Arizona Coyotes may be revived through Phoenix billionaire
The Arizona Coyotes were relocated in 2024 despite plenty of support, but now one Phoenix billionaire could be looking to bring them back in a hurry.
After years of struggling to make an impact in the NHL, the Arizona Coyotes officially became the Utah Hockey Club in 2024, but with former owner Alex Meruelo looking to bring the team back, the Coyotes retained their heritage. Now, it could be another key figure in Phoenix that will bring them back, as Phoenix Suns billionaire owner Mat Ishiba has reportedly been expressing his interest in owning the team and bringing them back as an expansion team.
Mat Ishiba has expressed interest in bringing an NHL franchise back to Phoenix, Arizona 🇺🇸 as an expansion franchise.
Ishiba wouldn't comment on if he has already had talks with the NHL, but if discussions advance in the next few years alongside plans for a new arena, it wouldn't surprise many to see the Phoenix market re-added to the league within the next ten years.
The league retained the branding rights to the Coyotes when Meruelo conceded his rights to the franchise earlier this month, which could be sold to Ishbia as part of an expansion deal.
The 44-year old is the CEO and chairman of United Wholesale Mortgage, and is the owner of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) 🇺🇸 and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) 🇺🇸
He is worth $10.1b as of May 2024.
Ishiba wouldn't comment on if he has already had talks with the NHL, but if discussions advance in the next few years alongside plans for a new arena, it wouldn't surprise many to see the Phoenix market re-added to the league within the next ten years.
The league retained the branding rights to the Coyotes when Meruelo conceded his rights to the franchise earlier this month, which could be sold to Ishbia as part of an expansion deal.
The 44-year old is the CEO and chairman of United Wholesale Mortgage, and is the owner of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) 🇺🇸 and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) 🇺🇸
He is worth $10.1b as of May 2024.
It's not yet clear what stage of interest Ishiba is in and whether or not he has talked to the NHL, but given his net worth of $10.1 billion and the Coyotes immense support in Arizona, a well run team would be supported in numbers. There have been reports that Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta and Quebec City have all expressed an interest in becoming expansion cities, so it's unclear if the Coyotes will ever come back, but for now, Ishiba could be the man to do it.
Source: Hockey Patrol
New plan for the Arizona Coyotes to return to the NHL officially in motion
New plan for the Arizona Coyotes to return to the NHL officially in motion
| POLL | ||
25 JUILLET | 109 ANSWERS Arizona Coyotes may be revived through Phoenix billionaire Should the Arizona Coyotes be revived in the next five years? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 17.4 % |
| No | 90 | 82.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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