Coyotes' Cliffhanger: Utah's $1.3 Billion Bet

The Arizona Coyotes are dangling on the edge, and the NHL's pulling out all the stops with a dual-deck schedule for the 2024-25 season – one for staying put, and one for a Salt Lake City shake-up. ESPN's got the scoop: If Arizona's desert dogs can't lock down a new playpen, the league's ready to drop a cool billion to take over, then flip the team to Utah's finest, Ryan and Ashley Smith, for a heftier $1.3 billion.

Salt Lake's siren call: The Smiths, Utah's power couple and masters of the NBA's Jazz, are eyeing a slick move to swing an NHL franchise into their court – the Delta Center's begging for some ice-time action! They've got visions of hockey heroes sharing digs with b-ballers, post a swift reno, naturally.

Arizona's Arena Angst

It's been a rocky road for the Coyotes, booted from their old haunts and crashing at ASU's pad – not quite the big leagues, eh? Local voters said 'no dice' to a mega $2.1 billion entertainment district and ice palace vote. The Coyotes? They're playing coy, keeping lips sealed for now.

The Great Utah Gamble

Ryan Smith ain't just shooting hoops; the software bigwig's got his game face on, hunting for a fresh NHL crew. He's not shy about sprucing up the Delta Center to roll out the welcome mat for the puck-slapping crowd, all while keeping Jazz fans jumping.

Editor: Vitalina Patskan