Gail Miller and the Miller family have announced plans to sell the majority interest in the Utah Jazz to Qualtrics CEO Ryan Smith after 35 years of owning the team.
- The sale would be for more than $1.6 billion.
- Smith is a lifelong Utah resident and Utah Jazz fan.
- The decision awaits approval from the NBA Board of Governors, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Smith reacted to the news with three double-eye emojis, which is as much of a confirmation as you could ask for.
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) October 28, 2020
Other reactions filtered online as people wondered what this means for the future of the NBA franchise and how Smith will handle the Jazz in the near future.
Also Very grateful for the Miller family and the amazing organization that they have built over the years! It’s a new chapter for the Jazz but they will forever be a big part of this team and none of this would be possible without them.
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) October 28, 2020
Thank you Miller family! You guys have been first class in every category! @RyanQualtrics excited for the future!!
— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) October 28, 2020
Congratulations to the Miller family. They have developed a terrific franchise in the @UtahJazz — and congratulations to @RyanQualtrics for investing in the Jazz and in Utah. I wish all involved great success, and thank them for all they’ve done to make Utah the state of sport.
— Gary R. Herbert (@GovHerbert) October 28, 2020
The Miller Family gave Utah a generation of camaraderie, fandom, and joy when they brought us the @UtahJazz. Thank you, Miller Family, for the many seasons of competition and excitement you gifted our city and state. Welcome @RyanQualtrics! #TakeNote https://t.co/NuGD79t0zv
— Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) October 28, 2020
Price for the Jazz at $1.6 Billion is a good sign for the NBA.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 28, 2020
Forbes, weeks before Covid-19 locked everything up, had the Jazz at $1.55 Billion.
This includes the arena, so there is a discount, but not as much as I would have thought.
Congrats to @RyanQualtrics on your purchase of the @utahjazz!! A new era begins on the shoulders of the great Miller family and the legacy of Larry H Miller who rescued the team in 1985 and laid it all on the line. https://t.co/b5xLxNGE0m
— Mark Eaton (@markeaton7ft4) October 28, 2020
Whatttttt?!?!? @RyanQualtrics !!!! That’s dope homie https://t.co/Hf7hQsVwAN
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) October 28, 2020
Thank you Larry
— JazzNation (@JazzNationNews) October 28, 2020
Thank you Gail
Thank you Miller Family #JazzNation #UtahJazz #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/WRRn211IgW
I'm so giddy about this new chapter for the Utah Jazz I just can't handle it, haha. This is a great day.
— Spencer Ryan Hall (@spencerhall) October 28, 2020
WOW! The Miller family selling the @utahjazz Was so lucky to do a handful of shows with Larry Miller while in SLC from his dealerships. His passion for the team and community, along with Gail's, was second to none. New owner lifelong Jazz fan. Still kind of sad day.
— Ian Furness (@IanFurnessSea) October 28, 2020
Seeing this news made nerves jump, loved the Millers owning the team, Larry H Miller was a great man, Gail was a great owner while it lasted. But welcome to the @utahjazz @RyanQualtrics https://t.co/33ijOMreEm
— Bodhi (@Pointbreak108) October 28, 2020
I mean don’t get me wrong if I came into a couple billion dollars buying my favorite sports team would be the first thing I’d do as well. Hopefully @RyanQualtrics can bring this team a ring #UtahJazz
— Nathan (@elinforman) October 28, 2020
Congrats to @RyanQualtrics and the @utahjazz. Super excited to see the future of this team!
— Taggart Befus (@TaggartBefus) October 28, 2020
This is a big. Thank you Miller’s for your work with our @utahjazz https://t.co/DIwIBTI0JY
— Bryson Wolf🌹🐺🇺🇸 (@BrysonWolf) October 28, 2020