There have been rumors for some time that Arizona will be sold and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah.
And last night it was confirmed.
– It is no secret what is written on the internet. Normally, not everything on the internet is true, but in this case it is quite true, says businessman Ryan Smith Sports Business Journal.
“Will add a lot”
Smith, who owns the Utah Jazz, which plays basketball in the NBA, is reported to pay around 1.2 billion dollars (equivalent to more than 13 billion kroner) for the club, according to North American media.
– We will add a lot to the NHL. I think we are the youngest ownership group in professional sports, and hopefully we can give more than we take from the league, says the 45-year-old.
Beat Edmonton 5–2
According to Canadian Sportsnet the NHL’s owners will meet later on Thursday to approve the deal.
The Arizona Coyotes ended their time in the NHL by missing the playoffs for the last four seasons. However, they ended the time in Arizona by winning 5-2 at home against Edmonton last night, and were celebrated with a standing ovation from the crowd.
After the match, many of the supporters – where several were seen crying – thanked the club with self-made signs with various grateful messages in the style of “We will miss you”. In addition, large parts of the club’s staff stepped out onto the ice and thanked the supporters before pictures were taken where the entire team sat on the ice together with the management staff.