![Ross D. Franklin FILE - Arizona Coyotes players acknowledge the fans after an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on April 17, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. An auction for a tract of land on which Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo had hoped to build a new arena has been canceled. The Arizona State Land Department announced Friday, June 21, it was canceling next Thursday's auction and reordering the steps so the applicant can file for a special use permit. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/83792a2d76f1420b990c2f9ebc6ef060/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
FILE - Arizona Coyotes players acknowledge the fans after an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on April 17, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. An auction for a tract of land on which Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo had hoped to build a new arena has been canceled. The Arizona State Land Department announced Friday, June 21, it was canceling next Thursday's auction and reordering the steps so the applicant can file for a special use permit. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
![Ross D. Franklin FILE - Arizona Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo speaks at a news conference regarding a provision for Arizona to get an expansion team if a new arena is built within the next five years with the announcement of the current team relocating to Salt Lake City, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Phoenix. Alex Meruelo is walking away from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes, putting hockey's future further in doubt. Meruelo's son, Alex Jr., told Coyotes staff of the decision on Monday, June 24, 2024, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/b95f32d7e9554e8cafb6fbf5bc367067/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
FILE - Arizona Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo speaks at a news conference regarding a provision for Arizona to get an expansion team if a new arena is built within the next five years with the announcement of the current team relocating to Salt Lake City, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Phoenix. Alex Meruelo is walking away from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes, putting hockey's future further in doubt. Meruelo's son, Alex Jr., told Coyotes staff of the decision on Monday, June 24, 2024, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
![Ross D. Franklin FILE - Arizona Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, arrive at a news conference regarding a provision for Arizona to get an expansion team if a new arena is built within the next five years with the announcement of the current team relocating to Salt Lake Cit, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Phoenix. Alex Meruelo is walking away from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes, putting hockey's future further in doubt. Meruelo's son, Alex Jr., told Coyotes staff of the decision on Monday, June 24, 2024, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public.. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/7013bb23ccf14d71809a3a103cf801f9/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
FILE - Arizona Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, arrive at a news conference regarding a provision for Arizona to get an expansion team if a new arena is built within the next five years with the announcement of the current team relocating to Salt Lake Cit, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Phoenix. Alex Meruelo is walking away from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes, putting hockey's future further in doubt. Meruelo's son, Alex Jr., told Coyotes staff of the decision on Monday, June 24, 2024, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public.. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)