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SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz and Actual Salt Lake proprietor Ryan Smith spoke candidly concerning the potential of one other professional sports activities franchise in Utah.
As of late, it seems Smith, who began Smith Leisure Group (SEG), is all in on the sports activities enterprise. Shortly after buying the Utah Jazz, he was a part of a bunch that bought Utah’s MLS club, Real Salt Lake.
“After we began SEG we made the choice that we have been going into sports activities and if we’re getting into, we’re getting into,” Smith advised DJ and PK throughout an unique interview on KSL Sports activities Zone.
. @RyanQualtrics stated he believes this market might 100% assist one other professional workforce however timing and availability matter.
— KSL Sports activities (@kslsports) October 19, 2022
He talked concerning the partnership with David Blitzer, who’s the opposite half proprietor of Actual Salt Lake. Blitzer’s group additionally owns a part of the Sixers, New Jersey Devils and Cleveland Guardians.
“We simply introduced in Arctos and that is … what they do. They personal items of about 5 – 6 groups in each league,” Smith gave a peek backstage, “They’re in each dialog in sports activities.”
Can Utah/Salt Lake Metropolis Help One other Professional Sports activities Group? Ask Ryan Smith.
“The one factor I’m 100% satisfied of is that we are able to assist it on this market, particularly for those who take a look at the expansion and the place it’s going,” he stated through the interview.
Smith didn’t present specifics on what sport might come to Utah. Might or not it’s hockey? Perhaps, the NHL fanbase in Utah appears robust. 12 months after yr followers pack Vivint Arena for the Frozen Fury, a preseason hockey sport placed on by the Los Angeles Kings. Only a few weeks in the past the Las Vegas Knights beat the Kings in Salt Lake Metropolis in entrance of a giant crowd, the place jerseys from greater than 20 totally different NHL groups have been noticed.
Or, might or not it’s Main League Baseball? Utahns show yr after yr that they love evenings on the ballpark in assist of MiLB’s Salt Lake Bees, the TripleA affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
“After we began SEG (Smith Leisure Group) we knew we have been going to concentrate on sports activities … we stated if we’re getting into, we’re getting into.”
– @RyanQualtrics on the potential of one other professional sports activities workforce
— KSL Sports activities (@kslsports) October 19, 2022
“What sort of sport is absolutely going to rely on timing and availability. It is a multi-year course of,” Smith defined. “For instance, if somebody needed a brand new NBA workforce proper now, irrespective of how nice the market is … it’s not in a single day. Nobody is aware of when that’s really coming.”
Smith defined the choices for leagues, that are both relocation or growth. He confirmed that conversations have been had about the way forward for one other professional sports activities workforce in Utah.
“We’re opportunistic and we’re tremendous prepared,” Smith gave hope to sports activities followers in Utah who’re rooting for one more skilled workforce.
Smith’s objective of making an “leisure district” across the Jazz and Actual Salt Lake is already starting to take off with enhancements to Vivint Enviornment, one other skilled workforce would add to what Smith Leisure Group is attempting to construct.
“This might present one thing tremendous highly effective and one thing I believe the state wants and positively might assist,” Smith stated. “It might be actually cool to be part of that.”
Now the query is, what professional league do you wish to see make a house in Utah?
Take heed to full interview with Utah Jazz proprietor Ryan Smith on DJ & PK under.
