Salt Lake City Welcomes the New Era of Ice Hockey
In a bold and strategic move that is reshaping Utah's sports landscape, entrepreneur Ryan Smith has acquired the NHL's Arizona Coyotes, relocating them to Salt Lake City and rebranding them as the Utah Hockey Club. This significant acquisition marks another milestone in Smith's burgeoning influence within Utah’s sports scene, where he already boasts ownership in multiple professional teams.
The Arrival of the Utah Hockey Club
The excitement around this new hockey team is palpable, particularly after a star-studded opening night that featured celebrities such as Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union. Wade, a retired Basketball Hall of Fame guard and minority partner in both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, humorously admitted, "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life."
This shared enthusiasm marks a new partnership chapter between Ryan Smith and Wade, who have already worked together as co-owners of the Utah Jazz following Smith’s purchase of the team for $1.66 billion in 2020. Their collaboration demonstrates a vision for integrating basketball and hockey fandoms in a city not traditionally linked to either sport.
Forging a Sports Empire
Ryan Smith's involvement in Utah sports doesn’t end with basketball and hockey. He also holds stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals. The acquisition of the Utah Hockey Club is not just an isolated event but part of a broader vision to establish a strong multi-sport presence in Utah.
Beyond ownership, Smith's commitment to sports goes further. He played an instrumental role in successfully positioning Utah as the host city for the 2034 Winter Olympics, working diligently with a bid delegation team in Paris. His hope is that these initiatives will not only foster local sports but also invigorate Salt Lake City's downtown area.
Gentry Anderson, a local fan, reflected on this extraordinary turn of events, observing that, "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."
A Multifaceted Vision for the Future
Smith's influence extends into educational arenas as well. Though not financially tied to A.J. Dybantsa’s rumored $4 million to $7 million NIL deal with Brigham Young University, he contributes to the institution as a guest lecturer. His presence at the university exemplifies his dedication to nurturing the next generation, offering insights from his business ventures, notably co-founding the tech company Qualtrics and orchestrating its sale to SAP for $8 billion.
Moreover, Smith’s ambition is not limited to his accomplishments so far. He’s expressed a keen interest in revolutionizing sports broadcasting. In a conversation with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, he quipped, "Use me as a laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts."
Cementing a Legacy
Ryan Smith's energetic investment into Utah's sports scene is creating waves both locally and nationally. As his diversified portfolio of sports franchises expands, his commitment to the community remains evident. Whether through sports team ownership, educational initiatives, or urban development projects, Smith has set a course to reshape Utah’s cultural landscape.
Yet, Smith remains grounded in his approach. His philosophy, as he expressed, is straightforward: "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."
Through this combination of relentless ambition and community-focused strategies, Ryan Smith is crafting a unique legacy—one that mirrors Utah’s burgeoning reputation as a center for professional sports. With the arrival of the Utah Hockey Club, Salt Lake City stands poised to embrace its new identity as a vibrant, multi-sport hub.