Jazz owners prepared to bring NHL team to Utah

Jan 24, 2024, 12:40 PM ET

The owners of the Utah Jazz said Wednesday that they have the immediate ability to bring an NHL team to Utah and requested the initiation of an expansion process.

The Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) said in a news release that it would use the Jazz’s arena as an interim home for an NHL franchise. SEG CEO Ryan Smith said the company is “100% focused on making this happen as soon as possible.”

Talks between Smith and the league have been going on since 2022. The NHL said in a statement it appreciates the interest.

“During conversations over the course of the past two years, we have been impressed by Ryan and Ashley Smith’s commitment to their community and their passion and vision for Utah, not only as a hockey market but as a preeminent sports and entertainment destination,” the NHL said in a statement. “Utah is a promising market, and we look forward to continuing our discussions.”

The announcement comes past the midway point of the hockey season and with remaining uncertainty about the future of the Arizona Coyotes, who are playing a second season in 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State in Tempe. League and NHL Players’ Association leaders said last year that they would like a resolution sooner than later about a long-term future for the Coyotes in the Phoenix area.

Smith told ESPN he didn’t care if he inherits a relocated team or starts from scratch with an expansion team.

“We know they’re not free,” Smith said of the potential expansion cost. “We’ve gone through the purchasing process of two teams [NBA’s Utah Jazz and MLS’ Real Salt Lake City] in the last 2½ years. So we have a pretty good idea of where things stack. That’s definitely part of our intention and commitment, and we don’t want to go through the process if we’re not serious about it. The stadium is another big part of it as well. To get our group around the table and have everyone say unanimously say, ‘We’re in,’ is pretty powerful.”

The Coyotes declined…

Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39378325/jazz-owners-prepared-bring-nhl-team-salt-lake-city

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Publish date : 2024-01-24 20:06:43

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