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Arizona Coyotes talking with prospective investor

The Arizona Coyotes said in a statement Tuesday that the team has had talks with a potential investor who would partner with current owners.
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The Arizona Coyotes said in a statement Tuesday that the team has had talks with a potential investor who would partner with current owners.

Here is the statement:

“In response to media reports today, the Arizona Coyotes can confirm that IceArizona has been in discussions with an unsolicited potential investor who is interested in joining the partnership. This should be viewed as an incredibly positive development and is due to the successful first year of IceArizona’s ownership. This is all about the long-term stability and viability of the franchise in Arizona. By no means are any members of the current IceArizona group departing the ownership. While there has been no confirmation of any transaction, this is something that the current ownership group is exploring.”

The New York Postreported earlier Tuesday that Andrew Barroway, who reportedly came close to purchasing the New York Islanders earlier this year, is close to buying 51 percent of the Coyotes.

The Coyotes filed for bankruptcy in 2009 but were later purchased by the ownership group IceArizona for $170 million in 2013.

USA Today spoke with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly about the Coyotes' ownership:

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly did not confirm Barroway's pursuit of the Coyotes when reached via e-mail, but he also didn't shoot down the idea of an ownership negotiation.

"There should be no concern about ownership," Daly wrote. "It is and will be strong and committed."

Daly reiterated that moving the franchise isn't on anyone's radar, which would suggest that keeping the team in Arizona is the intent of whatever ownership group is in charge.

"Nobody is considering relocation," Daly wrote.

The rebranded Coyotes, which went 37-30-15 last season, open the regular season Oct. 9 against the Winnipeg Jets.

- Chris Johnson