salt lake city – Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake owner Ryan Smith has been candid about the potential for another professional sports franchise in Utah.
Having recently launched Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), Smith seems to be all about the sports business. Utah Shortly after purchasing his Jazz, he was part of a group that bought his MLS club in Utah, the Reals, Salt Lake.
“When we started SEG, we made the decision to get into the sport. If we get into it, we’ll get into it,” Smith told DJ and PK in an exclusive interview with KSL Sports Zone.
. @RyanQualtrics He believes the market can 100% support another professional team, but timing and availability are key.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 19, 2022
He spoke about his partnership with another Real Salt Lake owner, David Blitzer. Blitzer’s group also owns the Sixers, his Devils in New Jersey, and part of his Guardians in Cleveland.
“We just introduced Arctos and this is… what they do. They own pieces for about five or six teams in every league,” Smith said, peeking behind the curtain. Did.
Can Utah/Salt Lake City support another professional sports team? Ask Ryan Smith.
“One thing I am 100% sure about is that we can support this market, especially given the growth and where it is going,” he said in an interview.
Smith didn’t provide details on what sports could be coming to Utah. Will it be hockey? Maybe his NHL fan base in Utah seems strong. Every year, fans crowd his arena vividly for his preseason hockey game, Frozen Fury, held by the Los Angeles Kings. Just a few weeks ago in Salt Lake City, the Las Vegas Knights defeated the Kings in front of a huge jerseyed crowd of over 20 different NHL teams.
Or is it Major League Baseball? Utah people prove year after year that they love spending nights at the ballpark supporting MiLB’s Salt Lake Bees, a TripleA affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
“When I started SEG (Smith Entertainment Group), I knew I was going to focus on sports.
– @RyanQualtrics Possibility of other professional sports teams
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 19, 2022
“Which type of sport actually takes place depends on timing and availability. It’s a multi-year process,” Smith explained. “For example, if someone wants a new NBA team right now, no matter how great the market is… it won’t happen overnight. No one knows when that will actually come.”
Smith explained the league’s options of either relocating or expanding.
“We are opportunistic and ready,” Smith said, giving hope to Utah sports fans rooting for another professional team.
Smith’s goal of creating an ‘entertainment district’ around Jazz and the Real Salt Lake is already taking off with improvements to Vivint Arena, another specialized team adding to what Smiths Entertainment Group is trying to build. .
“This is something that could potentially provide something very powerful and something that I think the state needs and can definitely support,” said Smith. “It’s been really cool to be a part of it.”
The question is which professional leagues want to make their home in Utah.
Listen to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith’s full interview with DJ & PK below.
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