Utah Jazz Owner Submits Official Request for NHL Expansion Team in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City intends to become a major force in sports with the area likely hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics and in pursuit of an MLB expansion club. The city already has an NBA team with the Utah Jazz, and the owner of that team wants to bring professional hockey to the region. 

On Wednesday, Ryan Smith and his Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) announced that it made an official request to the National Hockey League to begin the process of bringing an expansion franchise to Utah. The proposal includes plans to build a new arena for hockey in Salt Lake City.

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith has been talking to the NHL for nearly a year about an expansion franchise for Salt Lake City.

Photo Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

SEG and the NHL have had discussions about an expansion franchise for nearly a year, according to the Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen. The league has not announced plans to add more teams since granting expansion franchises to Las Vegas in 2017 and Seattle in 2018.

A potential Utah hockey team would play at the Delta Center, the Jazz’s home arena, before moving into a brand-new facility devoted to professional and Olympic hockey. Other cities seeking an NHL expansion franchise are Atlanta, Houston, and Quebec City.

Smith says Salt Lake City could also be a candidate for a relocated team if, for instance, the Arizona Coyotes moved. The Coyotes currently play in a 5,000-seat arena on the campus of Arizona State.

“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,” Smith said in a statement, via the Salt Lake Tribune. “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.”