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According to Adrian Wojnarowski the Miller family have sold the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith.
After 35 years of stewardship, the Millers have entered into an agreement to sell the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics founder @RyanQualtrics, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 28, 2020
This comes as a pretty big surprise as the Jazz made headlines in recent years by creating a trust to keep the team in Utah.
Jazz fans can be assured that the Jazz are staying put in Utah for years to come. Smith has been very involved with the Jazz as a fixture courtside and with his involvement in the “5 For The Fight” campaign and jersey patch. In a lot of ways Ryan Smith will be the “Mark Cuban” of Utah. Smith has made his fortune with the growth of his tech company Qualtrics and just like Cuban, when the opportunity to purchase the team came up, he obviously jumped at the chance.
Ryan Smith, 40, is a lifelong Utah resident and Jazz fan who built a software company that sold for a reported $8B. Smith and his wife Ashley have had a longstanding relationship w/ franchise. Deal includes Vivint Arena, per sources, and pends approval of NBA Board of Governors. https://t.co/UUHL9pJtBG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 28, 2020
Time will tell to see how this affects the team, but Gail Miller has been an incredible steward of the team and Jazz fans owe her a debt of gratitude for making sure the team stays in Utah.
Gail on the future of the Jazz in Utah: pic.twitter.com/yvd3O98SzL
— Taylor Griffin (@griffdunk) October 28, 2020
Here is the Utah Jazz announcement.
Gail Miller and family announce agreement to sell majority interest in Utah Jazz and other sports and entertainment businesses to Qualtrics founder @RyanQualtrics.
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) October 28, 2020
» https://t.co/czcCGBqExX