Ryan Smith says Utah NHL team has already sold more than 6,000 season ticket deposits

The NHL’s Board of Governors voted Thursday to approve the sale of the former Arizona Coyotes players, draft picks, reserve list, and hockey operations staff to the Smith Entertainment Group, owned by Ryan and Ashley Smith.

The Utah franchise will begin play in the 2024–25 season at the Delta Center, which will seat 12,000 fans — including some with obstructed views — in its temporary hockey configuration. Delta Center has served as the home of the NBA’s Jazz since 1991.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday that renovations are expected within two seasons to increase the hockey capacity at Delta Center to 17,000. The Coyotes franchise previously operated out of the 4,600-seat Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.

As part of the sale agreement, Alex Meruelo will retain ownership over the Coyotes franchise, which has been rendered inactive while he attempts to build a permanent arena in Arizona. Meruelo also owns all Coyotes branding and the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, which he intends to move to Mullett Arena for next season. The Roadrunners are expected to remain Utah’s AHL affiliate.

The Utah club will succeed the Seattle Kraken as the NHL’s newest team. The Kraken reportedly sold their first 10,000 season ticket pledges in just 12 minutes during their own ticket drive back in 2018.

Before Thursday’s Board of Governors vote, the Jazz were the only “Big Four” professional sports team in the state of Utah. However, the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies have played out of the 10,000-seat Maverik Center in East Valley City, Utah since 2005.