In a unanimous decision, the National Hockey League's Board of Governors has officially approved the sale and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes franchise to Salt Lake City for the start of the 2024-2025 season. Ending their 28-year stay in Arizona, the team's move to Utah has been met with excitement and anticipation.

Utah's vibrant and thriving state was identified as an ideal new home for the NHL franchise. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to be a part of Utah and are delighted to welcome Ashley and Ryan Smith to the NHL family. We thank them for their collaborative efforts to resolve this complex situation in an unprecedented and beneficial way."

Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, will assume ownership of the team, as part of the sale agreement. He and Ashley Smith, owners of Smith Entertainment Group, released a statement expressing their honor and commitment as stewards of the new NHL franchise in Utah. They emphasized their intent to build a Stanley Cup contending team and bring a lasting impact to the state.

The team is expected to play their home games at the Delta Center, which served as the venue for the hockey competition during the 2002 Winter Olympics. This move brings an end to years of uncertainty surrounding the Coyotes franchise and its future in Arizona, which has been plagued by poor on-ice results and mismanagement under multiple owners.

The Coyotes were initially established in 1996 when they were relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix. After facing financial struggles and ownership changes, the team moved to Glendale in 2003. Despite efforts to secure a new arena in Tempe, the team encountered setbacks, leading to the end of their lease with Glendale and a subsequent relocation to the ASU's 5,000-seat capacity Mullett Arena in Tempe.

The Coyotes' tenure in Arizona saw limited success on the ice, with only nine playoff appearances. They last made the playoffs in 2012, reaching the Western Conference Finals. With a playoff record of 26-40 and three series victories, the team's performance fell short of expectations.

As part of the sale agreement, the NHL reserves the right to reactivate the Coyotes franchise if owner Alex Meruelo constructs a new state-of-the-art facility appropriate for an NHL team within the next five years. Meruelo expressed his agreement with the NHL's decision and stated his commitment to constructing a first-class sports arena and entertainment district in Arizona without relying on public financial support.

The announcement of the team's relocation to Salt Lake City all but confirms that the franchise will undergo a rebranding with a new name and brand identity before the start of the next season. Hockey fans in Utah eagerly await the arrival of their new NHL team, hoping for a fresh start and a bright future in their hockey-loving state.