Utah's Sporting Renaissance: Ryan Smith's Ambitious Venture
In an ambitious and transformative move, Ryan Smith has acquired the NHL's Arizona Coyotes and relocated them to Salt Lake City, rebranding the team as the Utah Hockey Club. The venture marks another significant step in Smith's growing influence in the Utah sports scene, already notable through his ownership of the NBA's Utah Jazz and stakes in other local sports teams.
The excitement was palpable on the opening night of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural season, drawing together a prominent roster of celebrities, including retired Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union. Wade, who is also a limited partner in both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture. "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life," Wade remarked, capturing the sense of novelty and enthusiasm surrounding the team's debut in Utah.
Ryan Smith: The Visionary Behind Utah's Sports Boom
Ryan Smith's influence extends far beyond bringing hockey to Utah. In 2020, alongside Dwyane Wade, Smith co-purchased the Utah Jazz for $1.66 billion. Smith also holds significant stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals. His vision for integrating sports into Utah's cultural and economic framework is set to further solidify the state's burgeoning reputation as a sports hub.
Gentry Anderson, a local sports commentator, highlighted Smith's rare hands-on approach: "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."
Investing in the Future
Smith’s influence doesn’t stop at team ownership. He played a crucial role in securing the 2034 Winter Olympics for Utah, demonstrating his foresight and commitment to the state's long-term growth. His involvement was pivotal in the successful bid delegation presented in Paris, aiming to fortify Utah’s global sporting profile.
Moreover, Smith serves as a guest lecturer at Brigham Young University (BYU), emphasizing his commitment to education and youth empowerment. Most recently, A.J. Dybantsa, a promising athlete, committed to BYU with a lucrative NIL deal, reportedly worth between $4 million to $7 million, though Smith maintains no financial involvement in this arrangement.
Ryan Smith’s diverse interests also include plans to rejuvenate Salt Lake City's downtown area, an effort indicating his desire to foster vibrant community hubs in tandem with sports endeavors.
A Legacy of Determination
Smith's business acumen is rooted in his co-founding of Qualtrics, sold to SAP for $8 billion, providing insight into his entrepreneurial mindset. His mantra, one of relentless pursuit, shone through in a recent quote: "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 ethos has been foundational in his journey from tech entrepreneur to sports mogul.
As Smith continues to mold Utah's sports landscape, his reach now extends across multiple domains, transcending conventional boundaries of ownership and investment. His appeal to use himself as a “laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts,” in discussion with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, showcases his readiness to innovate and experiment in the sports arena.
Smith’s ventures herald not only a reimagined sports culture in Utah but also a profound legacy in the making, one that intertwines ambition and community, and places Utah firmly on the global sports map.