In a bold move that has shaken the ice of the National Hockey League, entrepreneur Ryan Smith recently acquired the Arizona Coyotes, marking a significant shift in the sports landscape. Under Smith's leadership, the team has not only been relocated to Salt Lake City but also rebranded as the Utah Hockey Club. This transition is part of Smith's broader vision to elevate Utah's profile as a sports hub.
The unveiling of the Utah Hockey Club was nothing short of a spectacle, with the opening night drawing an audience that included notable celebrities. Among them were Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the event. Wade, a retired Basketball Hall of Fame guard, is more than just an attendee; he’s a limited partner of the Utah Hockey Club, further sealing his commitment to the sporting landscape of the region. "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life," Wade remarked, highlighting the transformative nature of the team’s relocation and rebranding.
Smith's influence in Utah goes beyond hockey. As a visionary co-owner of the Utah Jazz, partnering with Wade in the process, he acquired the NBA team for a staggering $1.66 billion in 2020. His sports empire doesn’t stop there, with stakes in MLS' Real Salt Lake and NWSL's Utah Royals, making him a pivotal figure in the state’s sports circles. This strategic assemblage of teams is reshaping Utah into a vibrant center for both professional and community sports engagement.
The bustling sports ecosystem is only a part of Smith's contribution to Utah. He has played an instrumental role in securing a bid for the 2034 Winter Olympics, a testament to his dedication to the state's development. This commitment extends to his attention on rejuvenating downtown Salt Lake City, ensuring its infrastructure and vibrancy match its burgeoning sports scene.
On the collegiate front, A.J. Dybantsa has committed to Brigham Young University, with his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal rumored to reach between $4 million to $7 million. However, Ryan Smith, despite his extensive ties to BYU as a guest lecturer, is not financially involved in Dybantsa’s deal. Nonetheless, his presence and influence are apparent, demonstrating a deep connection between academia, athletics, and business.
Smith's impact is wide-ranging, fueled by a philosophy of self-reliance and initiative. "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," he shared, encapsulating the ethos that has driven his success from co-founding Qualtrics, a tech powerhouse sold to SAP for $8 billion, to assembling a formidable sports portfolio in Utah.
The sporting community in Utah has embraced these changes, with local figures like Gentry Anderson openly appreciating Smith’s efforts. "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," Anderson remarked, capturing the grassroots-level engagement that Smith fosters.
Smith's innovative spirit extends into the realm of broadcasting, as evidenced by his collaboration with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. "Use me as a laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts," Smith proposed, exemplifying his readiness to explore new avenues that could possibly redefine how sports are consumed by fans in the digital age.
With a foot firmly planted in both the sporting and tech worlds, Ryan Smith's endeavors are crafting a new narrative for Utah. This flourishing sports haven under his guidance is poised not only to entertain but to transform, offering the state a prominent place on the national, and perhaps even global, sports stage.