Grizzlies’ Bane returns vs. Thunder after two-month absence
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane is set to make his return against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing over two months with a sprained ankle, head coach Taylor Jenkins announced Saturday.
The future of the Coyotes in Arizona could be decided soon.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that an upcoming land auction could decide whether the Coyotes remain in the State.
“We’ve reached a fork in the road for the Arizona Coyotes,” Friedman said.
The first fork would see the Coyotes buy a piece of land in Arizona and build a new arena, a process that took an important step forward this week.
On Thursday, the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals unanimously approved the $68.5-million appraisal for a portion of land in Phoenix, where the Coyotes hope to build an arena.
That means the Land Department can sell the land at auction but the date for auction must be advertised for 10 weeks. While an exact date has not been set, that time frame puts it on track to not happen before late May or early June.
“I’ve been told multiple times this week, do not estimate Arizona’s ownership’s willingness to do this and to prove that it can do this,” Friedman said.
However, if the Coyotes lose the auction, the club would be forced down the other path in the fork. And that path could include relocation.
“There was an admission that the status quo cannot continue,” Friedman said. “As a result of that, especially if the Coyotes don’t win the auction, relocation will be on the table.”
The Coyotes are nearing the end of their second season playing at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat facility on the campus of Arizona State University. The move to Mullett Arena was necessary after the City of Glendale chose not to renew the team’s lease at the former Gila River Arena following the 2021-22 season.
The Coyotes had a plan in place to build a new arena in the City of Tempe, but that plan was defeated in a public referendum last spring.
The NHL has not had a relocation since the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in 2011.
One likely destination for the Coyotes, if relocation is required, would be Salt Lake City where Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smyth has been very public about his desire to bring an NHL team to his city. A move to Utah would also allow the Coyotes to stay in the Central Division and maintain regional rivalries with the Avalanche, Golden Knights and the three California teams.
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