# Arizona Coyotes (1996–2024)

The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and the Pacific Division (1998–2020) in the Western Conference, and the West Division (2020–2021). They played at America West Arena (now Footprint Center) in downtown Phoenix from 1996 to 2003, at Glendale's Gila River Arena (now Desert Diamond Arena) from 2003 to 2022, and at Mullett Arena in Tempe from 2022 to 2024.
The organization was established on December 27, 1971, as the Winnipeg Jets, a charter franchise of the World Hockey Association (WHA). After seven WHA seasons they were one of four organizations enfranchised by the NHL on June 22, 1979 when the WHA ceased operations. Due to financial troubles, the Jets were sold to American owners who moved the team to Phoenix on July 1, 1996, where they were renamed the Phoenix Coyotes. The franchise name changed to the Arizona Coyotes on June 27, 2014. Alex Meruelo became the majority owner on July 29, 2019.
The team failed to gain long term stability despite the relocation. The NHL took over the Phoenix Coyotes franchise in 2009, when then-owner Jerry Moyes gave up the team after filing for bankruptcy. The NHL maintained control of the franchise until 2013 when they found new ownership willing to keep it in Arizona. Despite a difficult working relationship with the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, the Coyotes were able to secure a year-to-year arrangement to play in the facility until the end of the 2021–22 season. Negotiations with the city then broke down and the team subsequently signed an agreement to play their games at Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University, starting with the 2022–23 season.
After a proposal for a new arena in Tempe was rejected by the residents of the city in May 2023, and following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, the Coyotes suspended hockey operations. In a deal brokered by the NHL, the Coyotes organization was transferred to an expansion franchise in Salt Lake City under ownership of Ryan Smith. The Coyotes, whose name and other intellectual property have been retained by Meruelo, are expected to maintain some business operations, mostly concerning their ongoing efforts to build a new arena in which to play. If the Coyotes secure a new arena by no later than 2029, they will be allowed to rejoin the NHL, with all previous history, records and intellectual property intact. Conversely, should the Coyotes fail to secure a new arena within the specified time frame, the NHL will have the right to fold the franchise. This would result in the complete and permanent cessation of team operations.
* ↑ Kinkopf, Alex (September 20, 2021). "Coyotes' Guide to Style Resurrects White Kachina". ArizonaCoyotes.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved September 21, 2021. The team's new style guide features six colors: red, purple, process black, sand, green and orange.
* ↑ Kinkopf, Alex (May 1, 2020). "The Creation of the Kachina Coyote Logo". ArizonaCoyotes.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved May 21, 2023. But a constant through it all was the color palette: forest green, brick red, sand, sienna, and purple.
* ↑ "Team Name Will Change to Arizona Coyotes at NHL Entry Draft on June 27". ArizonaCoyotes.com. June 23, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
* ↑ "Arizona Coyotes Finalize Sale With New Majority Owner Alex Meruelo". ArizonaCoyotes.com (Press release). July 29, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
* ↑ Multiple sources: Fifield, Jen (January 4, 2019). "Arizona Coyotes to stay in Glendale another year, but future uncertain". The Arizona Republic. Gannett Company. Retrieved July 29, 2019. Bowling, Joshua. "Coyotes' lease set to renew Jan. 1 as team in negotiations for long-term deal in Glendale". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 29, 2021. Kaplan, Emily (August 19, 2021). "City of Glendale terminating Arizona Coyotes' Gila River Arena lease after 2021-22 season". ESPN. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
* ↑ "Coyotes to play 2022-23 season in newly named 'Mullett Arena'". Sportsnet. August 23, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
* ↑ "Arizona Coyotes relocating to Utah: NHL board of governors approves sale to Jazz owner". The Athletic. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
* 1 2 "Board Approves Establishment of New Franchise in Utah, Future Reactivation of Arizona Franchise Should Conditions Be Met". April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.