In a bold move that reverberated across the sports world, Ryan Smith has continued to expand his influence beyond basketball and into the realm of hockey. Smith, widely recognized for his ownership of the NBA's Utah Jazz, recently acquired the NHL's Arizona Coyotes. Not content with merely owning the team, he uprooted them from the desert and transplanted them into the heart of Salt Lake City, renaming them the Utah Hockey Club. The transition represents a thrilling new chapter in Utah's sports narrative.
The inaugural night for the rebranded team was nothing short of spectacular. Celebrities flocked to the event, with the likes of retired Basketball Hall of Fame guard Dwyane Wade and his actor wife, Gabrielle Union, gracing the occasion with their presence. Wade, who is a limited partner of both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, once remarked with palpable enthusiasm, "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life." Indeed, Wade's involvement exemplifies the growing allure of Utah's evolving sports landscape under Smith's astute leadership.
Smith's ventures don't stop at basketball and hockey. His diversified sports portfolio extends to MLS and NWSL, with stakes in both Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals. Such investments underscore a defining ethos for Smith: a commitment to elevate Utah as a hub for professional sports. Even beyond ownership, Smith has been pivotal in projects like the successful bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah, showcasing his dedication to putting the state on the global sporting map.
Smith's partnership with Wade has become a cornerstone of his sports ownership endeavors. The duo's co-ownership of the Utah Jazz, procured in 2020 for a hefty $1.66 billion, marked the beginnings of their collaborative efforts. It's a partnership that reflects a shared vision for sports and community engagement, with Smith expressing his aspirations candidly: "No one's really given me anything in life. If you wanted something, you have to go get it. It just doesn't happen any other way."
Equally as ambitious, Smith's business acumen was demonstrated when he co-founded Qualtrics, a tech startup that saw an $8 billion acquisition by SAP. This business success translated seamlessly into his sporting ventures, each marked by innovation and a forward-thinking mindset. He's extended this approach to the realm of broadcasting, offering the unique proposition to NBA commissioner Adam Silver to "Use me as a laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts."
Smith's vision isn't limited to the arenas and stadiums of Utah. He has plans to rejuvenate Salt Lake City's downtown, integrating vibrant sports culture into the fabric of urban life. This is welcomed by figures like Gentry Anderson, who revels in the burgeoning sports scene. Anderson noted, "It's been surreal to be able to have three sports teams [four professional clubs] here now in Utah owned by someone who will come hang out with the fans."
It is not just the experienced veterans like Ryan Smith making waves in the Utah sports domain. Emerging talents like A.J. Dybantsa are also capturing attention. Dybantsa, who recently committed to Brigham Young University, is rumored to have secured an NIL deal valued between $4 million to $7 million. Although Smith is not financially involved in this deal, his presence as a guest lecturer at BYU exemplifies his influence and commitment to nurturing future generations.
As Ryan Smith continues to forge new paths and expand Utah's sporting horizons, he remains a dynamic force in shaping the cultural and economic landscape. With hockey firmly implanted alongside basketball and soccer, and future plans poised to further transform Salt Lake City, Smith's vision of a sporting utopia is steadily coming to fruition. The sports community, from passionate fans to high-profile partners, is undoubtedly along for what promises to be an exhilarating ride.