. The promises of a thriving hockey market and a new entertainment hub have evaporated, leaving behind a community grappling with disappointment and a lingering sense of betrayal.

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Sources: Alex Meruelo is walking away from Coyotes ownership