Jazz owner makes formal request to bring NHL to Utah

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith submitted a letter to the NHL on Wednesday requesting to initiate the expansion process to bring a franchise to Salt Lake City.

"(Smith Entertainment Group) SEG envisions a near future where the NHL will thrive in Utah, and we are 100% focused on making this happen as soon as possible," Smith wrote in a statement, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "We are passionate about sports and entertainment in the state and are committed to providing premium sports and entertainment experiences for the people of Utah and visitors from around the world. We are ready to welcome the NHL and are confident that the time and attention being spent by all parties will bring one of the most exciting and dynamic leagues in the world to our community on a permanent basis."

The league responded that it'll continue discussions with Smith and his team.

"The NHL appreciates the interest expressed by Smith Entertainment Group to bring NHL hockey to Utah," the league wrote in a statement. "During conversations over the course of the past two years, we have been impressed by Ryan and Ashley Smith's commitment to their community and their passion and vision for Utah, not only as a hockey market but as a preeminent sports and entertainment destination. Utah is a promising market, and we look forward to continuing our discussions."

Smith has been in talks with commissioner Gary Bettman since early 2022. In June, Smith said the NHL would thrive in Salt Lake City like it has in Seattle and Las Vegas, the league's two most recent expansion sites.

Smith's proposal to the league said a potential franchise could share a venue with the Jazz at the Delta Center or begin play down the road in a new "state-of-the-art" arena.

The expansion request would need to be addressed with the league's board of governors before moving forward, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.