Former Arizona Coyotes owner to dissolve what's left of franchise

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Sam Hutch
June 25, 2024 (5:50 PM)

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Former Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has finally put the final nail in what's left of the franchise by returning the team back to the NHL.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes story has come to an end after an agonizing few years. The franchise will be no more and will be returned to the NHL. It can now only be brought back through expansion.

According to Puck Report and Sportico, Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has told what's left of the staff that he will be dissolving what's left of the Coyotes in the next month or so.

‼️🚨 #Yotes owner Alex Meruelo has told remaining executives that he is dissolving what's left of the franchise within a month, per
@Sportico
.

#Yotes name, logo, and rights to PHX area will be returned to the NHL

He will keep Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) and move them to Reno, NV upon completion of a a new 10,600-seat arena (2026/2027?)

What a terrible end to the Arizona Coyotes history as a hockey team, highlighted by not only their troubles on the ice, but a poor leadership group that was completely out of their depth in owning an National Hockey League team.

The consultation is the fact that Meruelo still owns the American Hockey League's Tucson Roadrunners, but even he plans to move the team to Reno, Nevada after a new arena is built there in a few years.

The Arizona Coyotes and Tucson Roadrunners fans deserved better all around. This is a horrible ending to the franchise. Especially after how long fans were strung along.