In an audacious move that has sent ripples across the sports world, entrepreneur Ryan Smith has once again turned his gaze towards enhancing Utah's sporting landscape. The tech magnate and sports aficionado recently acquired the NHL's Arizona Coyotes, relocating and rebranding them as the Utah Hockey Club. This monumental addition cements Smith's growing influence in the state, as he continues to weave a tapestry of professional sports through Utah's cultural fabric.
REBRANDED FOR SUCCESS
The inaugural game of the Utah Hockey Club was nothing short of a spectacle. With celebrities like Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union gracing the occasion, the event attracted attention far beyond the traditional hockey circles. Wade, a Basketball Hall of Fame guard and a limited partner in both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, expressed his newfound enthusiasm for hockey. "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life," Wade quipped, underlining the unique allure and anticipation surrounding the team's debut.
Smith's involvement in Utah's sports scene is anything but superficial. He co-owns the NBA's Utah Jazz with Wade, a franchise he acquired in 2020 for a staggering $1.66 billion. Moreover, his investment portfolio extends beyond the confines of indoor arenas. Smith holds stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals, a testament to his commitment to promoting diverse sports in the region.
AN OLYMPIC VISIONARY
Beyond sports ownership, Ryan Smith has played an instrumental role in bringing the Winter Olympics back to Utah. His influence was pivotal in the successful bid delegation in Paris that secured the 2034 Winter Olympics for Utah. This feat underscores Smith's broader ambition to position Utah as an international sports destination while rejuvenating Salt Lake City's downtown area to accommodate this influx of global attention.
EDUCATIONAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ROOTS
Smith's reach extends into the academic realm, where he serves as a guest lecturer at Brigham Young University. This connection was further showcased through the commitment of A.J. Dybantsa to BYU, whose rumored NIL deal ranges from $4 million to $7 million. While Smith is not financially involved in Dybantsa’s deal, his influence pervades the university's appeal to top-tier talent.
Outside the classroom, Smith's entrepreneurial journey began with Qualtrics, a tech company he co-founded and later sold to SAP for an impressive $8 billion. His assertive attitude is captured in his own words, "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."
SPEARHEADING MEDIA INNOVATION
Smith is also taking strides in reshaping sports media through innovative broadcasting endeavors with the NBA. In a conversation with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, he remarked, "Use me as a laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts." This candid statement highlights Smith’s ambition to be at the forefront of evolving how sports are consumed.
UTAH'S MULTI-SPORT LEGACY
Gentry Anderson, an observer of Utah's burgeoning sports scene, summed up the local enthusiasm: "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." Indeed, Smith’s hands-on approach and dedication to community engagement are fostering a unique sports culture in Utah, drawing both locals and celebrities alike to its evolving scene.
Ryan Smith's ventures across multiple sports are more than business transactions; they’re part of a broader vision to elevate Utah’s place on the sporting map. With the eyes of the hockey world now trained on the newly minted Utah Hockey Club, one can only anticipate how Smith’s continued multifaceted involvement will shape Utah’s sports destiny and live up to the expectations of fans and players alike.