Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith hypes up state after massive UFC 291 event

As the UFC came to Salt Lake City, Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith to talk up the state.

UFC 291 emanated from the home of the Utah Jazz on Saturday, July 29th, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship came to Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. The Delta Center is, of course, the home of the Jazz, and while the night had a lot of talking points; Stephen Thompson’s fight being canceled, who would win the BMF title, could Alex Pereira find success at light heavyweight, and what did Tony Furegson have left in the tank, Jazz owner Ryan Smith decided to hop in on the talking points.

Smith, who bought the Utah Jazz in 2020, is as Utah as they come. While he was born in Oregon, he went to BYU, and started up his company Qualtrics out of Provo Utah. Smith clearly loves the state, and he loves his Jazz. So it wasn’t surprising that Smith took the opportunity to further hype up the state and Salt Lake City, with the added eyes of the national media in town for UFC 291.

Smith talked about the growth of Utah as a state following the event at the customary UFC post-fight presser, with KSL quoting him as saying;

"I think you’ve got the fastest-growing state in the country. I think you’ve got the youngest state in the country and it’s been that way for a few years. I mean, it’s what brings me to want to go do what we’re doing in sports and our partnership with UFC. I think we’re both all in on trying to improve I think you look from the card standpoint and I mean, the last two years, there’s not going through the motions. I mean, we’re literally working to have an amazing event here and hopefully like the staple of the summer."

Smith also talked about how he was looking at bringing back the UFC sooner rather than later, as UFC 291 was the second show to come to Salt Lake City in 11 months. More UFC shows are coming and Smith intends on capitalizing on things like this, and the Olympics, to help pitch for a hockey team in Salt Lake City.

With the Olympics being eyed for a return in 2030 or 2034 depending on availability and other variables, it’s clear that Smiths’ focus on raising the profile of the state goes far beyond a competitive Jazz team.

If he can do just that, then it may make Utah and the Jazz look far more attractive to free agents.