Multiple sources tell PHNX Sports that Alex Meruelo is ending his pursuit of land to build an arena for his dormant NHL team. So it is well and truly dead. The land auction was cancelled because a special use permit would have been required to build an arena in the land. The Coyotes were under the mistaken impression that the zoning designation that would have allowed a youth sports ice complex would also have allowed construction of a NHL arena. However, according to the article, the team knew they’d need a special use permit.
Meruelo had a 5 year exclusive window to re-activate the franchise, but in reality, it was only 3-1/2 years. He had until December 31, 2027 to notify the league he was activating the franchise. But the arena had to be 50% complete by them.
Alex Meruelo is calling it quits. Multiple sources told PHNX Sports that ownership addressed Coyotes staff on Monday, telling them that they have no plans to
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