Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) has requested that the NHL initiate an expansion process with the ultimate purpose of bringing an NHL franchise to Utah.
SEG is the parent company of the Utah Jazz, Delta Center, Real Salt Lake (MLS), the Utah Royals (NWSL), and several other Utah-based sports and entertainment ventures.
“SEG envisions a near future where the NHL will thrive in Utah, and we are 100 per cent focused on making this happen as soon as possible,” SEG owner and chairman Ryan Smith said in a statement. “We are passionate about sports and entertainment in the state and are committed to providing premium sports and entertainment experiences for the people of Utah and visitors from around the world.
"We are ready to welcome the NHL and are confident that the time and attention being spent by all parties will bring one of the most exciting and dynamic leagues in the world to our community on a permanent basis.”
In its own statement, the NHL said Utah "is a promising market" and it looks forward to having further discussions with SEG.
"The NHL appreciates the interested expressed by Smith Entertainment Group to bring NHL hockey to Utah," the NHL said. "During conversations over the course of the past two years, we've 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."
SEG had initially expressed an interest in bringing and NHL franchise to Utah with Ryan and Ashley Smith initiating conversations with commissioner Gary Bettman back in 2022.
The interest has now led to a formal request to the league with the proposal including a plan to build a new arena in Utah. Any decision of expansion has to be approved by the NHL Board of Governors.
Smith Entertainment Group said the city can host a team immediately out of Delta Center. The plan for a new arena is being “designed for professional and Olympic hockey.”
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee endorsed Salt Lake City as the American bid city for an upcoming Winter Olympics with the hopes to host in 2034.
“Utah has a long history with hockey, the strongest economy in the nation, a passionate sports fanbase, and the youngest and most active population. These factors make Utah ripe for the expansion of our sports and entertainment community. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to welcome the NHL,” Governor Spencer Cox said in the statement. “With the Olympic bid underway, our long-standing reputation as one of the greatest winter sports capitals in the world, and with the proven leadership of Ryan and Ashley Smith and SEG in our community, I am extremely optimistic about the future of Utah.”
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote in 32 Thoughts back in June about Smith's desire to land an NHL franchise citing the NHL's recent expansion clubs in the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken as the preferred process.
"My message has been consistent to Gary (Bettman) and Bill (Daly). Look, we’re a willing partner. We’re here. We’re ready," Smith told Friedman.
“When you get older, you say, ‘Hey, what are the things I’m really passionate about?’ I’m passionate about my family. I’m passionate about my faith. I’m passionate about golf. I’m passionate about my alma mater (Brigham Young University). And I’m passionate about my state.”
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.