Find out who owns the Utah Jazz, the owner's net worth, source of wealth and ownership history of the franchise.
The Utah Jazz are a household franchise based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and are part of the NBA's Western Conference Northwest Division.
Who owns the Utah Jazz?
The Utah Jazz NBA franchise is owned by Ryan Smith, who purchased the team in December 2020.
Utah Jazz ownership structure
Who is Ryan Smith?
Ryan Smith is an American businessman and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group. He is also the co-founder of Qualtrics.
Smith owns the Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Mammoth (NHL), co-owner of Real Salt Lake (MLS) and Utah Royals (NWSL).
Net worth
According to figures from Forbes, Ryan Smith has an estimated net worth of $2.2B accrued from his earnings at Qualtrics and Smith Entertainment Group.
Ryan Smith's source of wealth
Qualtrics
Ryan Smith is the co-founder of the American experience management company Qualtrics. According to Forbes, the company was later acquired by SAP for $8 billion.
However, Smith purchased up to $120 million worth of the company's stock in 2021. Today, the company generates around US$1.46 billion as of 2023.
Utah Jazz
Ryan Smith is the majority shareholder of the NBA franchise team Utahz, acquired in October 2020 from Gail Miller for $1.66 billion. Along with the sale of the Jazz is the Delta Centre indoor venue.
Other assets included in the deal are the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League and the Salt Lake Bees, the teams which play in Minor League Baseball.
Real Salt Lake
Smith is the co-owner of the Major League Soccer franchise alongside investor David Blitzer. The duo purchased the club in 2022 for $400 million. The sale also included the America First Field, Real Monarchs and Zions Bank Stadium.
Utah Royals
Ryan Smith and investor David Blitzer re-established the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Utah Royals in 2023.
Dwyane Wade: Former NBA star, holds a minority ownership stake in the team.
Club Net Worth & Valuation
According to figures from Forbes, the Utah Jazz are valued at $3.55 billion.
Club Ownership History
The Utah Jazz franchise was founded in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz. The team relocated to Utah in 1979.
Larry H. Miller purchased the franchise in 1985 before Ryan Smith acquired it in 2020.