Jazz Governor Ryan Smith Formally Requests NHL Expansion Team in Salt Lake City

Utah Jazz governor Ryan Smith is taking steps to make his desire for an NHL franchise in Salt Lake City become a reality.

The Smith Entertainment Group, led by Ryan and Ashley Smith, formally asked the NHL to initiate the expansion process that would bring a franchise to the state of Utah.

Smith has been talking about wanting an NHL franchise in Salt Lake City for awhile now.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to reporters in June during the league's state-of-the-union news conference the league has had conversations with Smith.

"We've certainly talked to Ryan Smith," Daly said, "and he has indicated he has an interest in bringing the NHL to Salt Lake City."

In a follow-up interview with The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun on June 22, Smith cited the state of Utah's viability for an expansion club:

"If you look at all the data, we're probably one of the best setups for the Winter Olympics that exists. Everything is close. We're the fastest-growing state. We're the youngest state. You look at our Utah Jazz, we sold out like 240 straight games in the NBA with three different makeups of a team, right? The fans, when they go in, they go in. We're starting to see this massive movement toward in-person sports, and I think it's definitely on the rise, and I'm really intrigued with hockey."

It's expected that Salt Lake City will be the host site for the 2034 Winter Olympics. The city previously hosted the 2002 Games.

Despite Smith's enthusiasm for a new NHL franchise, Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune noted any expansion decision will come down to what the league's 32 team owners want to do.

Larsen pointed out the formal statement notes Salt Lake City could host NHL games right away at the Delta Center, home of the Jazz, before building a new arena that would be "designed for professional and Olympic hockey."

The NHL most recently expanded to 32 teams starting with the 2021-22 season when the Seattle Kraken debuted.