Utah’s Rise to Sports Prominence
A New Era for Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, is rapidly becoming a sports hub. With the help of tech billionaire Ryan Smith, the city is pushing to become a major player in the sports world. The Utah Hockey Club’s relocation from Phoenix to Salt Lake City marks a significant milestone in this journey.
A City Ready for the NHL
The city’s growing and changing demographics, showcased during the NBA’s All-Star Game earlier this year, made it an attractive location for an NHL team. Commissioner Gary Bettman believes Salt Lake City has a strong interest in hockey and the means to support a team. Surveys and research conducted by the investor group, led by Smith, confirmed that the city was ready for an NHL team.
A Sellout Crowd and Record-Breaking Sales
The Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season has gotten off to a flying start. Every one of the 11,131 unobstructed view seats at Delta Center has been sold out, with thousands more filled for most games. Merchandise sales have also broken records, with the team generating the highest retail sales on its opening night of any hockey team this season.
A New Home for the Utah Hockey Club
The Delta Center, purchased by Smith in 2020, has undergone significant renovations to accommodate the NHL team. The goal is to have 17,000 seats for hockey games in the next three years, with most having unobstructed views. Smith has also invested in a former Olympic facility for team practices and acquired a mall in a local suburb to build a permanent training facility.
The Power of Tech-Savvy Ownership
Ryan Smith, 46, founded Qualtrics in Provo, Utah, and has been instrumental in bringing sports to the state. As a lifelong Utah Jazz fan, Smith started his journey in sports ownership when he bought the team. His tech background has given him an edge in understanding the importance of investment and technology in reaching fans.
A Bright Future for Utah Sports
With Smith’s deep ties in the community and his ownership of multiple teams, including the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake, he is well-positioned to drive growth in Utah’s sports scene. The Utah Hockey Club has already signed major sponsorship partners and is pacing to be in the top 20 in the NHL for sponsorship and ticket revenue this season. As Salt Lake City prepares to host the Winter Olympics in 2034, the future of sports in Utah looks brighter than ever.
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