Billionaire expresses interest in reviving the Arizona Coyotes franchise
Photo credit: KSL Sports
The Arizona Coyotes organization became defunct when the Utah Hockey Club was born, but it may not stay that way for too long.
After months of speculation, the Arizona Coyotes officially relocated to Utah, but with the dream of being revived by former owner Alex Meruelo, the team got to keep its heritage. Now, it may be another billionaire that brings them back, as Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishiba has expressed an interest in bringing the team back to the NHL in the future.
Mat Ishiba has expressed interest in bringing an NHL franchise back to Phoenix, Arizona 🇺🇸 as an expansion franchise.
Ishiba wouldn't comment on if he has already had talks with the NHL, but if discussions advance in the next few years alongside plans for a new arena, it wouldn't surprise many to see the Phoenix market re-added to the league within the next ten years.
The league retained the branding rights to the Coyotes when Meruelo conceded his rights to the franchise earlier this month, which could be sold to Ishbia as part of an expansion deal.
The 44-year old is the CEO and chairman of United Wholesale Mortgage, and is the owner of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) 🇺🇸 and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) 🇺🇸
He is worth $10.1b as of May 2024.
Ishiba wouldn't comment on if he has already had talks with the NHL, but if discussions advance in the next few years alongside plans for a new arena, it wouldn't surprise many to see the Phoenix market re-added to the league within the next ten years.
The league retained the branding rights to the Coyotes when Meruelo conceded his rights to the franchise earlier this month, which could be sold to Ishbia as part of an expansion deal.
The 44-year old is the CEO and chairman of United Wholesale Mortgage, and is the owner of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) 🇺🇸 and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) 🇺🇸
He is worth $10.1b as of May 2024.
Throughout Meruelo's tenure as the Coyotes owner, he drew immense criticism from the fan base, but when they were relocated, the outpouring of support and heartbreak showed just how much support this team had. With one of the best youth and development programs in the nation, hockey has proven that it can work in Arizona, and with Ishiba taking over the Suns in recent years, he wants to make a further impact in Phoenix, and reviving the Coyotes could be a great way to do that.
Source: Hockey Patrol
New plan for the Arizona Coyotes to return to the NHL officially in motion
New plan for the Arizona Coyotes to return to the NHL officially in motion
| POLL | ||
25 JUILLET | 111 ANSWERS Billionaire expresses interest in reviving the Arizona Coyotes franchise Will the Arizona Coyotes return in the next five years? | ||
| Yes | 22 | 19.8 % |
| No | 89 | 80.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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