The National Hockey League announced Monday that its board of governors has approved the sale of the troubled Phoenix Coyotes to a group headed by George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc.
The deal ends league ownership of the team, which could not assemble an ownership group after several attempts and was considered a relocation candidate.
"The National Hockey League believes in Arizona as an NHL market and that these new owners can provide the Coyotes the opportunity to secure a stable, long-term future," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.
City officials in Glendale, Arizona, build a new arena for the team but were paying the league each year to offset expenses for operating in the Phoenix suburb, the Coyotes being the only tenant and top lure to bring people to shops and restaurants near the arena.
"We thank the Coyotes' devoted fans for their patient, persevering support," Bettman said. "We are extremely pleased that a positive resolution has been achieved for the fans, the city, the Coyotes and the league."
Source: DSG
