As Minnesota Drops Out, Jets Headed For Phoenix Arizona Expected To Pick Up Nhl Team In Next Few Days

The Winnipeg Jets have found a new home in Phoenix and intend to play there next season.

“It’s not a done deal yet, but the announcement today in St. Paul makes it clear where we’re headed,” said Jerry Colangelo, the executive who now stands to run three major sports teams in Phoenix.

Colangelo was referring to a news conference in Minnesota, where officials conceded their attempt to land the NHL team had fallen through.

Jets co-owner Richard Burke of Medina, Minn., had entertained thoughts of moving into St. Paul’s refurbished Civic Center, but questions about how much it would cost to renovate the building apparently killed the deal.

“Mr. Burke feels he can make a deal with Phoenix,” Colangelo said. “That should all take place in the next few days.”

The move would be the second this year for an NHL team from a Canadian city to a U.S. city, and make Phoenix the 11th city in the United States with teams at the top level of football, baseball, basketball and hockey. Denver became No. 10 on May 24, acquiring the former Quebec Nordiques.

The relocation must be approved by the NHL Board of Governors, which meets Dec. 14-16 in West Palm Beach, Fla.

It may be a formality since Colangelo and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman are friends, and Bettman wants to see a franchise in Phoenix.

Colangelo, who also runs the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and baseball’s expansion Arizona Diamondbacks, had been negotiating for two weeks with Burke and co-owner Steven Gluckstern, who bought the Jets this year for $65 million.

Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson had considered recalling legislative leaders to back the move, but the legislators weren’t due to convene until Jan. 16, and Carlson’s office conceded Monday the Jets were out of reach.

Winnipeg was admitted into the NHL on June 22, 1979, after eight seasons in the World Hockey Association that included league championships in 1976, 1978 and 1979.

Phoenix now has the minor-league Roadrunners, who joined the International Hockey League in 1989.