Salt Lake City continues to bolster its reputation as a burgeoning hub of professional sports, propelled by the ambitious vision of local magnate Ryan Smith. In October, hockey fans witnessed a seismic shift as the NHL's Arizona Coyotes found a new home in Utah, rebranded the Utah Hockey Club. This move signifies a determined push to expand Salt Lake City's professional sports footprint, which now boasts four major clubs representing a diverse array of athletic disciplines.
Smith's multi-faceted involvement in Salt Lake City's sports scene cannot be overstated. Having purchased the Utah Jazz for $1.66 billion in 2020, Smith quickly entrenched himself as a major player in the NBA. His influence doesn't stop at basketball; Smith, along with his wife Ashley, holds stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals. It's a portfolio that any sports enthusiast would envy, yet Smith appears to be just getting started.
A Vision for Utah
Beyond merely assembling a sports empire, Smith is evidently committed to revitalizing Salt Lake City. His downtown redevelopment plans are not just about urban renewal but serve as a platform for fostering community through sports and entertainment. However, the road hasn't been entirely smooth; these plans have faced public scrutiny, yet Smith remains undeterred in his vision for the city.
"My dream is to become an NBA owner," Smith once remarked, showcasing his lifelong enthusiasm for the game. Yet, his ambitions clearly extend beyond just basketball. He has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the 2034 Winter Olympics bid, further positioning Utah as a global sporting destination.
A United Sports Community
His hands-on approach has earned him the respect of fans and fellow stakeholders. Dwyane Wade, a limited partner of the Utah Jazz, recounts his surprise at being swept up in Smith's passion for hockey: "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life." Wade's words echo a broader sentiment of enthusiasm and camaraderie within Utah's sports community.
"It's been surreal to have three sports teams, [four professional clubs] now in Utah owned by someone who will come hang out with the fans," said Gentry Anderson, capturing the unique relationship Smith cultivates with local supporters. This connection isn't just talk; Smith's active participation enhances the vibrancy of Utah's sports culture.
Investing in the Future
Smith's involvement extends beyond the professional leagues into the spirits and aspirations of young athletes in Utah. A.J. Dybantsa, a top high school basketball prospect, exemplifies this with his choice of BYU - guided, in part, by a significant NIL financial package that Smith had a hand in facilitating. This move signifies Smith's commitment to nurturing talent from the ground up.
Smith's relationship with BYU is deep-rooted, marked by an enduring sense of gratitude. "I'm not a donor or involved with BYU because I went to school there. I'm there because I owe them a lot," he has stated, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of this engagement. As a co-teacher of a business class at the university, Smith invests directly in the next generation of entrepreneurs and sports leaders.
A Collaborative Effort
The partnership between Ryan and Ashley Smith highlights the synergy driving their ventures. "We were thankful for the two of our brains combined and our different strengths," Ashley commented, hinting at the duo's complementary dynamic. This partnership is integral to executing their extensive plans for Utah's sporting landscape.
Smith’s commitment to the state extends beyond economics and into the cultural and social fabrics of Utah. His ventures encapsulate more than business; they stand as pillars contributing to Utah's growing allure in the sporting orbit. In a place where sports is intertwined with community identity, Smith’s savvy investments and enthusiastic engagement offer a compelling blueprint for cities aiming to harness the unifying power of sports.
With Salt Lake City now comfortably hosting four professional sports clubs, residents and fans alike can eagerly anticipate a future where sports not only entertain but empower a vibrant community to dream bigger.