The Tribune, a newspaper serving suburban Phoenix, reported Saturday that Steve Ellman is acting as broker in lining up investors to buy the NHL team but also could be part of the new ownership.

The report came the same week that Scottsdale officials expressed concern they had yet to receive permit and other applications for a $535 million redevelopment project that is to include a new home for the Coyotes.

Coyotes owner Richard Burke told the Tribune he's willing to sell because he and the developer, the Ellman Cos., have been unable to agree on finances and an arena construction timetable.

"The project, from our standpoint, had to get in the ground in January," Burke said. "We don't have an agreement on when we start, how we do it and how we are going to make both parts of the project viable."

Delay is a major problem because, given 18 to 20 months for construction, the Coyotes could wind up homeless in October 2001. The team's contract with America West Arena in Phoenix expires that summer.

"I've told the Ellman Cos. if they have someone that can bridge our differences, I would step aside in the interest of the project moving forward," Burke said Friday. "The Coyotes will be here regardless. There is some sense of urgency."

Scottsdale elects a new mayor and several new City Council members in March, another factor that could affect the timetable or even the project's future if there's no prior redevelopment agreement signed.

Ellman, who met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman this week to discuss preliminary details, declined comment Friday when reached in New York, the newspaper said.

Forbes magazine listed the value of the Coyotes' franchise at $89 million last year. Burke paid $65 million in 1995, when the team was the Winnipeg Jets, and moved the franchise to metro Phoenix for the 1996-97 season.

Any sale would have to be approved by the NHL Board of Governors, which could convene sometime around the Feb. 6 All-Star Game in Toronto, the newspaper noted.

"If (the sale) happens, I will be perfectly happy," Burke said. "I want the team to be here and be competitive. If I'm sitting in the stands as a fan when we win the Stanley Cup, that would be fine."

Ellman, 48, founded Ellman Capital Corp., a commercial development and investment firm, in 1987. His 25-member team specializes in malls.

Ellman owns 100 percent of the capital stock of the parent company, whose affiliates have coordinated land deals in Toronto; Washington, D.C.; and the Bahamas.

Scottsdale redevelopment director Gary Roe said the purchase of the team could simplify the redevelopment project for the city.

"I know (Ellman) is in New York, and I know he's trying to finalize a business agreement regarding the Coyotes," Roe told the Tribune. "I know they have explored several options. They have talked about bringing in some additional capital.

"They're trying to create as strong a financial position as possible moving into this new arena. They've been talking to lenders. We're anxious to get going with this redevelopment agreement."

The Coyotes have said they are losing $10 million a year because of the limited sightlines for many seats at America West Arena and lack of advertising revenue.

In March, Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza offered a $12 million plan to fix and replace 3,300 seats there. Burke rejected it, saying he was committed to a new arena in Scottsdale, where the team is headquartered and has its training facility.