In a move that has sent ripples through the sports world, Ryan Smith has made another bold stride by acquiring the NHL's Arizona Coyotes and relocating them to Salt Lake City, where they have been rebranded as the Utah Hockey Club. This significant acquisition marks an exciting chapter in Utah's burgeoning sports narrative.
The opening night of the Utah Hockey Club's season wasn't just about the game—it was an event. Celebrities like Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union were in attendance, providing that extra touch of glamour to the proceedings. Wade, a retired Basketball Hall of Fame guard, isn't just a spectator; he's actively invested in Utah's sports scene as a limited partner of both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club.
"I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life," Wade admitted, capturing his unexpected enthusiasm for the sport. His involvement underscores the growing allure and investment opportunities within Utah's sports landscape, largely orchestrated by Smith.
Smith, who co-owns the Utah Jazz with Wade, acquired the NBA team for a hefty $1.66 billion in 2020. His influence in sports doesn't stop there—Smith also holds stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals. It's this multi-faceted involvement that prompted Gentry Anderson to note the "surreal" presence of not one, but three sports teams now under Smith's ownership in Utah, adding, "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."
This breadth of influence extends beyond team ownership. Smith played a significant part in bringing the 2034 Winter Olympics to Utah, acting through a successful bid delegation in Paris. His commitment to Utah's growth is further demonstrated by his efforts to rejuvenate Salt Lake City's downtown area, indicating a vision for sustainability and community engagement that goes beyond sports.
Interestingly, Smith is not involved financially in A.J. Dybantsa's NIL deal, which is rumored to range between $4 million to $7 million. Despite this, his role as a guest lecturer at Brigham Young University connects him to the academic side of sports and business, fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Smith's journey from co-founding Qualtrics, a tech company he sold to SAP for $8 billion, to becoming a key sports mogul in Utah is a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen and relentless pursuit of success. Reflecting on his journey, Smith remarked, "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." This philosophy clearly resonates in his many ventures and investments across sports and other industries.
His pioneering spirit is also evident in his conversation with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, where he stated, "Use me as a laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts." Such statements not only reaffirm his commitment to innovation but also his willingness to experiment and lead the charge in how we experience sports in the digital era.
With the arrival of the Utah Hockey Club, Smith is not only expanding his sports portfolio but is also fostering a stronger sense of community and pride in Utah. His efforts are transforming Utah into a sports hub, making it a compelling destination for fans, athletes, and investors alike. As these ventures continue to develop, it will be interesting to see how Smith's multi-dimensional approach to sports ownership influences both the local and international sports landscape. The Utah sports story is being rewritten, and Ryan Smith is at the helm—poised, determined, and breaking new ground at every turn.