Ryan Smith built his career in technology. Now, the Utah Jazz & Mammoth owner is applying that operating philosophy to a growing sports and entertainment portfolio.
Smith joins Portfolio Players to discuss why he entered sports after selling Qualtrics, how his approach to team ownership mirrors his experience as a technology CEO, and why he views the Jazz as a 30-year commitment rather than simply an investment. He also explains how his family’s connection to Utah shaped the decision to pursue the Jazz and why his broader vision for sports ownership is focused on building the state of Utah.
Smith breaks down the role sports can play as an “anchor tenant” for real estate and downtown development, pointing to the growth of the NHL’s Utah Mammoth, the Delta Center and the surrounding sports ecosystem. He also discusses the professionalization of college sports and NIL, the future of NBA expansion in the U.S. and Europe, and why his group remains interested in additional sports opportunities.
The conversation also covers the growth of sports betting, the challenge of making hockey more accessible to television audiences, and Halo Fund, Smith’s investment vehicle focused on the intersection of sports, entertainment and technology.
Portfolio Players, presented by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, explores how institutional capital, cultural momentum, and strategic ownership are redefining the business of sports.
