Ryan Smith, the chairman of Smith Entertainment Group and owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and MLS’s Real Salt Lake, has expressed a strong desire to bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City. During an interview on the 32 Thoughts podcast with Elliotte Friedman, Smith made it clear that he is ready and willing to become a partner with the NHL in order to make this happen.
Smith met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for dinner in March of 2023, where he highlighted the success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken as examples of how to successfully expand into a new market. Smith stated that he believes that the market in Salt Lake City would be just as receptive and that his company is ready to help make it happen.
Smith’s sports empire includes a co-ownership of the Utah Jazz with his wife, Ashley, and a partnership in MLS franchise Real Salt Lake. He has a strong passion for sports and is committed to growing the game of hockey in Utah. Smith’s company began as a single-product survey company before evolving into a multi-product company, specializing in customer experience, employee insights, and market research.
Smith is driven by his passion for his family, faith, golf, and alma mater, Brigham Young University, as well as his beloved state of Utah. He cares deeply about his community and wants to see it thrive. Smith believes that his state offers a unique combination of a thriving economy and world-class winter sports. He hopes to add an NHL team to the mix, stating that “I can easily see a world where my kids have grown up and look back: ‘Holy cow, Utah. This should have happened years ago.’”
While Smith did not disclose the potential team name, he did emphasize that he is a “late bloomer” who values learning and listening to those around him. He collaborates with smart and fun people and tries to make every decision to the best of his ability.
Though the Utah Jazz struggled this season with a 37-45 record, the team’s sellout streak has continued with 251 consecutive games. Smith is confident that an NHL team in Salt Lake City would be successful with the state’s growing population, strong economy, and winter sports reputation. A new arena would be a part of Salt Lake City’s bid for the Winter Olympics in either 2030 or 2034, as the current hockey setup at Vivant Arena is limited to about 14,000 fans.
In related news, the NHL is reportedly hoping for an Ottawa sale announcement before Bettman’s annual Stanley Cup state-of-the-union address on Saturday. Banking sources anticipate that the purchase price could exceed $1 billion, but predicting the process is difficult. Additionally, rumors have surfaced suggesting that Toronto’s former assistant general manager, Kyle Dubas, has accepted the GM job with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dubas has vowed to keep the GM job into July and to prove that Toronto made a mistake in letting him go. He has discussed hiring a “progressive” GM, leading some to speculate that the first female GM in NHL history could be on the horizon.
Overall, Ryan Smith’s desire to bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City is indicative of the growing popularity of hockey in the western United States. With successful expansion teams in Vegas and Seattle, it seems that Salt Lake City could be the next logical market for a new NHL team. If Smith’s vision becomes a reality, it could be a major boost for the league and for hockey fans in Utah and beyond.
