SPECIAL EDITION
The Miller and Smith families at Jordan Commons
Among the many changes to the LHM Group in 2020 was the sale of a number of sports properties in addition to the Utah Jazz . Included in the transaction were Vivint Arena , 1280 The Zone Sports Radio , and the Salt Lake City Stars .
The sale highlighted a remarkable moment for the team and community .
On October 28 , 2020 , Gail Miller and the Miller family announced that they had entered into definitive agreements to sell a majority interest in the Utah Jazz and other sports and entertainment properties to technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith , co-founder of Utahbased Qualtrics .
“ Ryan Smith is a forward-thinking , community-minded entrepreneur and business leader who will be a fantastic addition to our league ,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver .
Smith had been a strong corporate partner of the Utah Jazz for many years and was cocreator of the “ 5 for the Fight ” jersey patch , the first philanthropic jersey patch in the history of North American professional sports .
“ Our family remains invested in the success of the Utah Jazz and these businesses , and we will retain a minority interest ,” said Gail Miller .
This sale highlighted a remarkable moment for the team and community . When Larry and Gail Miller purchased the Jazz in 1985 , they had done so in order to keep the team in Utah . The sale of the Jazz to Ryan Smith only went forward when the Miller family was certain that he would uphold that commitment and keep the team in Utah .
Over the years , the Jazz would captivate the nation — and world — with incredible players like John Stockton , Karl Malone , and Donovan Mitchell . The team even reached the NBA Finals several times in the late 1990s . By the time of the sale , the Jazz were an important and respected institution in Utah , one that has built one of the strongest and most fervent fanbases in all of sports .
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