Report: Coyotes' Meruelo talking to potential buyers to gauge interest in team

Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has “spoken to multiple potential buyers ... to gauge their interest in purchasing the NHL franchise from him,” according to John Gambadoro of ARIZONA SPORTS. Those potential buyers are located inside and outside of Arizona. Meruelo is seeking “upward of $1 billion” for the franchise that he bought in July 2019. He recently met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman “regarding the team’s future.” A Coyotes spokesperson when asked about talks with potential buyers instead referenced the team’s plan to acquire the land necessary to build a privately-funded development anchored by an arena. The spokesperson said, “Mr. Meruelo and the team are solely focused on the land auction and winning the bid. And to keep the Coyotes in Arizona” (ARIZONA SPORTS, 4/4).