Salt Lake City has suddenly become a vibrant hub for professional sports, a development that is turning heads not just locally but also across the national sports landscape. At the forefront of this transformation is Ryan Smith, a visionary entrepreneur whose influence spans multiple sports franchises and impactful urban development projects in Utah.
A New Era of Hockey
One of the most recent highlights of Salt Lake City's sports evolution was the debut of the Utah Hockey Club, courtesy of Ryan Smith's acquisition of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes. In a bold move, Smith rebranded the team and relocated them to Salt Lake City, giving hockey enthusiasts in Utah a reason to cheer. As Dwyane Wade, a limited partner in Smith's Utah Jazz, enthusiastically shared, "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life." Wade's remarks underscore the excitement brewing in Salt Lake City regarding its burgeoning sports scene.
The Visionary Behind the Transformation
Ryan Smith is no stranger to bold ventures. Best known as the co-founder of Qualtrics, Smith made groundbreaking waves in sports when he purchased the Utah Jazz for $1.66 billion in 2020. His ambitions do not stop at the basketball court. Smith has significant stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake, the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals, and now the Utah Hockey Club. On top of this, he is spearheading downtown Salt Lake City's redevelopment plans, a project that aligns with his vision of a city thriving with sports and culture.
Beyond Business: Stakeholder and Educator
Despite his monumental business endeavors, Smith remains grounded and committed to his roots. "I'm not a donor or involved with BYU because I went to school there. I'm there because I owe them a lot," Smith reflects. His connection to Brigham Young University runs deep, as he is actively engaged with the institution and even co-teaches a business class there. This commitment isn’t just about giving back to the community but also about inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and sports enthusiasts.
Smith's influence extends to nurturing young talent. Recently, A.J. Dybantsa, a top high school basketball prospect, chose BYU, swayed by a substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. Such moves highlight the synergy Smith cultivates between education and athletics, positioning BYU as a breeding ground for future sports stars.
An Unprecedented Sports Landscape
With the introduction of the Utah Hockey Club, Salt Lake City is now home to four professional sports teams. This remarkable expansion is a testament to Smith's dream of turning Utah into a magnet for top-tier sports. As he succinctly puts it, "My dream is to become an NBA owner," Ryan Smith has already moved beyond such aspirations, now owning multiple franchises and fostering a sporting community that welcomes fans with open arms.
Yet, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Smith's downtown redevelopment plans have faced public scrutiny, testing his resilience and commitment to transforming the heart of Salt Lake City. Still, for fans like Gentry Anderson, the presence of someone like Smith, who engages with fans and understands their perspectives, offers a unique experience. "It's been surreal to have three sports teams [four professional clubs] here now in Utah owned by someone who will come hang out with the fans," Anderson observes.
Smith’s holistic approach, combining sports ownership, community interaction, and educational initiatives, paints a promising picture for Salt Lake City’s future. As the city gears up to potentially host the 2034 Winter Olympics, an endeavor that Smith is instrumental in bringing to Utah, the stakes are high, and the excitement palpable.
The transformation of Salt Lake City into a sporting powerhouse is a story of ambition, passion, and community involvement—qualities that Ryan Smith embodies as he continues to redefine the limits of what’s possible in the realm of sports and beyond.