Ryan Smith (businessman): Difference between revisions

Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith
	Smith in 2023
Born	June 28, 1978 (age 46); Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Alma mater	Brigham Young University (BS)
Title	Executive chairman, Qualtrics
Spouse	Ashley Smith
Children	5

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S. Ryan Smith (born June 28, 1978) is an American billionaire businessman and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of Qualtrics, an experience management company based in Provo, Utah.^[1]^[2]^[3] Smith is also owner of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL) in Salt Lake City, and co-owner of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS) with sports investor David Blitzer.

Early life and education

Smith was born on June 28, 1978, in Eugene, Oregon.^[2]^[4] His father, Scott Smith, worked as a university professor and his mother, Nancy Smith Hill, holds a PhD in information systems.^[5]^[6] While he was attending Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Business, he founded Qualtrics with his father, and his brother, Jared. During his junior year he dropped out of school to spend more time working on Qualtrics, though he returned to school and finished his degree in 2016.^[2]

Sports team ownership

Utah Jazz

On October 28, 2020, Smith bought a majority stake in the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from Gail Miller. The sale also included Delta Center, the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, and management of the Salt Lake Bees.^[7]^[8]^[9] The sale was unanimously approved by the NBA on December 18, 2020.^[10]

Real Salt Lake

In January 2022, Smith and investor David Blitzer purchased Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS) and America First Field, which included affiliate Real Monarchs and Zions Bank Stadium, from Dell Loy Hansen.^[11]^[12] The pair also reestablished the Utah Royals of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2023, with the original team becoming the Kansas City Current in 2020.^[13]

Utah Hockey Club

As early as 2022, Smith and his Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) discussed moving a National Hockey League (NHL) team to Salt Lake City, either via expansion or relocation.^[14]^[15] In January 2024, SEG issued a formal request for the NHL to open an expansion process, stating they were "ready to welcome the NHL" to Salt Lake City.^[16] SEG officials also said that the team could play immediately at the Delta Center, and perhaps later in a new to-be-constructed arena in the Salt Lake City area.^[17]

On April 18, 2024, Smith purchased the Arizona Coyotes assets (personnel, draft picks, roster) from Alex Meruelo for $1.2 billion. Meruelo retained the Coyotes brand, allowing Smith to establish a new franchise in Salt Lake City.^[15]

Personal life

Smith lives in Provo, Utah, and is married with five children.^[6] He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent two years in Mexico as a missionary.^[6]^[18] In 2016, he was included in Fortune's "40 Under 40."^[19] As of September 2021, Forbes estimated Smith's net worth at $1.6 billion.^[20]

References

^ Levy, Ari (January 28, 2021). "Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith made $153 million in Qualtrics IPO a day after his NBA team snagged first place". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Semerad, Tony; Larsen, Andy (October 28, 2020). "What you need to know about Ryan Smith, the new owner of the Utah Jazz". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
^ Konrad, Alex (October 19, 2018). "Utah Cloud Unicorn Qualtrics Files To Raise Up To $200M In IPO". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
^ Schoenfeld, Bruce (June 7, 2021). "Ryan Smith: Utah's Jazzmaster". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
^ Raymond, Art (February 2, 2018). "Qualtrics co-founder Ryan Smith honored as Entrepreneur of the Year". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c Lev-Ram, Michal. "A Unicorn Founder's Big Life Hack". Fortune. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
^ "Gail Miller and Family Announce Agreement to Sell a Majority Interest in the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics Founder Ryan Smith". UtahJazz.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. October 28, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (October 28, 2020). "Sources: Jazz being sold in $1.66B agreement". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
^ Stein, Marc (October 28, 2020). "Utah Jazz to Sell Majority Stake to Tech Entrepreneur". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
^ "NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur". AP NEWS. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
^ "David Blitzer & Smith Entertainment Group to Purchase Real Salt Lake". rsl.com. January 5, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
^ McDonald, Ryan (January 6, 2022). "How the deal for Ryan Smith, David Blitzer to buy Real Salt Lake came together". Deseret News. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
^ Gonzalez, Roger (March 12, 2023). "Utah Royals FC to return to NWSL under David Blitzer and Ryan Smith as owners; club will begin playing in 2024". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
^ Fox, Derick (January 24, 2024). "Utah sports mogul Ryan Smith submits bid to bring NHL to Salt Lake City". ABC4. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Kaplan, Emily (April 18, 2024). "NHL approves Coyotes sale, relocation to Salt Lake City". ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
^ The Canadian Press (January 24, 2024). "Jazz's parent company initiates NHL expansion process". TSN.
^ Rosen, Dan (January 24, 2024). "Salt Lake City group formally requests NHL to initiate expansion process". NHL.com.
^ Watson, Carlos (November 29, 2014). "Mormon Mad Men: Hold the Whiskey + Cigarettes". OZY. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
^ "Ryan Smith". Fortune. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
^ "Ryan Smith Profile". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.

[1] Levy, Ari (January 28, 2021). "Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith made $153 million in Qualtrics IPO a day after his NBA team snagged first place". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.

[sltrib_utah_jazz-2] Semerad, Tony; Larsen, Andy (October 28, 2020). "What you need to know about Ryan Smith, the new owner of the Utah Jazz". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.

[Forbes_2018-3] Konrad, Alex (October 19, 2018). "Utah Cloud Unicorn Qualtrics Files To Raise Up To $200M In IPO". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2020.

[4] Schoenfeld, Bruce (June 7, 2021). "Ryan Smith: Utah's Jazzmaster". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2023.

[DesNews_2018-5] Raymond, Art (February 2, 2018). "Qualtrics co-founder Ryan Smith honored as Entrepreneur of the Year". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.

[Fortune_2016_profile-6] Lev-Ram, Michal. "A Unicorn Founder's Big Life Hack". Fortune. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.

[SmithJazzNBA-7] "Gail Miller and Family Announce Agreement to Sell a Majority Interest in the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics Founder Ryan Smith". UtahJazz.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. October 28, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.

[ESPN_Woj-8] Wojnarowski, Adrian (October 28, 2020). "Sources: Jazz being sold in $1.66B agreement". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.

[NYT_2020-9] Stein, Marc (October 28, 2020). "Utah Jazz to Sell Majority Stake to Tech Entrepreneur". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.

[NBAapproval-10] "NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur". AP NEWS. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.

[11] "David Blitzer & Smith Entertainment Group to Purchase Real Salt Lake". rsl.com. January 5, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[12] McDonald, Ryan (January 6, 2022). "How the deal for Ryan Smith, David Blitzer to buy Real Salt Lake came together". Deseret News. Retrieved March 2, 2022.

[13] Gonzalez, Roger (March 12, 2023). "Utah Royals FC to return to NWSL under David Blitzer and Ryan Smith as owners; club will begin playing in 2024". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2023.

[14] Fox, Derick (January 24, 2024). "Utah sports mogul Ryan Smith submits bid to bring NHL to Salt Lake City". ABC4. Retrieved January 27, 2024.

[espn2024-15] Kaplan, Emily (April 18, 2024). "NHL approves Coyotes sale, relocation to Salt Lake City". ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2024.

[16] The Canadian Press (January 24, 2024). "Jazz's parent company initiates NHL expansion process". TSN.

[17] Rosen, Dan (January 24, 2024). "Salt Lake City group formally requests NHL to initiate expansion process". NHL.com.

[Mission-18] Watson, Carlos (November 29, 2014). "Mormon Mad Men: Hold the Whiskey + Cigarettes". OZY. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.

[fortune_40-19] "Ryan Smith". Fortune. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2020.

[Forbes-20] "Ryan Smith Profile". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Use American English|date=October 2020}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
 {{Infobox person
 | name = Ryan Smith
-| image =
+| image = Ryan Smith 2024 01.png
+| image_size = 175px
-| caption =
+| caption = Smith in 2023
-| birth_name = S. Ryan Smith<ref name="BYUmag">{{cite news |last1=Feinauer |first1=Courtney M. |title='Trics of the Trade |url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/trics-of-the-trade/ |access-date=October 31, 2020 |work=[[BYU Magazine]] |issue=Winter 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108171737/https://magazine.byu.edu/article/trics-of-the-trade/ |archive-date=January 8, 2016}}</ref>
 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|6|28}}
 | birth_place = [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], [[Oregon]], U.S.
-| alma_mater = [[Brigham Young University]]
+| alma_mater = [[Brigham Young University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
 | title = Executive chairman, [[Qualtrics]]
 | spouse = Ashley Smith
 | children = 5
 }}
-'''S. Ryan Smith''' (born June 28, 1978) is an American [[billionaire]] businessman. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of [[Qualtrics]], an [[experience management]] company based in [[Provo, Utah]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Levy |first1=Ari |title=Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith made $153 million in Qualtrics IPO a day after his NBA team snagged first place |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/utah-jazz-owner-ryan-smith-leads-qualtrics-ipo-as-team-moves-to-first.html |website=CNBC |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128225114if_/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/utah-jazz-owner-ryan-smith-leads-qualtrics-ipo-as-team-moves-to-first.html |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |language=en |date=January 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sltrib utah jazz">{{cite news |last1=Semerad |first1=Tony |last2=Larsen |first2=Andy |title=What you need to know about Ryan Smith, the new owner of the Utah Jazz |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/28/what-you-need-know-about/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028200906/https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/28/what-you-need-know-about/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forbes 2018">{{cite web |last1=Konrad |first1=Alex |title=Utah Cloud Unicorn Qualtrics Files To Raise Up To $200M In IPO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2018/10/19/utah-cloud-unicorn-qualtrics-files-to-raise-up-to-200m-in-ipo/ |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611055815/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2018/10/19/utah-cloud-unicorn-qualtrics-files-to-raise-up-to-200m-in-ipo/ |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |language=en |date=October 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Smith is also owner of the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), a [[Utah NHL team|yet-to-be-named team]] in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) in Salt Lake City, and co-owner of [[Real Salt Lake]] of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) with sports investor [[David Blitzer]].
+'''S. Ryan Smith''' (born June 28, 1978) is an American [[billionaire]] businessman and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group. He is the executive chairman and co-founder of [[Qualtrics]], an [[experience management]] company based in [[Provo, Utah]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Levy |first1=Ari |title=Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith made $153 million in Qualtrics IPO a day after his NBA team snagged first place |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/utah-jazz-owner-ryan-smith-leads-qualtrics-ipo-as-team-moves-to-first.html |website=CNBC |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128225114if_/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/utah-jazz-owner-ryan-smith-leads-qualtrics-ipo-as-team-moves-to-first.html |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |language=en |date=January 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sltrib utah jazz">{{cite news |last1=Semerad |first1=Tony |last2=Larsen |first2=Andy |title=What you need to know about Ryan Smith, the new owner of the Utah Jazz |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/28/what-you-need-know-about/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028200906/https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/28/what-you-need-know-about/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forbes 2018">{{cite web |last1=Konrad |first1=Alex |title=Utah Cloud Unicorn Qualtrics Files To Raise Up To $200M In IPO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2018/10/19/utah-cloud-unicorn-qualtrics-files-to-raise-up-to-200m-in-ipo/ |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611055815/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2018/10/19/utah-cloud-unicorn-qualtrics-files-to-raise-up-to-200m-in-ipo/ |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |language=en |date=October 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Smith is also owner of the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), the [[Utah Hockey Club]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) in Salt Lake City, and co-owner of [[Real Salt Lake]] of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) with sports investor [[David Blitzer]].
 ==Early life and education==
@@ Line 23: / Line 22: @@
 ===Utah Jazz===
-On October 28, 2020, Smith bought a majority stake in the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) from [[Gail Miller (businesswoman)|Gail Miller]]. The sale also included [[Vivint Arena]], the [[Salt Lake City Stars]] of the [[NBA G League]], and management of the [[Salt Lake Bees]].<ref name="SmithJazzNBA">{{cite press release|title=Gail Miller and Family Announce Agreement to Sell a Majority Interest in the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics Founder Ryan Smith|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/gail-miller-and-family-announce-agreement-sell-majority-interest-utah-jazz-qualtrics-founder-0|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=UtahJazz.com|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ESPN Woj">{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Sources: Jazz being sold in $1.66B agreement |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30210088/utah-jazz-sold-ryan-smith-ending-millers-three-decade-run-majority-owners |website=[[ESPN|ESPN.com]] |access-date=October 30, 2020 |author-link1=Adrian Wojnarowski |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028215704/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30210088/utah-jazz-sold-ryan-smith-ending-millers-three-decade-run-majority-owners |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |language=en |date=October 28, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT 2020">{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Marc |author-link1=Marc Stein (reporter) |title=Utah Jazz to Sell Majority Stake to Tech Entrepreneur |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/sports/basketball/ryan-smith-jazz.html |access-date=October 31, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029014347/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/sports/basketball/ryan-smith-jazz.html |archive-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> The sale was unanimously approved by the NBA on December 18, 2020.<ref name="NBAapproval">{{cite web |title=NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur |url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-nba-baseball-adam-silver-68c2622d9b3b02669e75da9bb39fec94 |website=AP NEWS |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128223039if_/https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-nba-baseball-adam-silver-68c2622d9b3b02669e75da9bb39fec94 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |date=December 18, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
+On October 28, 2020, Smith bought a majority stake in the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) from [[Gail Miller (businesswoman)|Gail Miller]]. The sale also included [[Delta Center]], the [[Salt Lake City Stars]] of the [[NBA G League]], and management of the [[Salt Lake Bees]].<ref name="SmithJazzNBA">{{cite press release|title=Gail Miller and Family Announce Agreement to Sell a Majority Interest in the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics Founder Ryan Smith|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/gail-miller-and-family-announce-agreement-sell-majority-interest-utah-jazz-qualtrics-founder-0|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=UtahJazz.com|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ESPN Woj">{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Sources: Jazz being sold in $1.66B agreement |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30210088/utah-jazz-sold-ryan-smith-ending-millers-three-decade-run-majority-owners |website=[[ESPN|ESPN.com]] |access-date=October 30, 2020 |author-link1=Adrian Wojnarowski |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028215704/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30210088/utah-jazz-sold-ryan-smith-ending-millers-three-decade-run-majority-owners |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |language=en |date=October 28, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT 2020">{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Marc |author-link1=Marc Stein (reporter) |title=Utah Jazz to Sell Majority Stake to Tech Entrepreneur |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/sports/basketball/ryan-smith-jazz.html |access-date=October 31, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029014347/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/sports/basketball/ryan-smith-jazz.html |archive-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> The sale was unanimously approved by the NBA on December 18, 2020.<ref name="NBAapproval">{{cite web |title=NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur |url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-nba-baseball-adam-silver-68c2622d9b3b02669e75da9bb39fec94 |website=AP NEWS |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128223039if_/https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-nba-baseball-adam-silver-68c2622d9b3b02669e75da9bb39fec94 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |date=December 18, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 ===Real Salt Lake===
 In January 2022, Smith and investor [[David Blitzer]] purchased [[Real Salt Lake]] of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) and [[America First Field]], which included affiliate [[Real Monarchs]] and [[Zions Bank Stadium]], from [[Dell Loy Hansen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsl.com/news/david-blitzer-smith-entertainment-group-to-purchase-real-salt-lake |title=David Blitzer & Smith Entertainment Group to Purchase Real Salt Lake |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=January 5, 2022 |website=rsl.com |access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McDonald |first=Ryan |date=January 6, 2022 |title=How the deal for Ryan Smith, David Blitzer to buy Real Salt Lake came together |url=https://www.deseret.com/2022/1/6/22870914/how-deal-for-ryan-smith-david-blitzer-to-buy-real-salt-lake-came-together-dwyane-wade-mls-rsl |work=Deseret News |accessdate=March 2, 2022}}</ref> The pair also reestablished the [[Utah Royals]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]] (NWSL) in 2023, with the original team becoming the [[Kansas City Current]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Roger |title=Utah Royals FC to return to NWSL under David Blitzer and Ryan Smith as owners; club will begin playing in 2024 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/utah-royals-fc-to-return-to-nwsl-under-david-blitzer-and-ryan-smith-as-owners-club-will-begin-playing-in-2024/ |website=CBS Sports |date=March 12, 2023 |access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref>
-===National Hockey League franchise===
+===Utah Hockey Club===
-As early as 2022, Smith and his Smith Entertainment Group have been heavily involved in discussions to land a [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) team in Salt Lake City, either via expansion or relocation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Derick |title=Utah sports mogul Ryan Smith submits bid to bring NHL to Salt Lake City |url=https://www.abc4.com/sports/utah-ryan-smith-submits-bid-to-bring-nhl-to-salt-lake-city/ |website=ABC4 |date=January 24, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name="espn2024"/> In January 2024, the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) issued a formal request for the NHL to open an expansion process, stating they were "ready to welcome the NHL" to Salt Lake City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/utah-jazz-parent-company-initiates-nhl-expansion-process-1.2066996|title=Jazz's parent company initiates NHL expansion process|work=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|author=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=January 24, 2024}}</ref> SEG also stated that the team could play immediately at the [[Delta Center]], with the possibility of playing in a new to-be-constructed arena in the Salt Lake City area at a later date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/salt-lake-city-utah-group-formally-requests-nhl-to-initiate-expansion-team-process|title=Salt Lake City group formally requests NHL to initiate expansion process|work=[[National Hockey League|NHL.com]]|first=Dan|last=Rosen|date=January 24, 2024}}</ref>
+As early as 2022, Smith and his Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) discussed moving a [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) team to Salt Lake City, either via expansion or relocation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Derick |title=Utah sports mogul Ryan Smith submits bid to bring NHL to Salt Lake City |url=https://www.abc4.com/sports/utah-ryan-smith-submits-bid-to-bring-nhl-to-salt-lake-city/ |website=ABC4 |date=January 24, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name="espn2024"/> In January 2024, SEG issued a formal request for the NHL to open an expansion process, stating they were "ready to welcome the NHL" to Salt Lake City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/utah-jazz-parent-company-initiates-nhl-expansion-process-1.2066996|title=Jazz's parent company initiates NHL expansion process|work=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|author=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=January 24, 2024}}</ref> SEG officials also said that the team could play immediately at the [[Delta Center]], and perhaps later in a new to-be-constructed arena in the Salt Lake City area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/salt-lake-city-utah-group-formally-requests-nhl-to-initiate-expansion-team-process|title=Salt Lake City group formally requests NHL to initiate expansion process|work=[[National Hockey League|NHL.com]]|first=Dan|last=Rosen|date=January 24, 2024}}</ref>
-In April 2024, multiple sources reported that Smith and [[Arizona Coyotes]] owner [[Alex Meruelo]] were working on a deal that would see Smith buy the Coyotes and relocate the team from [[Phoenix metropolitan area|Greater Phoenix]] to Salt Lake City.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seravalli |first=Frank |title=Sources: NHL, Arizona Coyotes working on agreement to sell and relocate to Salt Lake City |url=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/sources-nhl-drafting-2024-25-schedule-version-with-coyotes-relocated-to-salt-lake-city |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Daily Faceoff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |last2=Wyshynski |first2=Greg |date=2024-04-10 |title=Sources: NHL plan could move Coyotes to Utah |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39915208/coyotes-relocate-salt-lake-city-part-nhl-plan |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Elliotte |title=NHL, Arizona Coyotes preparing for possible relocation to Utah |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/nhl-arizona-coyotes-preparing-for-possible-relocation-to-utah/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Sportsnet.ca |language=en}}</ref>
-On April 18th, 2024, the sale and relocation of the Coyotes to Salt Lake City was finalized and announced on social media.<ref name="espn2024">{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=NHL approves Coyotes sale, relocation to Salt Lake City |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39970381/nhl-approves-coyotes-sale-relocation-salt-lake-city |access-date=19 April 2024 |publisher=ESPN |date=18 April 2024}}</ref>
+On April 18, 2024, Smith purchased the [[Arizona Coyotes]] assets (personnel, draft picks, roster) from [[Alex Meruelo]] for $1.2 billion. Meruelo retained the ''Coyotes'' brand, allowing Smith to [[Utah Hockey Club|establish a new franchise]] in Salt Lake City.<ref name="espn2024">{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=NHL approves Coyotes sale, relocation to Salt Lake City |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39970381/nhl-approves-coyotes-sale-relocation-salt-lake-city |access-date=19 April 2024 |publisher=ESPN |date=18 April 2024}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
@@ Line 42: / Line 39: @@
 {{Utah Jazz}}
-{{Utah NHL team}}
+{{Utah Hockey Club}}
 {{Real Salt Lake}}
 {{NHL owners}}
@@ Line 61: / Line 58: @@
 [[Category:Major League Soccer owners]]
 [[Category:Marriott School of Management alumni]]
+[[Category:National Hockey League owners]]
 [[Category:NBA owners]]
 [[Category:People from Provo, Utah]]

v t e Utah Jazz
Founded in 1974 Played in New Orleans (1974–1979) Based in Salt Lake City, Utah
Franchise	All-time roster Draft history 1974 expansion draft Records Head coaches Seasons Current season
Arenas	Loyola Field House New Orleans Municipal Auditorium Louisiana Superdome Salt Palace Delta Center
Personnel	Owner(s) Ryan Smith President Jim Olson CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge General manager Justin Zanik Head coach Will Hardy
NBA G League affiliate	Salt Lake City Stars
Retired numbers	1 4 7 9 12 14 32 35 53 1223
Rivalries	Denver Nuggets Houston Rockets
Culture and lore	Radio network Jazz Bear Team mural Craig Bolerjack Thurl Bailey Hot Rod Hundley Dan Roberts KJZZ-TV Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals Celtic Pride Tiffany Coyne "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" (The Simpsons episode) "Whatever It Takes" (Imagine Dragons song) Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season Larry H. Miller Gail Miller

v t e Utah Hockey Club
Founded in 2024 Based in Salt Lake City, Utah
Franchise	Team General managers Coaches Players Captains Draft picks Current season
History	Ice hockey in Utah Arizona Coyotes 2024 expansion
Personnel	Owner(s) Smith Entertainment Group (Ryan and Ashley Smith) General manager Bill Armstrong Head coach Andre Tourigny Team captain Clayton Keller Current roster
Arena	Delta Center
Affiliates	AHL Tucson Roadrunners ECHL Allen Americans
Media	TV KUPX-TV Radio KZNS
Culture and lore	Frozen Fury

v t e Real Salt Lake
Founded 2004 Based in Sandy, Utah
Franchise	History Seasons Records Players
Stadiums	America First Field Rice–Eccles Stadium
Affiliated clubs	Real Monarchs MLSNP Utah Royals NWSL Utah Royals FC Reserves WPSL
Culture / supporters	Branden Steineckert
Rivalries	Colorado Rapids (Rocky Mountain Cup)
Key personnel	Owners Ryan Smith David Blitzer Head coach Pablo Mastroeni Former executives Dave Checketts Dean Howes Dell Loy Hansen
Seasons	2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024