Editing Arizona Coyotes (section)

===New ownership and the Arizona Coyotes (2013–2024)===
[[File:David Moss (12184171244).jpg|thumb|alt=Moss wearing Coyotes gear|[[David Moss (ice hockey)|David Moss]] during the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]]. He scored the club's final goal under the Phoenix moniker on April 13, 2014. The club was renamed the Arizona Coyotes the next season.]]
Because the team had been in bankruptcy since 2009 and lost revenue each year, the NHL planned to move the Coyotes should a deal with the city for a new lease and new ownership not be decided by July 2, 2013. The plan was to move the franchise to a new city, likely [[Seattle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mynorthwest.com/11/2299943/NHL-closer-to-Seattle-Deal-to-keep-Coyotes-in-Phoenix-hits-potential-snag |title=NHL closer to Seattle? Deal to keep Coyotes in Phoenix hits 'potential snag' – Local |publisher=MyNorthwest.com |date=June 20, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> On July 2, 2013, by a vote of 4–3, the Glendale City Council approved a 15-year lease agreement with Renaissance Sports and Entertainment (RSE), which purchased the team from the NHL for US$225 million by August 5, 2013.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/9446934/glendale-ariz-city-council-ratifies-phoenix-coyotes-arena-lease-agreement |title=Glendale, Ariz., city council ratifies Phoenix Coyotes arena lease agreement |work=ESPN |date=July 3, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> The members of the Canadian group were executive chairman and governor George Gosbee; president, chief executive officer and alternate governor Anthony LeBlanc; alternate governor Craig Stewart; and directors Gary J. Drummond, W. David Duckett, William "Bill" Dutton, Robert Gwin, Scott Saxberg and Richard Walter. RSE partnered with Global Spectrum (owners of the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]) for help in managing Gila River Arena. The agreement had the City of Glendale giving RSE US$15 million per year for management fees. There was a clause stipulating RSE could relocate the team after five years if it accrued US$50 million in losses.<ref name=":0" />

On January 29, 2014, the new ownership group announced that the team would change its name to the "Arizona Coyotes" for the 2014–15 season. According to Coyotes club president Anthony LeBlanc, the change was made to reflect the fact the team is no longer located within Phoenix city limits and to include all hockey fans in the state of Arizona. Aside from a new shoulder patch, the team's uniform design did not change.<ref name="Arizona">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=702889|title=Phoenix Coyotes franchise to become Arizona Coyotes for 2014–15|date=January 29, 2014|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 29, 2014}}</ref> The name officially changed on June 27.<ref name="teamnamechange">{{cite news|title=Team Name Will Change to Arizona Coyotes at NHL Entry Draft on June 27|url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/team-name-will-change-to-arizona-coyotes-at-nhl-entry-draft-on-june-27/c-723498|website=ArizonaCoyotes.com|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=June 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210231838/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/team-name-will-change-to-arizona-coyotes-at-nhl-entry-draft-on-june-27/c-723498|archive-date=December 10, 2017}}</ref>

Following the conclusion of the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]], it was reported that lackluster revenue from parking and non-hockey events enabled the City of Glendale to recoup just $4.4 million, which was significantly less than the $6.8 million the city expected to receive back from sources including parking receipts, ticket sales, and naming rights for the arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2014/05/27/coyotes-deal-glendale-will-come-short/9654953/ |title=Phoenix Coyotes deal with Glendale will come up short |work=The Arizona Republic |date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2015}}</ref>

On June 4, 2014, it was reported that a [[Scottsdale, Arizona]], public-relations firm had sued IceArizona, the owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, alleging the NHL club had reneged on a sponsorship deal worth nearly $250,000. A Coyotes spokesman responded to this issue by calling it a "quarter-million-dollar scheme".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2014/06/03/coyotes-owner-sued-deal/9942991/ |title=Phoenix Coyotes owner sued by Scottsdale PR firm |work=The Arizona Republic |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2015}}</ref> By October, IceArizona entered a deal to sell a 51% controlling interest in the Coyotes to [[Philadelphia]]-based hedge fund manager [[Andrew Barroway]], who had recently failed in his attempt to purchase the [[New York Islanders]].<ref>{{cite web |work=Fox Sports |url=http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/coyotes-agree-to-sell-controlling-interest-to-andrew-barroway-101014 |title=Coyotes agree to sell controlling interest to Andrew Barroway |date=October 10, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2015}}</ref> The deal was approved by the NHL Board of Governors on December 31, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Board of Governors approves sale of majority stake in Coyotes|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=746482 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 31, 2014}}</ref>

During the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]], the team finished last in the Pacific Division with the second-worst record in the NHL. On June 10, 2015, Glendale City Council voted to terminate its 15-year, $225 million agreement with the Coyotes. The city claimed "It was entitled to terminate the agreement because two former city employees, Craig Tindall and Julie Frisoni, were involved in securing the deal and later worked for the Coyotes."<ref>{{cite web |title = Judge orders Glendale to pay Coyotes $3.75 million|url = http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2015/06/29/judge-orders-glendale-pay-arizona-coyotes/29478355/|access-date =October 7, 2015}}</ref> On July 23, 2015, it was announced the Coyotes and City Council had agreed on a resolution.<ref name="Glendale agreement">{{cite web |url=http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=775493 |title=Coyotes and City of Glendale Agree on Resolution |publisher=National Hockey League |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724022300/http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=775493 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GAII">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/13307716/arizona-coyotes-glendale-reach-resolution-arena-dispute |title=Coyotes, Glendale reach resolution on arena lease dispute |work=ESPN |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=July 23, 2015}}</ref> On July 24, 2015, the Coyotes announced the City Council had reached a two-year deal.<ref name="GAIII">{{cite web|url=http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=775530|title=Glendale Approves 2-Year Agreement with Coyotes |publisher=National Hockey League |date=July 24, 2015|access-date=July 25, 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725121827/http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=775530|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the conclusion of the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]], general manager [[Don Maloney]], who had won [[Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award|General Manager of the Year award]] in 2010, was fired from his position after eight seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2016/04/11/sources-don-maloney-out-arizona-coyotes-gm/82890528/ |title=Sources: Don Maloney out as Arizona Coyotes GM |work= [[The Arizona Republic]] |date=April 11, 2016 |access-date=March 23, 2025}}</ref> The Coyotes replaced Maloney with [[John Chayka]], who, at 26 years of age, became the youngest NHL general manager of all time, being promoted from his position as assistant general manager/analytics within the Coyotes staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=881624 |title=Coyotes Name Chayka as General Manager |publisher=National Hockey League |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=September 1, 2016 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817120520/http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=881624 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2016, [[Dawn Braid]] was hired as the Coyotes' skating coach, making her the first female full-time coach in the NHL.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bieler |first=Des |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/24/nhls-first-female-full-time-coach-hired-by-arizona-coyotes/ |title=NHL's first female full-time coach hired by Arizona Coyotes |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref>

On November 14, 2016, the Coyotes announced plans to build a new arena in [[Tempe, Arizona]], which was scheduled to be completed for the 2019–20 NHL season. The project would have included an adjoining 4,000-seat arena to be used for Coyotes practices and as the home for the [[Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey|Arizona State University]] hockey team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coyotes Announce Plans for New East Valley Arena|url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-announce-plans-for-new-east-valley-arena/c-283720238|publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 14, 2016|date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115071209/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-announce-plans-for-new-east-valley-arena/c-283720238|archive-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Burnside |first1=Scott |title=Coyotes have agreement on new stadium deal|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/18046991/arizona-coyotes-deal-new-stadium-east-phoenix|work=ESPN |access-date=November 14, 2016|date=November 14, 2016}}</ref> However, the arena project was withdrawn when ASU pulled out of the deal in February 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/arizona-coyotes-arena-deal-dead-asu-pulls-out-033421590.html |title=Arizona Coyotes arena deal dead, ASU pulls out |first=Greg |last=Wyshynski |work=Puck Daddy |via=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref>

At the end of the 2016–17 season, Barroway bought out the rest of the IceArizona ownership group and became the sole owner of the franchise. Following the transfer, former IceArizona chief executive officer [[Anthony LeBlanc]] and the director of hockey operations Gary Drummond both left the organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19656113/arizona-coyotes-restructure-front-office-andrew-barroway |title=Coyotes CEO Anthony LeBlanc, hockey ops chief Gary Drummond step down |work=ESPN |date=June 16, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2025}}</ref> On June 19, 2017, the Coyotes opted not to re-sign long-time captain Shane Doan, who had been with the franchise since they were the Winnipeg Jets. The Coyotes left Doan<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/coyotes-parting-ways-with-captain-doan-1.783301|title=Coyotes parting ways with captain Doan |date=June 19, 2017 |work=[[The Sports Network|TSN]] |access-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> a standing offer to remain with the team in a non-playing role. On June 22, 2017, head coach [[Dave Tippett]] left his positions within the Coyotes after eight seasons,<ref>{{cite web |title=Coyotes and Tippett Part Ways |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-and-tippett-part-ways/c-290078552 |publisher=Arizona Coyotes |access-date=June 23, 2017|date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623090304/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-and-tippett-part-ways/c-290078552|archive-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> and was succeeded by [[Rick Tocchet]] on July 11, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vest |first1=Dave |title=Tocchet Likes Fit with Coyotes|url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/tocchet-likes-fit-with-coyotes/c-290362704 |publisher=Arizona Coyotes |access-date=July 13, 2017|date=July 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026213623/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/tocchet-likes-fit-with-coyotes/c-290362704|archive-date=October 26, 2017}}</ref>

On December 4, 2018, it was announced that the team would move to the [[Central Division (NHL)|Central Division]] in 2021, changing divisions for the second time since relocating to Arizona, as part of a league realignment following the addition of the [[Seattle Kraken]].<ref name="Move to Central in 2021" /> The team previously played in the Central Division for their first two seasons following their relocation from Winnipeg in 1996. On December 20, 2018, the team extended their lease in Gila River Arena through the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arizona Coyotes to stay in Glendale another year, but future uncertain|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2019/01/04/arizona-coyotes-stay-glendale-another-year-future-uncertain-gila-river-arena/2466673002/|last=Fifield|first=Jen|work=The Arizona Republic|publisher=Gannett Company|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bowling|first=Joshua|title=Coyotes' lease set to renew Jan. 1 as team in negotiations for long-term deal in Glendale|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2020/12/31/az-coyotes-lease-set-renew-jan-1-during-talks-long-term-deal/4100051001/|access-date=June 29, 2021|work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref>

On July 29, 2019, Barroway sold controlling interest in the Coyotes to billionaire [[Alex Meruelo]], with Barroway remaining as a minority owner<ref name="MerueloCoyotes">{{cite press release|title=Arizona Coyotes Finalize Sale With New Majority Owner Alex Meruelo|url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/arizona-coyotes-finalize-sale-with-new-majority-owner-alex-meruelo/c-308383532|website=ArizonaCoyotes.com|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=September 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207030829/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/arizona-coyotes-finalize-sale-with-new-majority-owner-alex-meruelo/c-308383532|archive-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref> until his arrest, which left Meruelo the sole owner of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beardsley |first=Chase |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Coyotes Ownership History: A Less-Than Stellar Tale - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/arizona-coyotes-ownership-history/ |access-date=August 16, 2024 |website=The Hockey Writers}}</ref>

During the [[2020 NHL entry draft]], the Coyotes received widespread backlash and criticism for drafting [[Mitchell Miller (ice hockey)|Mitchell Miller]] in the fourth round (111th pick overall), after allegations surfaced that he had bullied and discriminated against an African-American classmate having a learning disability, during high school in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/oct/30/mitchell-miller-bullying-controversy-arizona-coyotes |title=Mitchell Miller: what the NHL bullying uproar shows us about hockey culture |work=The Guardian |last=Ahmed |first=Shireen |date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/2162185/2020/10/27/arizona-coyotes-mitchell-miller-bullying-nhl/ |title='There is a victim out there': Coyotes, NHL knew of Mitchell Miller's ugly past |work=The Athletic |last=Portzline |first=Aaron |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> Soon thereafter, they renounced his draft rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2020/10/29/arizona-coyotes-renounce-rights-controversial-pick-mitchell-miller/6073962002/ |title=Arizona Coyotes cut ties with controversial draft pick Mitchell Miller |last1=Romero |first1=José M. |last2=Harris |first2=Craig |work=The Arizona Republic |date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

For the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]-shortened 2020–21 season the Coyotes were placed in the reformed [[West Division (NHL)|West Division]] and played a division-only 56-game schedule.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2021-nhl-season-division-realignment-coronavirus-protocols-stanley-cup-playoffs-dates/ |title=2021 NHL season: Division realignment, coronavirus protocols, Stanley Cup Playoffs dates |last=Blackburn |first=Pete |work=CBS Sports |date=January 13, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> They finished in fifth place with 54 points, outside of the playoffs. After the season, the team and coach Rick Tocchet mutually agreed to part ways.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2021/05/09/coyotes-rick-tocchet-agree-part-ways/5015229001/ |title=Coyotes, Rick Tocchet agree to part ways; search for new coach under way |work=The Arizona Republic |last1=Romero |first1=José M. |date=May 9, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> [[Andre Tourigny]] was hired as head coach of the Coyotes on July 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/coyotes-name-andre-tourigny-eighth-head-coach-franchise-history/ |title=Coyotes name Andre Tourigny eighth head coach in franchise history |work=Sportsnet |agency=Associated Press |date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Andre Tourigny introduced as Head Coach of the Coyotes.webm|thumb|right|Discussion with [[Andre Tourigny]] shortly after he was named coach of the Coyotes in 2021]]
For the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]], the Coyotes moved into the Central Division upon the arrival of the Kraken in the [[Pacific Division (NHL)|Pacific Division]].<ref name="Move to Central in 2021">{{cite web |title=Seattle Awarded National Hockey League's 32nd Franchise |url=https://media.nhl.com/public/news/12481 |publisher=National Hockey League |date=December 4, 2018 |access-date=December 4, 2018}}</ref> In the [[2021 NHL entry draft]], the Coyotes would select [[Josh Doan]], son of former Coyotes player [[Shane Doan]]; Josh would later play with the Coyotes in 2024. On August 19, 2021, the city of Glendale and the Gila River Arena chose to not renew their operating agreement with the Coyotes beyond the 2021–22 season,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc15.com/sports/city-of-glendale-decides-not-to-renew-operations-agreement-with-arizona-coyotes |title=City of Glendale decides not to renew operations agreement with Arizona Coyotes |work=ABC 15 Arizona |date=August 19, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> as the team's lease had been renewed each year since 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Glendale terminating Arizona Coyotes' Gila River Arena lease after 2021–22 season|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32051882/city-glendale-terminating-arizona-coyotes-gila-arena-lease-2021-22-season|last=Kaplan|first=Emily|work=ESPN|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref> The franchise entered negotiations with [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]] to develop a new arena on an old solid waste compost yard,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://azpbs.org/horizon/2021/07/the-arizona-coyotes-hockey-team-plans-to-move-to-tempe/ |title=The Arizona Coyotes hockey team plans to move to Tempe |work=Arizona PBS |date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> but the terrain had problems regarding [[environmental remediation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/08/02/coyotes-proposed-land-remediation-costs/ |title=Environmental remediation costs present challenge for Coyotes' proposed Tempe arena site |work=Cronkite News |last=Greenstein |first=Henry |date=August 2, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> On September 3, they submitted a proposal to build a new arena in Tempe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/2800082/arizona-coyotes-submit-bid-to-build-new-arena-in-tempe/|title=Arizona Coyotes submit bid to build new arena in Tempe |website=Arizona Sports |last=Rice |first=Willis |date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Mullett Arena From the East End.jpg|thumb|alt=A hockey rink with seats sparsely filled|Coyotes and the [[New York Rangers]] warm up prior to a game at [[Mullett Arena]], October 2022]]
On December 8, 2021, the Coyotes were informed that they would be locked out of [[Gila River Arena]] on December 20, 2021, if they did not pay $1.3 million owed in taxes, including $250,000 to the City of Glendale. The team paid the bills the next day, citing "unfortunate human error" as the cause of the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/coyotes-facing-eviction-from-arena-1.6279099|title=Arizona Coyotes pay overdue bills to avoid arena eviction|first=John|last=Marshall|date=December 9, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |work=CBC Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] |access-date=March 23, 2025}}</ref> In late January 2022, the Coyotes were in talks with [[Arizona State University]] (ASU) to use their new 5,000-seat arena as a temporary home arena for the next few years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report: Coyotes working on a deal to play at the 5,000-seat arena at ASU |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/report-coyotes-working-deal-play-5000-seat-arena-asu/|access-date=January 28, 2022|website=Sportsnet}}</ref> On February 10, 2022, the Coyotes signed a three-year agreement to play their games at [[Mullett Arena]], starting with the [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/arizona-coyotes--arizona-state-university-announce-agreement-that-will-allow-coyotes-to-play-at-asus-new-multi-purpose-arena-next-season/c-330674434 |title=Coyotes to Play at ASU's Multi-Purpose Arena Next Season |access-date=March 23, 2025 |publisher=Arizona Coyotes |date=February 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309135613/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/arizona-coyotes--arizona-state-university-announce-agreement-that-will-allow-coyotes-to-play-at-asus-new-multi-purpose-arena-next-season/c-330674434 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2022}}</ref> On April 29, 2022, the Coyotes played their final home game at the Gila River Arena against the [[Nashville Predators]], with a 5–4 comeback win. On October 28, 2022, the Coyotes would make their debut in the [[Mullett Arena]], which sold out to a crowd of 4,600 people that day, in a 3–2 overtime loss to the current [[Winnipeg Jets]] franchise, with [[Christian Fischer]] scoring the first two goals of the franchise at the arena for that game.

====Asset transfer to Utah and suspension of operations====
{{see also|Utah Mammoth}}
A proposal by the Coyotes to build a [[New Tempe Arena|new arena in Tempe]] was rejected by residents of the city on May 16, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=Coyotes' arena plan in Tempe rejected by voters; future cloudy |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37666891/coyotes-arena-plan-tempe-rejected-voters-future-cloudy |work=ESPN |access-date=May 17, 2023 |date=May 16, 2023}}</ref> The arena was estimated to cost $2.1 billion, with $1.9 billion of the cost privately funded. Despite speculation on immediate relocation, the team remained in Arizona, playing at Mullett Arena during the [[2023–24 NHL season]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=NHL: Coyotes to play at ASU despite no vote |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37671200/nhl-coyotes-play-asu-no-vote |work=ESPN |access-date=May 17, 2023 |date=May 17, 2023}}</ref> The Coyotes spoke with the city of [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] about a potential arena at the [[Fiesta Mall]] site, but that plan was ultimately rejected for unknown reasons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Welch |first1=Dennis |title=Sources: Arizona Coyotes consider former site of Fiesta Mall in Mesa for sports arena |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2023/05/18/sources-arizona-coyotes-consider-former-site-fiesta-mall-mesa-sports-arena/ |website=azfamily.com |access-date=May 18, 2023 |date=May 18, 2023}}</ref> In January 2024, Scottsdale mayor David Ortega announced his opposition to a Coyotes' proposal, which planned an arena in northern Phoenix near the border of Scottsdale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Ben |title=Scottsdale mayor opposes Arizona Coyotes' 'fantasy' arena location in north Phoenix |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2024/04/08/scottsdale-mayor-opposes-arizona-coyotes-fantasy-arena-location-north-phoenix/ |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=azfamily.com |date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> Following this, the Coyotes initially stated on social media their commitment to keeping the team in Arizona.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=ArizonaCoyotes |number=1778141750311436348 |date=April 10, 2024 |title=Committed to keeping Coyotes Hockey in the desert & building an arena in Phoenix. |access-date=April 13, 2024}}</ref> They announced that the ownership was intent on winning a land auction for {{convert|110|acre}} of state-owned land between [[Scottsdale Road]] and [[Loop 101]] in Phoenix to build an arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-state-land-auction-privately-funded-arena-2024|title=Coyotes Announce Commitment to Win State Land Auction & Build Privately Funded Arena & Entertainment District|access-date=March 23, 2025|publisher=Arizona Coyotes|date=April 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408195336/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-state-land-auction-privately-funded-arena-2024|archive-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> However, the auction had been delayed from January to June 2024, which likely played a part into the ownership's final decision with the franchise near the end of the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Timeline for potential Coyotes land deal raising concern amid already drawn-out process|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/08/arizona-coyotes-hunt-for-new-arena|access-date=March 23, 2025|publisher=Sports Business Journal|date=February 8, 2024}}</ref>

On April 10, 2024, it was reported that, with the NHL's permission, the Coyotes were making efforts to relocate to [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]], following concerns about an indefinite timeframe for finding a new arena and the effects of continued play at Mullett Arena, in the interim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39966564/coyotes-bid-arizona-farewell-bittersweet-win-oilers|title=Coyotes bid Arizona farewell with bittersweet win over Oilers|date=April 17, 2024|access-date=April 18, 2024|website=ESPN.com |quote=There could be a new arena – eventually. Meruelo had been pursuing a tract of land in north Phoenix to build it. When delays pushed the land auction until June, the NHL and the players' association got cold feet about continuing to play at Mullett Arena, the loud-but-bandbox-sized venue shared with Arizona State University. Meruelo was adamant about not selling the team despite constant offers since he bought it in 2019, but he also didn't want the players stuck playing in a 5,000-seat arena – by far the NHL's smallest – that wasn't up to league standards in the long-term period. With no guarantee that he would have an arena in the state of Arizona and with no other options, Meruelo agreed to sell the franchise.|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418113538/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39966564/coyotes-bid-arizona-farewell-bittersweet-win-oilers |archive-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref> This led to the NHL buying the franchise then reselling it to [[Ryan Smith (businessman)|Ryan Smith]], owner of the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), for a reported $1.2 billion.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Elliotte |title=NHL, Arizona Coyotes preparing for possible relocation to Utah |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/nhl-arizona-coyotes-preparing-for-possible-relocation-to-utah/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=April 13, 2024 |date=April 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Report: NHL, Coyotes make progress on framework for Utah relocation |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/report-nhl-preparing-two-scenarios-for-coyotes-future-including-utah-move/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=April 13, 2024 |date=April 10, 2024}}</ref> Of that payment, $1 billion went to Coyotes owner [[Alex Meruelo]] for the sale (with Meruelo agreeing to refund the money to the NHL as an expansion fee should his efforts to locate a new home for the franchise succeed) and $200 million went to the NHL's other 31 owners, as the equivalent of a relocation fee. The Utah team will play its home games at the Jazz's home arena, the [[Delta Center]]. Renovations will be required to make it the team's permanent home, similar to the renovations made to [[Climate Pledge Arena]] before the Kraken began play in the NHL two seasons prior.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |last2=Wyshynski|first2=Greg|title=Coyotes could relocate to Salt Lake City as part of NHL plan |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39915208/coyotes-relocate-salt-lake-city-part-nhl-plan |website=ESPN.com |access-date=April 15, 2024 |date=April 10, 2024}}</ref>

On April 12, 2024, ahead of a 3–2 overtime win against the [[Edmonton Oilers]] at [[Rogers Place]], general manager Bill Armstrong officially disclosed the news of the team's impending sale and relocation to Coyotes players and staff. Five days later, on April 17, the Coyotes played their final game at Mullett Arena, and ultimately their last game before deactivation, against the same Oilers team. With the fans engaging in one last Whiteout (and audibly heard chanting phrases such as "Salt Lake sucks" and "we love you Coyotes" throughout the game), the Coyotes won 5–2, with [[Sean Durzi]] scoring the final goal of the team's first incarnation, into an [[Empty net goal|empty net]]. Amongst the events of the game, Shane Doan was given his retirement banner (which had been lost by the team in the move to Mullett Arena but had been rediscovered by a local fan), and following the end of the game the fans gave the outgoing team a standing ovation, and the players, in turn, spent over an hour afterward on the ice giving away team apparel and equipment (also signing a majority of the fan gifts), as well as taking a final team picture on the ice and taking turns hugging and thanking longtime equipment manager Stan Wilson, who had moved with the team from Winnipeg in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coyotes give fans a win in final Arizona game, fans show plenty of love |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2024/04/17/coyotes-fans-create-unique-atmosphere-in-last-game-at-mullett-arena/73253893007/|access-date=April 18, 2024 |date=April 17, 2024 |website=azcentral.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Alan |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-arizona-coyotes-game-recap-april-17 |title=Guenther's 2 points help Coyotes defeat Oilers |website=NHL.com |date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref> The following day, the sale and relocation was officially approved, and the team was officially deactivated until further notice.

It subsequently emerged that the Utah club was considered an expansion team, not a relocated Coyotes team. In a deal that effectively split the Coyotes franchise in half, Smith acquired the Coyotes' player contracts, hockey operations staff, and draft picks while the Coyotes went "dormant" pending a permanent arena. This move was similar to the [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL), with the Coyotes continuing minor business operations, mostly focused on finding a new arena. Meruelo remained on the NHL Board of Governors as an observer, retaining the rights to the Coyotes brand and history (including the history and records of the 1972–1996 Winnipeg Jets), with a five-year window to build or otherwise locate a new arena for his team, before "reactivating" the Coyotes through an expansion draft. Conversely, if Meruelo were to fail to come up with a suitable arena by end of that five-year window, he would be required to permanently halt franchise operations and cede the franchise back to the NHL.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wyshynski |first=Greg |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39940303/nhl-arizona-coyotes-move-utah-new-name-schedule-players-coaches |title=Everything we know about the Arizona Coyotes moving to Utah – How is the transaction going to work? |website=ESPN.com |date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |quote=It's expected that the final transaction will include a clause that allows Meruelo to "reactivate" the franchise as an expansion team—paying what's expected to be a $1 billion expansion fee if that happens—between now and 2029 if his arena project is completed. All of the team's intellectual property—including those iconic Kachina jerseys—would remain with Meruelo. It's an agreement that evokes the deal made with the city of Cleveland when the Browns moved to Baltimore in 1995.}}</ref> The sale was finalized on April 18, after the NHL Board of Governors voted to grant a new Utah franchise to Smith, effectively expanding the NHL to a total of 33 clubs, if the Coyotes succeeded in building a new team arena.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cotsonika |first1=Nicholas |title='Utah's ready for a team,' new owner says |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/utah-is-ready-for-an-nhl-hockey-team-jazz-owner-ryan-smith-says |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref>

On June 21, 2024, the Arizona State Land Department canceled a land auction for a 110-acre parcel of land in north Phoenix which Meruelo intended to purchase as a site for a new arena.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40403806/coyotes-slam-cancellation-june-27-arizona-land-auction |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |title=Coyotes slam cancellation of June 27 Arizona land auction |first=Greg |last=Wyshynski |department=NHL}}</ref> Three days later, it was reported that Meruelo had told staff he had no plans to pursue further arena options for the team.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=[[Arizona Republic]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2024/06/24/arizona-coyotes-owner-alex-meruelo-giving-up-pursuit-of-nhl-arena-report-says/74201793007/ |title=Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo giving up pursuit of NHL arena, report says |via=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |department=Coyotes}}</ref> At the Board of Governors meeting on June 26, Meruelo informed Bettman that he was not pursuing the franchise reactivation.<ref name="defunct?">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/bettman-confirms-meruelo-will-not-be-re-activating-coyotes-franchise/ |title=Bettman confirms Meruelo will not be re-activating Coyotes franchise |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref> Meruelo formally relinquished his rights to the franchise as well as its intellectual property on July 10.<ref name="relinquish">{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2024 |title=Report: Alex Meruelo officially relinquishes rights to Coyotes |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/report-alex-meruelo-officially-relinquishes-rights-to-coyotes/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=[[Sportsnet.ca]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/future-of-nhl-hockey-in-arizona-unclear-without-new-arena-development/ | title = Future of NHL hockey in Arizona unclear without new arena development | last = Engels | first = Eric | date = June 27, 2024 | publisher = Rogers Media | access-date = March 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Embattled Meruelo leaving Coyotes ownership after failed land auction |url=https://apnews.com/article/arizona-coyotes-utah-nhl-8fe43ee05915109c35d2c1ca4136af7c |website=Associated Press |date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name="defunct?" />