A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit to proceed against Seattle police officers involved in the 2019 shooting of Ryan Smith, who was killed after a mental health crisis. The case challenges the officers' use of deadly force and the police department's handling of Smith's mental health issues, with the trial scheduled for September. The ruling marks a shift in legal attitudes towards police accountability and qualified immunity.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith explained why the team drafted Rutgers star Ace Bailey despite it not being his preferred destination, emphasizing their focus on taking the best player available and his confidence in Bailey's potential to love Utah and succeed there.
The NHL's newest franchise in Utah, owned by Ryan Smith, has announced six potential names for the team: Utah Blizzard, Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom, and Utah Yeti. Fans can vote on their favorite until June 20. The team, which relocated from Arizona, will play at Delta Arena and will have "UTAH" on their jerseys for the inaugural 2024-25 season, with full branding to follow in 2025-26.
Utah's NHL team owner Ryan Smith announced that the team name voting is down to four options: Mammoth, Yeti, and two undisclosed names. A fan survey by KSL.com suggests the top contenders are Yeti, Outlaws, Mammoth, and Blizzard. The final name will be revealed well into the first season, with the team wearing "Utah" jerseys in 2024-25.
Ryan Smith, the new owner of the NHL team in Utah, is excited about the opportunity to build a movement and elevate the NHL. He aims to involve the community in choosing the team's name and wants to create a unique hockey experience for fans. Despite the tight timeline, Smith is focused on integrating the team into its new surroundings and maintaining continuity in the front office. The Utah NHL team will start without a nickname, and renovations will be made to the arena to accommodate hockey seating. Smith is confident in Utah's market potential and is determined to prove the naysayers wrong.
The NHL has approved the $1.2 billion sale of the Arizona Coyotes to Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the NBA's Utah Jazz. The sale involves the transfer of the Coyotes' player and hockey operations to a new NHL franchise owned by the Smith Entertainment Group, which will play in the SEG-owned Delta Center next season. The current owner, Alex Meruelo, will retain the team's name, logos, and other intellectual property, with an opportunity to resurrect the franchise for $1 billion if a new arena project is successful within the next five years.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith hinted at the Coyotes' move to Utah during an interview, expressing confidence in the potential sale of the team to Smith Entertainment Group. The NHL, Smith, and current Coyotes owner, Alex Meruelo, have been working on the sale, which would require approval from the NHL Board of Governors. Smith has voiced his desire to bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City, with plans for a new brand and extensive preparations once the team arrives. The pending move doesn't rule out hockey in the desert, as Meruelo will have a five-year window to build a new arena and potentially bring an expansion NHL franchise back to the Phoenix area.
The Arizona Coyotes are expected to announce the sale of the franchise to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and its relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah for $1.2 billion, with Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo receiving $1 billion and the rest going to NHL owners as a relocation fee. The sale comes after the team's struggles to secure a new arena, with plans for a new arena in northeast Phoenix still in the works.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith addressed rumors of an NHL team relocating to Salt Lake City, indicating that the reports are "pretty true" and expressing confidence in the local fan base. Speculation suggests that the Arizona Coyotes may be the team to make the move, with a potential announcement expected by the end of the week. While a news conference regarding the Coyotes' sale to Smith is anticipated, the deal is not yet finalized, but is reportedly nearing completion.
The Arizona Coyotes are on the verge of relocating to Salt Lake City, pending approval from the NHL board of governors, with Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith set to acquire the franchise. The move comes after failed attempts to secure a new arena in Arizona, and if approved, Smith will pay between $1.2 and $1.3 billion for the team. The NHL plans to retain the Coyotes' players and hockey operations staff in the transaction, while also leaving the door open for former owner Alex Meruelo to "reactivate" the franchise as an expansion team in Arizona if his arena project is completed. The team's future in Utah includes potential hockey-specific upgrades to the Delta Center, and the NHL remains committed to bringing an expansion team back to Arizona in the future.
After almost three decades of bickering, turmoil, and instability, the Arizona Coyotes era is coming to an end as the team is set to be sold and relocated to Salt Lake City. The proposed sale and relocation are expected to bring stability under the ownership of Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz. The team's history has been marked by ownership instability, financial struggles, and disputes with the city of Glendale. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's long-standing commitment to keeping the team in Phoenix has finally given way to the decision to move the team, offering a chance for a fresh start and a potential fairy-tale success story in a new location.
Arizona Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong informed players that the NHL franchise will be relocating to Salt Lake City next season, with plans to renovate the Delta Center to accommodate hockey until a new downtown arena can be built. The team's sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith could be announced next week, and the Coyotes have been eliminated from playoff contention with a 34-40-5 record.
Salt Lake City may soon inherit an NHL franchise as the Arizona Coyotes consider relocating, prompting Jazz owner Ryan Smith to seek input on potential team names from hockey fans across Utah. Suggestions include Yeti, Stag, Mountaineers, Golden Eagles, Hive, Stingers, Saints, Pioneers, Olympians, and Blizzard. While the possibility of retaining the Coyotes name exists, historical precedent suggests a new nickname is likely. The timeline for naming the team varies, and the decision to include "Salt Lake" or "Utah" in the team name is also under consideration.
Significant progress has been made on an agreement to bring an NHL team to Utah, with reports indicating that the Arizona Coyotes could be relocated to Salt Lake City as early as next week. The team would be renamed and rebranded, and the potential move is linked to a sale to Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz, and the Smith Entertainment Group for over $1.2 billion. While the status of the Coyotes in Arizona remains uncertain, the NHL is reportedly creating two versions of a 2024-25 schedule, one with the team remaining in Phoenix and another for a potential move to Utah.
Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz, is determined to bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City, drawing on his passion for hockey and the city's history with the sport. Smith envisions marrying the NBA and NHL worlds, using the success of the Jazz as a blueprint for launching hockey to new heights. Despite the presence of the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies, Smith believes there is room for an NHL team and is actively pursuing the idea, even considering the Delta Center as a potential interim home for the team. With support from city officials and a growing tech industry, Salt Lake City is positioning itself as a viable candidate for an NHL franchise, with Smith emphasizing the city's forward-thinking values and potential for success in the league.
