January 24, 2024 | 10:36am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
UTAH FORMALLY ENTERS RACE FOR NHL FRANCHISE
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
On Monday, TFP’s David Pagnotta discussed the likelihood of further expansion in the NHL while on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. While he noted the NHL does not plan on adding franchises at the present time, expansion is on the horizon.
Two days later, one of the markets Pagnotta mentioned, Salt Lake City, has formally thrown its hat in the ring for a club.
Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which owns the Utah Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (MLS), Utah Royals (NWSL) and the Delta Center, announced today they have formally requested that the NHL “initiate an expansion process with the ultimate purpose of bringing an NHL franchise to Utah.”
SEG also noted that they would use the Delta Center as an immediate and “interim home” for an NHL franchise until a new state-of-the-art facility is constructed.
“SEG envisions a near future where the NHL will thrive in Utah, and we are 100% focused on making this happen as soon as possible,” Ryan Smith, chairman of SEG and governor of the Utah Jazz, said in a prepared 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.”
The NHL has attracted interest from multiple markets in recent years and months, including Atlanta, Houston, Kansas City, San Diego, Portland, and Quebec City, in addition to Salt Lake City.
As per SEG’s press release, Smith has been in talks with the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman “since early 2022.”
“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,” said state Governor Spencer Cox. “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.”