Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Jazz owner continues crusade to land NHL expansion team in Utah

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/9/24

It’s no secret the NHL has an eye toward expansion sometime in the future, and Atlanta may not be the only city in the running for a potential expansion team.

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith recently stoked the NHL-to-Utah fires after posting a tweet seeking feedback from Jazz fans about what the nickname for a potential Utah-based NHL team should be.

If an NHL team were to come to Utah, what should we name it?

Fill out this survey and send your ideas:https://t.co/wmedXEUEyh https://t.co/BXhSRBqcPd
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) April 8, 2024

Smith received more than 660 responses to his tweet with plenty of nickname suggestions as well as some creative jersey and logo mockups as well.

Through his Smith Entertainment Group, the parent company of the Jazz, Smith formally requested the NHL initiate the expansion process in late January for a team based in Salt Lake City.

Smith believes he could accommodate an NHL team as soon as the 2024 season, which would begin in early October, with the team playing its home games at the Delta Center where the Jazz play until a permanent home is settled on.

Five NHL preseason games have been played at the Delta Center.

“The NHL appreciates the interest expressed by Smith Entertainment Group to bring NHL hockey to Utah,” the league said in a statement. “During conversations over the course of the past two years, we have been impressed by Ryan and Ashley Smith's commitment to their community and their passion and vision for Utah, not only as a hockey market, but as a preeminent sports and entertainment destination. Utah is a promising market, and we look forward to continuing our discussions.”

The ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, which play in nearby West Valley City and is an affiliate team of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles, is the only other hockey team in the market.

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