The Arizona Coyotes have long been plagued by instability, but now they finally have a new owner and a new home.
On April 18, 2024, the NHL approved the sale of the team to billionaire Ryan Smith, who also owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz. The $1.2 billion deal includes the Coyotes’ hockey operations, such as the player roster and draft picks, but not the team’s name, logo, uniforms, or other intellectual property.
Ryan Smith, the CEO and co-founder of online survey software company Qualtrics, is estimated to have a net worth of $2.2 billion. The purchase of the Coyotes comes as a relief to fans, who have been wondering about the team’s future after losing their lease at the Gila River Arena.
In addition to the Coyotes, Ryan Smith owns several Utah sports teams, including the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake. With the purchase of the Coyotes, the NHL confirmed that the team will be relocating to Utah and playing at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City starting in the 2024-2025 season.
The move marks the end of an era for the Coyotes, who played their final game in Arizona on April 17. Sportscaster Tyson Nash, a former Coyotes player, was emotional during the pre-game coverage, expressing his sadness at losing the team.
With the Coyotes’ relocation, Utah will become the home of the NHL’s newest team.
