Salt Lake City is turning into a burgeoning hub for professional sports, thanks to the unwavering ambition and entrepreneurial acumen of Ryan Smith. The city's sports landscape has undergone a thrilling transformation, marked by the arrival of the newly rebranded Utah Hockey Club from the NHL. This development, happening alongside the significant involvement of NBA legend Dwyane Wade with the Utah Jazz, paints a vivid picture of a sports ecosystem that's humming with potential and enthusiasm.
A New Chapter in Utah Sports
When the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL transitioned to become the Utah Hockey Club, it was more than just a branding change; it was a signal flare announcing Salt Lake City’s growing prominence in the world of professional sports. Ryan Smith, already well-known as a major stakeholder and the brains behind the $1.66 billion acquisition of the Utah Jazz in 2020, orchestrated this relocation. This move not only broadens Utah's sports portfolio but also reaffirms Smith's dynamic vision for the city, which he is committed to transforming into a sports and cultural powerhouse.
Smith's enthusiasm to redefine Salt Lake City's skyline is not limited to just sports. He is neck-deep in the city's redevelopment plans, integrating sports, culture, and community development in a manner that seeks to uplift and rejuvenate the downtown area. However, such grand visions do not come without their critics. Smith's extensive plans have stirred public scrutiny and prompted debates on the gentrification and commercialization of urban spaces. Despite these challenges, Smith remains undeterred, driven by what he describes as a vision that requires everyone's buy-in, "I want everyone to be all-in on whatever we're doing. And if people don't speak, they can't be all-in," he remarks.
The Power of Collaboration
Smith’s journey in steering the Utah sports narrative leans heavily on collaboration and diverse partnerships. His venture isn’t solitary; Ashley Smith, who shares stakes across different sporting ventures, recalls, "We were thankful for the two of our brains combined and our different strengths." This dynamic duo has seen involvement in Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and the reintegration of the Utah Royals into the National Women’s Soccer League, propelling gender diversity and broadening the sports horizon in Utah.
One of Smith’s most intriguing partnerships is with NBA icon Dwyane Wade, who is now a limited partner in the Utah Jazz. Wade’s decision to partner with Smith underscores the allure of the Utah sports narrative and the robust framework being built. Echoing his initial skepticism blended with newfound excitement about hockey, a sport less familiar to him, Wade quipped, "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life."
Building Futures
Ryan Smith is not just focusing on professional transformations; his influence stretches into academia and the nurturing of future talents. Engaged with Brigham Young University, Smith co-teaches a business class, sharing experiences and insights that underscore his commitment to giving back. "I'm not a donor or involved with BYU because I went to school there. I'm there because I owe them a lot," he acknowledges, highlighting a personal connection that fuels his academic endeavors.
This investment in education seamlessly blends into the competitive landscape of collegiate sports. High school basketball prodigy A.J. Dybantsa’s choice of BYU, boosted by a significant NIL financial package, illustrates the growing intersection between education and athletics fostered under Smith’s watchful eye.
A Visionary's Dream
Smith's ambition reaches its apex with aspirations of bringing the Winter Olympics back to Utah in 2034, a monumental event that could showcase the state’s multifaceted success stories. His dream, however, straddles between personal and professional realms. On his aspirations, Smith has openly dreamed of ascending the ranks of the NBA’s elite as an owner, stating, "My dream is to become an NBA owner."
Gentry Anderson, a local sports enthusiast, encapsulates the simmering excitement in Salt Lake City, stating, "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." This interaction and sense of community ownership is propelling Salt Lake City onto the global sports stage, led by a figure who is as present in the stands as he is in the boardroom.
As Salt Lake City continues to evolve under Smith’s leadership, the city is not just hosting teams; it is building legacies, nurturing dreams, and casting long shadows of potential that stretch far beyond the state's boundaries. With a firm hand on the pulse of sports and community development, Ryan Smith is steering Utah’s sports scene into an exhilarating new era.