Coyotes deny rumor of sale, relocation to Houston

The Arizona Coyotes affirmed their desire to remain in the desert after rumors circulated Thursday that the club is up for sale with a plan to relocate to Houston.

"This is false. Totally false. We're not selling. We're not moving. The Coyotes are 100% committed to playing in Arizona," the team said, per ESPN's Emily Kaplan.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman denied the relocation report as well, calling it "completely false," according to Craig Morgan of Phoenix Sports.

Relocation rumors have hung over the Coyotes for much of their existence. While ownership says it's steadfast in its intention to keep the team in Arizona, the franchise faces major uncertainty as early as next season. The city of Glendale announced in August it won't renew the operating agreement next season for city-owned Gila River Arena - where the club has played since 2003-04.

The Coyotes filed a bid for a new facility in nearby Tempe in September, but the evaluation process is ongoing.

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