Inside the "Bitter End" of Arizona Coyotes & Utah move: Jason Demers gives details

Join this channel to access perks ✅ brodie.bz/join
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.
For 60 minutes, they got one last chance to watch the team they came to love before the franchise as they know it is no more.
Read more: www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/3...
The Coyotes are moving to Salt Lake City in a deal that could be signed less than 24 hours after Wednesday night's 5-2 win over Edmonton. Hockey could return, perhaps within five years, but the stark reality is this is the end for the foreseeable future.
"It's sad, it's upsetting," said Ryan Travis, a Coyotes season-ticket holder since 2001. "I can't believe it's finally come to an end. I can't believe this is how it's going to end."
Coyotes fans had been dreading this moment, hoping it never would happen.
Chapters:
0:00 What the FINAL game meant
5:15 Shane Doan's jersey retirement banner
6:45 This wasn't the fans fault
10:52 Mixed messaging in the last 2-3 weeks
13:40 Why didn't Alex Meruelo attend FINAL Coyotes game?
17:00 How can Arizona hockey stay ACTIVE without an NHL team?
21:06 Is the planned Scottsdale site a good idea?
24:45 Has the realization of relocation sunk in yet?
MY AVIATION CHANNEL ✈️ brodie.bz/Aviation
HOME STUDIO PRO 🎥 brodie.bz/Production
📺 Subscribe ➡️ brodie.bz/KZbin
📸 Instagram ➡️ brodie.bz/IG
📰 Features ➡️ brodie.bz/Read
🎧 Podcast ➡️ brodie.bz/Apple
✳️ Spotify ➡️ brodie.bz/Spotify
🐦 Twitter ➡️ brodie.bz/TW
👍 Facebook ➡️ brodie.bz/FB
#nhl #arizona #utah

[@brodiebrazil]

Some other videos you might like: There were bad signs (and predictions) surrounding Arizona Coyotes relocation 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZTGg6eaip5kY8k St. Louis Cardinals soon to request $600M for Busch Stadium? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJqwdYGCopaDq9k Did remote work impact Nike MLB uniform design? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6TOZn6snKl7eJo What happens NEXT for Arizona Coyotes fans? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3iclqWindJ-p80 FINAL Arizona Coyotes game: for now OR forever? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoqahH9vqrB_hcU Golden Knights, Mark Stone bending NHL Salary Cap rules AGAIN? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnuniGB5qZiBj9k Arizona & Utah MEDIA cover Coyotes imminent MOVE 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGGmfWd4qNiYfNE San Francisco Giants CONCERNS after 6-10 start? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHXcnGmll7CHqdU My FIRST Drone Flight over San Francisco (4K) 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aWZZR5mLSeesk These are AMAZING MLB stats... 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXTZenl7oNJ0obc Bryce Harper just wore LAST YEAR's MLB uniform, intentionally? 📺 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXeQeZuwqLakpdU

[@iamalden]

“To have another human being wearing your family’s name on their back is a special thing.” Well said. So much respect, Daddy.

[@kgroves17]

Being in a position where your market is receiving a relocated team is hard. I am so excited to have this sport in Utah, but it’s tough to not feel immense sadness and empathy for those losing their team. Watching the fan reaction after the game last night was tough.

[@tofutuesday]

I was watching the game last night and didn't expect to become emotional, but I did. It was just sad to watch.

[@Mortal-Monk]

I'm not excited for it, nobody really was talking about NHL until for like a week and all the sudden it's hot here? We have no stadium for them and you really want to make Utah more affordable F that.

[@jayscott1380]

​@@Mortal-MonkI've heard Utah/NHL hockey talk for a few years now. Everybody who is actually paying attention to hockey has known for a couple years that Utah was likely (top 3) going to get a team next, whether relocation or expansion.

[@traci635]

Utah is a great place for hockey. The Delta Center will work just fine until a new arena is built and this team is only the 2nd team in the Rocky mountain region, which will include Wyoming and Idaho.​@@Mortal-Monk

[@Blasthole]

Since the official announcement there has been over 12,000 paid deposits to Smith from fans for season tickets.

[@pinball541]

As a Season Ticket holder myself, I agree with Jason. I think Alex Muerello did the right thing being a no-show. Give Muerello the 5 years as he promised. If he can't follow through, then hold him responsible. I drove from the Town of Maricopa to Glendale. One way was 50 miles, & one hour. I loved the Yotes, but the travel got tiring over the years. R.I.P. Coyotes (1996-2024) Hello From Maricopa Arizona🌡🔥

[@IronSikh44]

Regarding the retired jersey banners, I can attest (as a visitor from 🇨🇦) I went to 2 games at the Glendale Arena. The banners were there including from the Winnipeg Jets era. When I attended Mullett Arena a few weeks ago, I scanned the rafters and noticed there were zero jersey banners. So maybe there’s some truth to the urban legend? And yes, the drive out to Glendale did take some of the steam out of the excitement of going to watch a game.

[@prestonpatterson7231]

Long time Utah resident and Sharks fan, super excited to see the growth this is going to bring to hockey along the Wasatch front and possibly St. George area as well. Ice time is so hard to get here and I'm hoping this will make youth hockey explode here like it has in many other markets. Sad to see the Coyotes go but hopefully this will be good for the long term health of hockey in both Utah and Arizona.

[@Steve_Hunts96]

I think St George is considered VGK land, as I’ve seen lots of VGK stuff in that community (frequent through there often), though I absolutely welcome further growth of hockey in Utah!

[@jayscott1380]

You can ditch that crappy Sharks team now and cheer for a better team.

[@traci635]

Don't forget us fans in Wyoming and Idaho. Salt Lake City isn't as far away as Denver and Salt Lake City is much easier to navigate.....

[@tombraiderstrums09]

You may be right. This may be the wake-up call that AZ sports needs.

[@w.l.graves7228]

coach tourigny is an absolute class act.. he held the boys together thru all the horseshit and lies from pig ,fraud billionaire meruelo , whose # 1 priority was having his casino and 2,000 luxury apartments built , hockey was just his come-on .. meruelo should be jailed for his lies, fraud ,and deliberate incompetence, he refused to be at our last game , likely for his safety .

[@codymachado]

I cant help but feel like he's trying. The guy has had to jump through so many hoops I'm surprised he didn't move on long ago

[@soxbearshwks8988]

graves: EXACTLY i call him a snake oil salesman/lowlife

[@slapshotjack9806]

Or you know the fans should have gone to the games in the first place

[@soxbearshwks8988]

@@slapshotjack9806 wouldn't have made any difference in my opinion

[@slapshotjack9806]

@@soxbearshwks8988 fans go to games = profits generated = money to pay the taxes and the players = location secured

[@ronwebster1114]

Warning for the Oakland A's fans. Watching the coyotes game and the conclusion was an absolute gut punch. It was very emotional. Just prepare yourselves...

[@idahorailfan1961]

Shane Doan was with the Jets 1.0 the last year in Winnipeg, now his son is with the Coyotes the last year they were there. What a coincidence

[@codymachado]

Pretty wild, I think they also beat Edmonton 5-2 in there first game in Phoenix but maybe I'm wrong

[@MyselfTheThird]

So basically if you want your team to stay put, do everything you can to prevent drafting a Doan

[@ipsbz]

​@@MyselfTheThirdLOL that's a very funny and valid point

[@vlad2838]

My condolences to the Coyotes fanbase, who have endured a string of terrible owners. The Lightning endured a similarly terrible string of owners (Oren Koules, Arthur Williams) until Jeff Vinik took control. Now, the franchise-relocation saga shifts to the White Sox and Rays-plenty of fodder for your channel, Brodie!

[@dylanpedersen124]

Demers was a great interview to get for this!

[@brodiebrazil]

i didn't give him a choice 🤣

[@sdeepj]

The Coyotes fallout with Glendale essentially killed their hopes of staying. Cities saw how Glendale was treated and just said “no”.

[@devinaschenbrenner2683]

Glendale had just as much a hand in how that whole fiasco as the team did.

[@traci635]

Sad for Coyotes fans. Had ownership and Phoenix been able to work out a deal, the Coyotes wouldn't be leaving. Hopefully the Coyotes come back as an expansion team so these fans have their team back. I will say the Coyotes players will be welcomed in Salt Lake City. That fanbase will love and support this team. Bittersweet for sure, as fans are taken for granted by team owners....

[@RealFM25]

Love seeing JD Rays on for a video! Once again, Brodie as a Coyotes fan, thank you for covering this as gracefully as possible. Oakland Athletics fans have fully supported us Coyotes fans during this process.

[@VonCurry8]

I wanted to stop in and just give you some praise for the high quality production and journalism you do on this channel!

[@brodiebrazil]

thank you!

[@Xerxes910]

The CEO Xavier Gutierrez was no where to be seen either.

[@soxbearshwks8988]

EXACTLY merlo and giterez didn't have the balls to show up

[@KWally]

They're basically forced into the shadows because of the impending sale. All current ownership can do at this point is trip and fall, them being present last night would do nothing but bring more heartache.

[@ianhall6614]

I’m glad they weren’t there. Let the fans, players and personnel have their last hurrah together, without them there to taint it anymore. It’s the very least they could do.

[@jonwohl2485]

punk ass mgmt

[@wilbs1959]

never had a GOOD owner and that didn't help fan support

[@BigHermAZ]

Can't speak as to the events prior, but Doaner's jersey is/was absolutely hanging at Mullett during that time.

[@robertfolk4583]

Alex Meruelo gave 2 really good interviews today with ABC15 and the radio guys. He didn't duck any questions, and talks about the previous failures of the arena situation from Day 1. I heard he is also the 8th owner of the franchise and has owned it for only 4 years I believe. Came into a no win situation with the City of Glendale.

[@metatechnologist]

He also had a fair/believable excuse i.e. finishing legal documents for the sale.

[@clackmannan]

But he also cancelled an interview with Craig @ PHNX ...

[@davidseese5600]

According to ESPN Sporting News at 3:50 pm est. The NHL annouced the sale of the Arizona hockey team to Salt Lake city is offically done. The Utah ? Will start play next season.. David Seese

[@wongleebruce]

The Coyotes should have built their new rink in downtown Phoenix it's the hub it's central, it has public transit. Jason is right 41 times not to mention pre season and post season. There on the way out when they went to ASU in a small barn. Location is crucial. Point is no one is listening in Arizona.

[@soxbearshwks8988]

bruce: central location says it all

[@Itshadow306]

I agree 1000% Downtown Phoenix would’ve been the perfect spot for the Coyotes. I hope that Matt Ishbia can purchase the Winnipeg Jets and move them to Phoenix and build a new Arena for the Suns and Coyotes.

[@matthewchewning3822]

@@Itshadow306 yeah steal Winnipeg's team again. You guys couldn't fill an arena without snowbirds. Every "home" game had more fans of the visiting teams even when the Coyotes had a competitive team. Then you voted down a privately funded arena & entertainment district that would've filled in a landfill.

[@DavidTupper-li5ju]

My favorite all-time hockey memory involves jason demers - jason demers cross-checked by calgary flames player in front of coyotes crease - matthew tkachuk comes in to hit demers while he still laying on the ice - darcy kuemper comes in to pick up tkachuk & body slams him to the ice - would love to hear demers thoughts about that incident - excellent podcast by the way

[@rhyshalloran9007]

Thank you Jason.

[@frankalbin8547]

Excellent segment!!

[@pikemanadventure5269]

You’re the best JD! #yotesforever

[@BillyJoeMcallister]

My only connection to the Coyotes was Doan (Team Canada) otherwise I would know little about this franchise. I'm a huge hockey fan and I don't ever recall turning on a must watch game with the Coyotes. But I remember watching many Winnipeg matchups before they relocated.

[@user-zv1sx3ls8f]

Thank you Jason AZ love

[@cjhan9816]

NHL Coyotes relocation from A/Z to U/T for an actual productive analysis, reason that the Coyotes should have remained in the City of Phoenix upon renovating & sharing a sports arena with NBA Suns. However, the Yotes decided to build a sports arena outside of the Phoenix suburbs as an unwise decision & location. This was sad by a sunbelt mindset to construct an urban sprawl w/o focusing on the city center.

[@davidseese5600]

Brodie, at 3:50 pm according ESPN sporting, it is official according to the NHL, the sale is done.

[@weagles]

I live in ottawa and Jason you are correct, we are attempting a new rink downtown in ottawa ( think near Lebreton Flats. was on CTV ottawa Wednesday? I Believe

[@georgehand]

Amazing video from two outstanding professinals

[@Soundtracks92]

Hockey fans here in Salt Lake City are prepared to welcome the team with open arms!

[@Mortal-Monk]

Not me.

[@RedPanda585]

@@Mortal-Monkyou should be grateful you know how many people don’t get a professional sports team at all in their home city

[@Mortal-Monk]

@@RedPanda585 I used to think it was good until I saw how it makes living worse. It's nothing more than a money making machine for certain people and doesn't benefit from people that actually work hard.

[@ericbowers1620]

They will end up floundering there.

[@christophersouthard7571]

So excited for this!! It sucks at the way it came to be but i can promise you as someone whos already got my deposit for season tickets in, we will take care of them and make sure they get the things they need up here in utah. I hope the coyotes will run the desert again soon for all you fans in arizona

[@goaliecoachmike]

Excellent interview! Very informative and I feel bad for the fans. Poor ownership has detracted from league revenue and a lower salary cap. This has affected the entire league.

[@chuckweber542]

I always feel bad for fans when a professional sports team leaves.maybe they can get a new franchise to take its place.stranger things have happened.

[@MichaelHeilman]

I hope the Utah team is named Bighorns and I can't wait for the first Utah and Colorado game. Should be a nice rivalry.

[@phantomzonegaming4161]

It’s not, trademarks leaked earlier

[@Actionronnie]

​@@phantomzonegaming4161 Well who knows who trademarked them, and any new owner will trademark a bunch of names and other things. Can't sit on it for too long, cause people will trademark stuff to try and sell it for a profit to the right person. When the Thrashers came to Winnipeg, allot of trademarks were filed for the Canada and US market. People thought the team was going to be called whiteout at one point 😂 But that could never happen, cause Arizona had that trademarked for the US market, while the Jets got it for Canada.

[@jbjstyx]

@@Actionronnie Random question but do you know what happens to the trademarks of the unused logos?

[@Actionronnie]

@@jbjstyx if you're talking about NHL ones in general, mostly the NHL will have all of part of them. Something tells me the NHL will have their hand on the coyotes ones in some way, or all in time. No way will they give it up if a team doesn't return, there has to be a fine print in the deal. For example the NHL had the Jets ones before they came back. Hartford is a joint effort between Carolina and the NHL. The nordiques I'm not totally sure about, it may also be a joint trademark.

[@moonytheloony6516]

They will not be calling the team "Bighorns".....which is a good thing because "Bighorns" sounds like the name for either a western-themed restaurant or a liquor store... Though you do mean well, and are entitled to your opinion; I'm nevertheless relieved that you are not part of that decision process, because Bighorns would be a Big Mistake.

[@subzero9113]

If Meruelo was smart if or when he gets a new Coyote team his first move shoukd be Shane Doan as GM. Shane learning in Toronto how to be a GM now gives him 5 years to be ready. That would ve HUGE in getting fans back. JS

[@AMERICANSTA_3k]

Never got why they didnt build a new arena in phoenix for both the suns and coyotes

[@danmeehan1390]

I grew up in Montreal. I had left Montreal as I was in the Army but, the loss of the Expos was still a huge gut punch. They were also mismanaged with threats of moving for 10 years or more they killed the attendance. I'm a Senator's fan but would like to share my sadness that a fan group has lost their team. My condolences Coyote fans and staff

[@petelamoureux9656]

Dan.....here in Connecticut, we are still mourning the loss of the Whalers 27 years later. So, I totally get it about the Expos and the Coyotes. My condolences go out to the Coyotes fans. That was tough to watch last night as it conjured up memories of April 13, 1997 at the Hartford Civic Center.

[@vincegabrielson]

Yotes fans....you don't deserve this. I know this channel in particular has a lot of fans that can sympathize with this situation.

[@imtallpaul]

That franchise needed a do over! For their entire existence it's been an S-Show. I'm glad the name Coyotes stays in Arizona for a future team but this has been a mess from day 1. They had a lot of super stars and good prospects. The players need a fresh start. Good luck in Utah and hopefully Arizona will use the time to get their S together.

[@Hoovie9596]

Meruelo wasn’t even at the game from what I hear. Think about that

[@sebastianbelcher5354]

Kind of like the As, the Yotes are a town skipping team. If I were in Utah I'd be cautiously optimistic because the team may move again one day once the novelty wears off. Yotes seem to have been cursed with poor owners. MLS will probably overtake NHL and MLB anyway and has less crazy relocation history, so maybe it's time sports fans look more to the future and let the billionaire NHL owners be punished for forgetting the fans.....

[@sharksfever24]

I feel bad for the fans. I couldn’t imagine the Sharks leaving SJ, that would be heart breaking. I have been a fan since 1999 thanks to my uncle. Speaking of that, by any chance do you know if the city and the team have come to an agreement about the construction work downtown? Correct me if I’m wrong but I think the Sharks lease at SAP is soon going to become a year by year lease

[@Politano1955]

Too bad Arizona couldn't have found a way to keep the Coyotes and send Governor Hobbs to Utah instead.

[@michaelwallis395]

To be fair, Meruelo never had any intention of selling or moving the team, he is all in on building his arena and entertainment district. The league forced the sale and relocation now because they didn’t want at least 3 more years of playing at Mullett Arena and losing massive amounts of hockey related revenue.

[@drizzt102]

The PA had a huge role in that too. Cap suppression (lack of revenue) as well as the issue of it being an open auction. That isnt a plan or a guarantee and merulo speaking like it was one well yeah no way a union is super comfortable with that shit not a chance. Like stability and security as well as of course, number 1, wages. Aint no way the PA was on board with this sort of haphazard "plan/guarantee" especially if there was no alternate plan (spoiler there was and is not)

[@xaahd]

Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.

[@Improudofyou37]

He may not have wanted to sell or move the team but his actions made this happen. Not paying for hotels is bad enough, but when he consistently tried to build arenas in areas that are not viable and trying to make deals no one in their right mind would accept is a rarely seen level of incompetence. That kind of incompetence cannot be learned, it's called he's a pretty bad businessman.

[@cjhan9816]

WG 99 was part of the unsuccessful & uncompetitive NHL Coyotes as a minority owner, general manager, & head coach during 2000s. He was not patient to develop & draft prospects globally into a playoff contenders. WG 99 did not looked into free agency or trade players carefully upon obtaining champion veterans to guide future prospects. Lastly, he refused to pay competitive salaries with his veteran; prospect; & rookie players. Remember 2004-05 NHL lock out season & playoffs got cancelled? WG 99 did not supported the NHL's CBA by the Players Union to increase minimum salary from $250K to $500K. This was due to the rise of internet by generating world profits & revenues such as online stream matches, team merchandises, digital games, corp sponsors, etc. Sadly, WG 99 missed these opportunities after his playing retirement to be stuck prior NHL minimum salary was $150K during 1980s. Funny by how MJ 23 did similar like WG 99 to be owners of pro-sports teams into financial & title disasters.

[@MikeTerry1969]

Just scrolling and thought Chris Hardwick had a hockey podcast.

[@rwest1966]

Bettman doesn't vet the owners properly. There probably is no vetting. They just look to someone who's a billionaire and say yes. This owner should never own another franchise period. He's a disgrace. 5th biggest city in USA and he can't get it done.

[@dvferyance]

The question is what happens to the Utah ECHL team?

[@stevenbauer4799]

maybe they flip it to phx to play out of mullett?

[@dvferyance]

@@stevenbauer4799 well that is an option but I doubt that will happen. My suggestion is move then to Billings. If rapid City can have a team why not Billings?

[@stevenbauer4799]

@@dvferyance Or maybe put them in idaho or boise. i think boise has an echl team.

[@dvferyance]

@@stevenbauer4799 I had thought of that but Boise already has a team. They could put them in Spokane.

[@johngibson8636]

The consistents in all of these situations is a combination of bad/incompetent ownership and a bad political situation. The Chargers, A’s and Coyotes are prime examples. The sad thing is that Phoenix will probably get the Jets again once the economics dictate that small market Canada can’t sustain a franchise.

[@cjhan9816]

@BRODIE-BRAZIL: I have to comment you out here to compare NHL Coyotes vs MLB Athletics as 🍎 vs 🍊. SFBA-NORCAL has 7-8 million ppl size to support per each pro-sports teams: MLB; NFL; NBA, NHL; MLS. OAK Athletics are a 2nd shadow city of the S/F Giants as 1st establish of an MLB team via relocation from NYC to S/F.

[@thewilliamquinnchannel]

Bodie, do you talk about Wrestling?

[@william7286]

For Arizona (Phoenix) to get a new franchise, I think the Ishbia's will need to be involved as majority/minority ownership with a new multipurpose NBA/NHL arena.

[@73Ambassador]

Rewind back to 1996, when a young boy's heart broke as he felt helpless, losing his NHL hockey team from a passionate Canadian market to some city in a southwestern hot desert. That boy wished upon a star that one day, the desert would also lose that team and feel the same pain he felt. 26 years later, the wish the boy forgot he made came true. Sorry, Yotes fans

[@brodiebrazil]

Probably not the way to go about life

[@73Ambassador]

@@brodiebrazil you try telling that to a 9 year old boy (not a mature adult who understands business) who lost his hometown hockey team. You need to put yourself in his shoes in order to fully empathize.

[@ipsbz]

​@@brodiebrazilHe was a kid so you can not judge him now based on childhood trauma losing his team. He makes a great point.

[@tedmabey1852]

It's sad to see a community lose a team they love. I hope people in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area can someday welcome a new team back with an expansion draft under new, more responsible ownership. The Coyotes ownership dropped the ball on this one. I am, however, excited to welcome a new NHL team to Salt Lake City! I wish the 'Yotes fans good fortune in securing a new team in the near future.

[@AsheeBree]

Are we sure the owner wasnt trying to scramble to save any money loss by buying the realestate with team funds, so when he dropped them as intended he could recoup some losses for himself? Bc that's something a businessman would do if he is a savy business man? Like he never intended to keep the team, he just wanted to use capital on hand and city support to get realestate. ???

[@TheodoreBlake-cr9tx]

Go listen to the gambo and ash podcast from today. Alex was on for 20 minutes and it's interesting.

[@timf2279]

Good if Arizona won't support the team, let them go.

[@johnturgeon6826]

He made a profit on the Coyotes? What kind of money would he of made if the transfer payments werent a thing. The rest of the NHL has been supporting that team for quite a few years

[@joeyt.]

Everyone knew that this year's all star game was the deadline date to have Solid new rink built or nearly completed which came and went.

[@vagrante13]

It is such a travesty that the Coyotes are moving. I blame the incompetent owners, NIMBY Karens and the greedy landowners who wouldn’t allow the Coyotes’ owners overbid to avoid the auction because these land owns want to make a killing. Plus these greedy landowners kept delaying the auction to make more money. I hope those greedy bastards make less after the auction than they would have if they accepted the overbid.

[@RaileyClay]

NO TAX DOLLAR FOR BILLIONAIRES

[@tombraider2500]

Utah taxpayers are getting their team for $900,000 dollars. Tax dollars win.

[@chrisspringer7788]

😂😂😂 is that what your 20 second commercial tell you? You have a comprehension problem

[@idahorailfan1961]

Brodie, can you do a video on what happens to the history of the Winnipeg Jets 1.0? what happens to it? does it stay with the dormant Coyotes? or goes to Utah? Also maybe the Diamondbacks could do what the Montreal Canadians did with the Expos and carry the banners of the Coyotes at Chase Field and bring over the mascot. Maybe True North Sports can buy back the history of the 1.0 Jets?

[@codymachado]

In the past it's followed. The Coyotes aren't technically going dormant. They are ceasing to exist as a franchise but will exist as an entity. When they come back, if they come back, it will be an entirely new franchise with a new history starting from square one, like Seattle and Vegas.

[@bobbypaluga4346]

Meruelo didn’t bother to show up for the Coyotes final game

[@joeyt.]

My guess is that in 5 years the new Phoenix team will have Shane Doan & Austin Mathews as minority owners along with a new Majority owner and ready to move in rink!

[@drizzt102]

Matthews wont be retired in 5 years and id imagine there are some rules and regulations in regards to any share of ownership at all whilst playing in the league so....that part seems kinda a stretch there champ

[@brianjones7660]

why does this matter outside of the B level sport of pro hockey? NBA....NFL....MLB.....NASCAR...... going down, second floor, regional sports,NHL, there we are.

[@drizzt102]

@@brianjones7660 its called integrity. Matthews plays for and is under contract and likely remains so, to a competing organization. Thats what we call a conflict of fucking interest their my guy.

[@ipsbz]

Didn't Gretzky have part ownership of this team at one point? If the GOAT of hockey couldn't make it work, I doubt Doan and Matthews could.

[@wadewixom7029]

I feel bad for true fans in Phoenix and for players and employees whose lives are affected, but after hearing about some of the issues with ownership and community relations, this will be a dramatic improvement. Ryan Smith and Utahans are the antithesis of what has been happening there. We are excited about this here in Utah in a way that can’t even be expressed, and plenty of us still don’t know much about the game. Players will look back and be blown away at the difference here.

[@strykermomCA]

So the Coyotes are moving to Utah? (I know, I guess I'm late to the party! Haven't had time to research whatever's going on!)

[@aaronsedillo]

Yes.

[@aaronsedillo]

Name change to

[@aaronsedillo]

And expansion team might going to Arizona

[@matthewcastleton2263]

@@aaronsedilloin several years maybe. Not right now though

[@MrTAFSIYNOT]

I balled my eyes out when I heard the goal horn and Coyote yell for the last time.... R.I.P. little doggie. There is no doubt in my mind that an arena in downtown Phoenix is the way to go. Phoenix is so spread out, that an arena in North Phoenix wouldn't work. NHL will not likely be back in the next 15 years.

[@JB-sb5ph]

I don’t like the they are not using Salt Lake in the name. The team name should: Salt Lake Golden Eagles

[@brianc.1149]

Couldn't disagree more! I HATE that they call themyhe Salt Lake Olympics. This is a Utah team (which will likely draw from Idaho and Wyoming as well) and it should be named such. I just hope they come up with a better name than the ones I've heard bandied about...

[@tributetoasianathletes]

Are they at least keeping the name to become the Utah Coyotes?

[@sawyertuide7636]

I will always be glad for the memories the Yotes gave me but to put it for what it is, Meurelo is a fraud A Ron Martin figure who likes the man from Southend can’t pay even his hotel bills. If we come back, I hope he isn’t the owner.

[@TimFrith24]

After 28 years, an era for the NHL in Arizona has come to an end as the Arizona Coyotes are relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah beginning next season, but all good things come to an end, and in the words of Willy Wonka: Adieu, adieu. Parting is such sweet sorrow."

[@PWS1717]

How much money was pumped into that franchise by NHL owners over the years in revenue sharing? They must be pi$$ed at Bettman over this, I doubt any of them would agree too or want Meruelo back as an owner again. Hopefully this ends a decades long embarrassment for the NHL.

[@wilbs1959]

I as a Coyotes fan WILL not support any thing to do with Meruelo in the future

[@stevenbauer4799]

More than just revenue sharing was used to keep az. afloat. nhl had to foot bills for unpaid hotels/players. Bettman gave broke barroway his step bro who knows how much to keep az. going. And glendale put tens of $ millions into funding yote losses for years thanks to a horrible last minute lease bettman blackmailed glendale into. This franchise alone has lost over $300 million in the desert. nhl probably got nice write offs for that. yotes alone used $20 mil. in ltir just to hit cap minimum this past season.

[@ianhall6614]

I would wager a bet that the two recent expansions have covered the difference. And the fact that NHL teams have never been worth more than they are now and it’ll just keep going up and up.

[@HHSGDFootballJPD]

Are they though? It's the first time in years that the team is profitable when they played in suboptimal conditions and were sold for $1.2 billion, $200 million of which is spread out to the owners.

[@SS-iv7wv]

Hopefully the Nhl is done with the Arizona experiment. It's obvious by fan support that a team will never make it there. On the flip side, I think Utah will be a great fit for the Coyotes.

[@MyselfTheThird]

Damn, you REALLY ain't paid attention

[@sebastianbelcher5354]

Fans aren't dumb, we showed up cautiously, knowing that the owners treated the team solely as an investment and clearly didn't care about the fans. This went on for well over a decade. Same situation as Seattle, they had a perfectly good stadium but when owners seem to feel contempt for the fans, fans don't want to part with their money. If the Utah experiment turns sour, don't be surprised. The team seems to be an investment over anything else. They could at least pretend to care about the cities and fans....

[@SS-iv7wv]

@@sebastianbelcher5354 I came down there from Vegas all the way back when they played at American West Arena downtown then they moved to Glendale and then to a college arena. I never saw a sold out game there. Not even close.

[@HHSGDFootballJPD]

They were saying the same thing about the Hurricanes in 2015. A little winning and fan support goes along way in most markets...

[@gustavoariasencinas8275]

Smells like John Fisher 2.0 . Zero accountability NHL/Coyotes ownership .

[@AZ2FL2AK]

It is all Alex Meruelo's fault. He left a made-for-NHL arena before another made-for-NHL arena was built in a better location. Like any sport, when the game is more easily reached and the product is good, Phoenix supports them. The NHL wants a team in Phoenix. This owner is an idiot and should never own the next Phoenix NHL team. They should have moved into Veteran's memorial Coliseum. Yes, it would have taken more than the $5M Meruelo spent on the Mullett, but it is the best location with plenty of parking and a great hockey arena. I saw the LA Kings vs the Montreral Canadiens there in January of 1993 for a neutral site game (5-5- tie) and also saw the Phoenix Mustangs win the Turner Cup (WHL) there. would have been a great place for them until a made-for NHL arena was finally bult, or it would have been a great location for a made-for NHL arena. Meruelo is now synonimus with Art Model and Cleveland Browns.

[@erich84502a]

Atlanta Thrashers alert

[@DavidJackson-fs8bp]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 SALT LAKE CITY BABEEEEEE

[@brianjones7660]

Arizona to lose its NHL franchise!! Tonight at 11!!... Later in the newshour ...more on that massive , glowing asteroid hurtling towards Earth and the inevitable destruction of mankind sometime next week... but now, here's Wendi with a LiveEye report from Mullett Arena and the ongoing candlelight vigil for the Coyotes... Good Lord give it a rest people. And hire a focus group for this host and buy him an on-air name that doesn't sound like a B-level porn star opposite Ginger Lynn....hilariously small town character.

[@c95w13]

Why would the city put money into a team that never could never ice a half decent team

[@phantomzonegaming4161]

Ask Utah

[@c95w13]

@@phantomzonegaming4161 touchè

[@ianhall6614]

Hey they went to the conference final in 2011-12 season. Something everyone forgets

[@c95w13]

@@ianhall6614 and never gotten close before or since

[@tombraider2500]

Utah did.

[@anthonyrivera3520]

Move the coyotes to Houston, because Slat Lake City is too far west to be in the central division and I don't want another scenario where a city has an nba, mls, nhl and maybe an mlb team but missing an nfl team, just like how Los Angeles was missing an nfl team from 1995-2015, so move the chargers to Slalt Lake City too.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Too late now

[@matthewcastleton2263]

Utah has never had an NFL team, so, we’re not really missing one. We have college football to fill that void

[@codymachado]

Houston and Phoenix would probably be expansion cities. Maybe Atlanta over Houston depends who has a stronger ownership group

[@Andrewmanaguchi]

It's less about location and more about who is fronting the money right now unfortunately..

[@ianhall6614]

Too far west?

[@midnightman5139]

An MLS team would’ve had a better chance of success in Arizona than the coyotes. I’m sorry to say this but an nhl team there was a long shot that unfortunately failed, and I say this from my time in the state while enrolled at UA.

[@Savethepeople2004]

Dont be surprised if Salt Lake City leads the league in nobody gives a rip

[@tylerdurden4006]

It is not a bitter end if no one cared at all when they had a team. It is really really weird how not one of you cared when they actully had a team and they were the homeless joke of the nhl for years but all of a sudden you all cry about the team leaving? Is it just so you all can cry about something? Bcoz that team left for a reason...

[@brodiebrazil]

did you not see how quickly this escalated in the last 10-15 days. went from certainly staying to... definitely leaving.

[@brianjones7660]

Jason, it is not a privilege to have a team. It's a business we may not choose to support, and they reacted accordingly. Get a life Jason.

[@artycat0811]

SLC city devoid of any cultural and desperately wants to be something other than its not...enjoy that stinky lake and world famous SLC nightlife.

[@xaahd]

I mean anything is better than junkie ridden AZ tbh

[@dmvtrax645]

Call them the Utah racist.

[@brianjones7660]

childish.

[@mikelawlor1533]

You are a terrible person

[@ODSTGodzilla]

Team should have never left 🇨🇦 pretty simple

[@steves1390]

Does meruelo own the roadrunners?

[@phantomzonegaming4161]

Yeah