Alex Meruelo backing out of ownership of Coyotes after land auction shelved, AP source says

By JOHN MARSHALL The Associated Press

FILE - Arizona Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, arrive at a news conference regarding a provision for Arizona to get an expansion team if a new arena is built within the next five years with the announcement of the current team relocating to Salt Lake Cit, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Phoenix. Alex Meruelo is walking away from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes, putting hockey's future further in doubt. Meruelo's son, Alex Jr., told Coyotes staff of the decision on Monday, June 24, 2024, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public.. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ross D. Franklin]

PHOENIX (AP) — Alex Meruelo is walking away from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes, putting hockey’s future in the desert further in doubt. Meruelo’s son, Alex Jr., told Coyotes staff of the decision on Monday, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public. Meruelo’s decision to walk away from the franchise comes four days after the Arizona State Land Department announced it was canceling an auction for a 110-acre tract of land in north Phoenix that had been targeted for a new arena. The ASLD canceled and reordered the steps for the auction on the tract of land appraised at $68.5 million, citing the need for a special use permit for the project.