Reports: Alex Meruelo abandons plan to bring NHL back to Arizona

(Photo credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports)

With no path to construct a new arena in the Phoenix area, Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo is abandoning his plans to revive the franchise, multiple reports said Tuesday.

Meruelo told his remaining staff Monday that he is no longer pursuing a new arena, which was requisite for bringing an NHL team back to Arizona in the future. The franchise is likely to be disbanded with