Phoenix Coyotes fans were set to get a big boost off the ice before the team bids to make history on it Monday night by securing a first trip to the Western Conference finals.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will hold a news conference in Glendale, Ariz., before the Coyotes attempt to eliminate the Nashville Predators in Game 5, where he was expected to announce that a deal has been struck toward keeping the loss-making franchise in Arizona.
A person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that a tentative deal by the NHL to sell the Coyotes to former San Jose Sharks CEO Greg Jamison is expected to be announced before the game.
Bettman effectively will endorse Jamison's proposed financing for the bid, which will still require approval from NHL owners and the Glendale City Council.
The Coyotes, who lead the best-of-seven series with the Predators 3-1, have been owned by the NHL since 2009 and were said to be bleeding between $20 million to $25 million each season.
Jamison, who is credited with turning around the San Jose franchise of which he remains a minority owner, emerged as a candidate to take ownership of the Coyotes last August.
He recently expressed a very strong commitment to making hockey work in Glendale.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
