Ryan Smith's Expanding Sports Empire Lifts Utah
When Ryan Smith acquired the NHL's Arizona Coyotes and relocated them to Salt Lake City, hockey in Utah took on a new dimension. The team, rebranded as the Utah Hockey Club, made its debut with prevalent fanfare, marked by a star-studded opening night. Spectators were treated to the presence of retired Basketball Hall of Fame guard Dwyane Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, adding celebrity pizzazz to the occasion.
Smith's vision for the team goes beyond mere relocation and rebranding. He has reinvigorated the local sports scene, expertly tying it into his already sizeable portfolio of stakes in major Salt Lake City sports teams. Smith and Wade's professional partnership spans multiple franchises, reminding sports fans that their alliance is more than a business arrangement. Wade is a limited partner of both the Utah Jazz and the newly formed Utah Hockey Club, signaling his investment in the region's sports future. Expressing his newfound passion for hockey, Wade enthused, "I took a plane to watch hockey! Never thought I'd do that in my life."
The Smith and Wade Partnership
The partnership between Smith and Wade has been transformational for Utah's sporting landscape. In 2020, Ryan Smith made headlines with the $1.66 billion acquisition of the NBA's Utah Jazz, alongside Wade as a co-owner. Together, they have not just invested in teams but have woven themselves into the local culture. Smith has furthered his impact by holding stakes in Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and the National Women's Soccer League's Utah Royals, effectively building a mini sports conglomerate in Utah.
Gentry Anderson, a fan and local commentator, succinctly captured the zeitgeist: "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."
Beyond the Arena: A Broader Vision
Smith's ambitions transcend athletic boundaries. A successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Qualtrics—sold to SAP for a whopping $8 billion—he is now driving initiatives that aim to rejuvenate Salt Lake City's downtown area. His influence also extends into academia; as a guest lecturer at Brigham Young University, Smith steers conversations about sports, technology, and community engagement.
Smith has played an influential role in putting Utah on the map for global sporting events, contributing to a successful bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics. This adds another feather to his cap, showcasing his commitment to fostering a vibrant sporting culture in the region.
A.J. Dybantsa and the Future
The sports DNA in Utah is evolving, and the involvement of rising stars like A.J. Dybantsa adds exciting prospects to this landscape. Dybantsa recently committed to Brigham Young University with a much-talked-about NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal rumored to range between $4 million and $7 million. Though Smith isn't financially involved in this particular deal, his influence on college sports is palpable, given his academic ties and industry insights.
Commitment and Innovation
What distinguishes Smith is his unwavering philosophy of action and commitment, as he once remarked, "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." This mindset is palpable in his pursuits, whether within Utah or beyond.
Smith’s partnership with the NBA, exemplified by his conversation with commissioner Adam Silver where he declared, "Use me as a laboratory for the future of NBA broadcasts," underscores his eagerness to innovate and redefine how sports engage with their audience.
Ryan Smith is not just shaping sports in Utah; he is reshaping its community and cultural fabric. As Utah's sports capital thrives under his stewardship, the state looks set to continue riding this wave of sustained growth and participatory spirit, led by one of its most visionary inhabitants.