Jazz owner Ryan Smith says Utah ‘top ten market’ in NBA

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith has said that the state is among the top-ten market in the NBA. The tech mogul argued that its population growth and rapid economic development were among the contributing factors.

Smith also dismissed claims that the state is one of the smallest markets among the 30 franchises in the NBA. The 44-year-old explained that the state’s growth over the past years had propelled Utah to be among the best-performing markets, evidenced by the Jazz’s ticket sales last season.

“We’re really not a small market. If you look at the growth of Utah, I think we’re a top ten market in the league when it comes to what we can support,” Smith told the KSL Sports Zone on Tuesday.

KSL Sports reported that the Jazz’s home turf, Vivint Arena, was filled to 100 percent total capacity in 2021. Only six other teams recorded such an attendance rate last year.

“Look at our fanbase, season ticket renewals, economic environment, where we’re at [with] unemployment, growth, the colleges, and universities,” Smith added.

In a report by World Population Review, Utah is ranked fourth behind Nevada, Arizona and the leading Idaho in terms of population growth in 2022.

Utah also provides supporting infrastructure, which has allowed market growth. This includes the Salt Lake International Airport, which Smith argued to be a luxury, inaccessible to “most small markets.”

“Simone [Fontecchio] can jump on a plane, or Rudy Gobert would be able to just fly direct to France. Most small markets don’t have a whole lot of that,” he continued.

When asked about the NBA’s All-Star game, the businessman said it would provide an “amazing opportunity” to prove what his team is worth.

“I’m still strongly of the belief that we’ve got just such an amazing opportunity with Utah to go show what we’re about,” Smith said. “The All-Star Game is going to be a great opportunity to do that.”