Amid the campaign to win the 2034 WinterOlympics, Salt Lake City could also become a new home for the National Hockey League. The Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), owner of several professional teams, formally asked the NHL to begin an expansion process.
Currently, the capital of Utah is only home to one team from one of the four major sports leagues in the United States: the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, its sporting life is quite active, said the SEG.
The sports and entertainment corporation owns several assets in Salt Lake City, including the Jazz itself, Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, and the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League.
As far as Hockey is concerned, SEG owns the Utah Grizzlies, a team in the East Coast Hockey League and a subsidiary of the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.
That’s why Ryan Smith, SEG chairman, envisions an NHL team thriving in Utah, “and we are 100% focused on making that happen as soon as possible.”
The vision of Ryan Smith and the SEG
In a statement released today, Smith recalled the group’s passion for sports and its mission to bring sports entertainment to the world. He said the company and Salt Lake City“are ready to welcome the NHL.”
“We 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,” stated the businessman.
In turn, the Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, recalled that his state “has a long history with hockey, the strongest economy in the nation, a passionate sports fanbase, and the youngest and most active population.”
He explained, “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.”
The NHL’s response
The enthusiasm of the company and authorities received an immediate response from the NHL, which stated that “we appreciate the interest expressed by Smith Entertainment Group to bring NHL hockey to Utah.”
It recalled that they have held discussions with all stakeholders over the past two years, and the NHL Board of Governors is impressed with the commitment of Ryan and Ashley Smith to their community and the passion they have shown in bringing a league team to Utah.
However, the league made no promises and simply said, “Utah is a promising market, and we look forward to continuing our discussions.”
If the expansion is approved, SEG assured that the team could play its first years at the Delta Center, home of the Jazz, until a specific venue is built for the new franchise. Plan B, according to the statement, would be to schedule the new team’s debut for the moment its permanent stadium is ready.