Judge OKs sale of Coyotes to NHL - League buys team for $140m

PHOENIX — A federal bankruptcy judge has given his approval to the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL.

Judge Redfield T. Baum agreed to sign the sale order today after lawyers made minor modifications to the deal.

None of the changes significantly altered the NHL’s agreement to pay about $140 million US to buy the team from owner Jerry Moyes.

The only party who didn’t join in the agreement is former coach Wayne Gretzky, who owned a small portion of the team. However, Gretzky did not file a formal objection with the court.

The sale ends nearly six months of an often-bitter court battle pitting the NHL against Moyes and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie.