Arizona Coyotes May Not Be Able To Build A New Stadium In Phoenix

The Arizona Coyotes' plan to construct a stadium in the Phoenix area for the long term has just been dealt a serious, potentially fatal blow.

In April, news broke that the NHL hoped to get some clarity on the stadium situation facing the Arizona Coyotes, the move to Utah and the possibility for a new arena to be built in Phoenix for a potential Coyotes expansion team. 

READ: NHL Reportedly Wants Arizona-Utah Coyotes Situation Wrapped Up Before The Playoffs

While that timeline came and went without a resolution, hopes remained that the Coyotes would be able to win a land auction in the North Phoenix/Scottsdale area. At the time, the Coyotes announced plans to build an arena and "entertainment district" after winning the bidding.

"My family and I are committed to winning this land auction and building a transformative entertainment district that will not require taxpayer funding for the first time in Arizona history," Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo said.

But those plans have now been put on hold, perhaps forever. The state of Arizona on Friday afternoon canceled the scheduled auction, jeopardizing the ability to put a new building on the available land. And the Coyotes are not happy about it.

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona Coyotes salute the fans after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL game at Mullett Arena on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Coyotes Issue Statement On Land Auction Cancelation

"Today, after over a year of planning and meeting every obligation required under Arizona law, the Arizona State Land Department unilaterally canceled the auction that was scheduled to occur on June 27th for the site that has been identified as the future home of the Arizona Coyotes. The unprecedented action by the State of Arizona seriously jeopardizes the future of NHL hockey returning to the desert," it reads. 

After claiming to have worked "in good faith" with the Arizona State Land Department to buy and develop the site, the post also said the Coyotes are "exploring all of our legal options given this shortsighted decision by the State." 

Several critics though , jumped in to say the Coyotes are being disingenuous with the statement.

"You morons have never worked in good faith - nobody trusts you and nobody wants to work with you," one staffer of a Phoenix Councilmember wrote. "Years of being bad actors means you have to jump through some hoops to earn trust back, and instead you turn to complaining on Twitter."

Even the team's former executive vice president of communications went after Meruelo. "Hopefully, he will finally bow out so that the NHL can begin discussions with other real potential owners," Rich Nairn posted on X.

Seems like this story is just getting started. Stay tuned.