In a surprising turn of events, the future of the National Hockey League (NHL) in Arizona has become uncertain as Alex Meruelo, the owner of the Coyotes franchise, has reportedly given up on reviving the team. The announcement was made by Meruelo's son, Alex Meruelo Jr., to the few remaining employees of the organization on Monday, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Speculation about the Coyotes' future arose after it was revealed that Meruelo needed to have an arena underway by late 2027 to reactivate the franchise. However, the NHL had been urging Meruelo to sell the team, eventually leading to a sale to Utah billionaire Ryan Smith. As part of the agreement, Meruelo had exclusive, nontransferable rights to reactivate the franchise if he successfully built an arena within five years.

Despite this provision, there were doubts about Meruelo's ability to meet the stringent requirements, considering his previous inability to construct an NHL arena while he was the owner. The cancellation of a land auction last week dealt a significant blow to his prospects. The Arizona State Land Department announced the cancellation, stating that Meruelo had not obtained the necessary permit to build on the land intended for the arena.

The cancellation of the land auction seemed to be the final blow to Meruelo's hopes of reviving the Coyotes franchise. In response, the Coyotes, although no longer an NHL team, expressed their concerns and stated that this action by the State of Arizona seriously jeopardizes the return of NHL hockey to the area.

Former Coyotes communications executive, Rich Nairn, urged Meruelo to step aside so that the NHL could engage in discussions with potential owners who could truly support the team. It now appears that Meruelo has indeed bowed out, leaving the future of professional hockey in Arizona uncertain.

The next steps for the NHL in Arizona remain unclear, as the search for a new owner and a suitable arena may now begin. The fate of the Coyotes brand still rests with Meruelo, but the absence of concrete plans for the team's revival raises questions about the team's future.

As hockey enthusiasts and fans await further developments, the NHL will undoubtedly be exploring alternatives to ensure the sport's presence in Arizona continues. It remains to be seen what lies ahead for professional hockey in the desert state.