According to reports, Ryan Smith was instrumental in Utah’s selection as this year’s All-Star weekend host. In 1993, when the All-Star weekend was last hosted in Utah, the 45-year-old was a young spectator in the stands.
Smith stated the following at the time: Ryan Smith, the majority owner of the Utah Jazz, is one of the youngest owners in the NBA at the age of 45. Smith will also serve as one of the All-Star celebrity game’s honorary captains. We examine his profile as a whole on this occasion.
Who is Ryan Smith Owner of the Utah Jazz?
S. Ryan Smith is a notable businessman and billionaire in the United States. He is well-known as the executive chairman and co-founder of Qualtrics, a Provo, Utah, United States-based experience management company. Under Smith’s direction, Qualtrics has expanded and established a considerable influence in the business sector.
Fortune magazine ranked Smith as one of the top 40 young CEOs in the world in 2016. He was listed on Fortune’s coveted “40 Under 40” list, which honours the most important and accomplished young business leaders across multiple industries.
In addition to his success in business, Smith is also active in the sports industry. He is an investor in two professional sports teams, the Utah Jazz of the NBA and Real Salt Lake of the MLS.
In October 2020, Smith agreed to purchase the Utah Jazz for a staggering $1.66 billion from the Miller family. The NBA Board of Governors approved the deal on December 18, 2020. Real Salt Lake will be acquired by Smith Entertainment Group and David Blitzer in January 2022.
Ryan Smith is the son of Scott M. Smith, a university professor and co-founder of Qualtrics, and Nancy Smith Hill, an entrepreneur with a PhD in information systems. Ryan was born in Eugene, Oregon. In addition to his career, Smith is a committed family man.
He is married to Ashley Smith, with whom he shares five children. As of September 2021, Forbes estimated Smith’s net worth at $1.6 billion. Ryan Smith and his family are known to reside in Provo, Utah, the location of his company’s headquarters.
The Utah Jazz Are Ready to Change Hands
When you think of the Utah Jazz, the names Karl Malone and John Stockton likely come to mind first. Miller, however, has been a steady presence throughout the years.
Larry Miller, a Utah-born businessman, purchased fifty per cent of the Jazz in 1985; a year later, he purchased the remaining shares. Miller passed away in 2009, and his wife Gail assumed control of the franchise.
In 2017, however, a little alteration occurred. “Gail Miller, the owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, announced today that ownership of the Utah Jazz and Vivint Smart Home Arena have been transferred to a Legacy Trust in order to retain the franchise in Utah for future generations,” according to an NBA statement. This unprecedented measure will ensure the Jazz remains an integral part of Utah and continue to represent the state internationally.
READ MORE: Who is Charlie Gooch? Meet Florence Pugh’s Rumored Boyfriend!
I hope you like this article, share your feedback with us in the comment section @Keeperfacts