Insider says relocating the Coyotes would cost more than people think

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Cooper Godin
March 15, 2024 (8:41 PM)

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The Arizona Coyotes are currently focused on finding a permanent home in the state and as of Thursday, have had their application approved for an upcoming land auction in North Phoenix, which is expected to occur at some point in June.

If the Coyotes are unsuccessful during the land auction in June, they could be forced into a difficult situation - relocation. There have been relocation rumours surrounding the Arizona Coyotes for several years now, but over the last six months, it seems like it's become an actual possibility if they are unable to find a new permanent home soon.

During Friday's edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said that the cost to relocate the Arizona Coyotes is going to be a lot higher of a number than many people think. Friedman cites the reasons being the relocation fee and another fee to buy-out the Arizona Coyotes' current ownership group.

"If, and I stress 'if' Arizona ends up moving, you're going to be surprised to hear the number that ends up with that team, because part of it's going to be a relocation fee and part of it would end up being a fee to buy-out the current owners" Friedman said.

One location that has been mentioned as a potential fit for the Arizona Coyotes is Salt Lake City, Utah. Ryan Smith, the owner of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz has expressed interest in bringing an NHL franchise to the city and state to Commissioner Gary Bettman and if it's not through relocation, they'll most likely get an expansion franchise.

Salt Lake City currently has an arena ready to go with a capacity for hockey that's just under 15,000. The city is also reportedly going to be hosting the Winter Olympics in 2034, which will require a new hockey arena, so it's entirely possible that if the Coyotes, or an expansion team, comes to Utah, they'll play at Delta Center on an interim basis for a few years until a new rink is built.

Which location do you think would be the best spot for the Arizona Coyotes to relocate to - Salt Lake City or Houston? Let us know what you think in the poll below.