The Arizona Coyotes‘ quest to find a new arena will be back in the spotlight this week.
Per Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports, the Arizona Land Department’s Board of Appeals will discuss a Phoenix site where the Coyotes hope to build an arena on Thursday.
12News in Arizona has reported that an appraisal last week set the minimum sale price at $68.5 million for the land.
The Board of Appeals will decide Thursday whether to put the land up for public auction.
12News says if the board decides for an auction, it will be about 10 weeks later.
Since being kicked out of Gila River Arena after the 2021-22 season, the Coyotes have shared the 4,600-capacity Mullett Arena on the grounds of Arizona State University.
However, speculation has been rampant about the future of the team in Arizona ever since a vote to approve a new arena in Tempe was voted down by residents in 2022. In addition, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh have both recently turned up the heat in comments decrying the status of a new arena.
It typically takes three to five years for NHL teams to have an arena constructed, from approval through use.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith has expressed interest in bringing NHL hockey to Salt Lake City, which has led to rumours about a potential Coyotes move.
