Utah
What kind of NHL owner would Ryan Smith be? What his Utah Jazz ownership tells us
SALT LAKE CITY — Ryan Smith understands that owning multiple professional sports franchises comes with some added pressure.
As part of a recent interview with The Athletic, the owner of the Utah Jazz was asked about the prospect of adding an NHL team to his portfolio. Smith invoked the names of Ted Leonsis and Larry Tanenbaum, who own NBA and NHL franchises in Washington, D.C. and Toronto respectively.
“Sometimes it’s probably easier to only do one. You just have fans yelling at you for part of the year,” laughed Smith.
Smith could be in line to inherit the Arizona Coyotes in the weeks ahead, which would put him at the top of the organizational chart for two franchises playing out of the Delta Center this fall.
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Smith’s passion for basketball is well-documented. He’s a lifelong fan who is present with a courtside seat for virtually every Jazz home game. Smith is involved in key decisions for basketball operations, but says he allows his leadership team consisting of Danny Ainge (CEO basketball operations), Justin Zanik (general manager) and Will Hardy (head coach) to have the loudest voices in the room.
“If those three agree on something, I’m probably not going to override them,” said Smith. “I am almost certain that if those three are aligned, I’m going to be aligned.”
The 45-year-old Smith acknowledges he will adopt a very similar approach if he secures an NHL franchise in Salt Lake City.
“When it comes to hockey, I’m going to want to know what’s going on. I’m going to want to be involved with the ins and outs of everything we’re doing. But do I want to micromanage every decision? Absolutely not,” said Smith. “I will be a better leader for everyone if I know what’s going on. But I don’t want to be a leader where every decision comes through me or the organization doesn’t move. Being involved and being in the know is very different than making sure you are the lynchpin in every decision. That is not my style.”
Smith purchased a majority stake in the Jazz from the Miller family for $1.6 billion in the fall of 2020. Since then, he has put his fingerprints on the organization in a myriad of ways.
To help NHL fans understand how Smith operates as a professional sports team owner, Tony Jones — the Jazz beat writer for The Athletic — has provided answers and analysis to a handful of questions. Jones has covered the Jazz for the entirety of Smith’s ownership in Salt Lake City.
What are the biggest changes fans in Utah have noticed since Ryan Smith took over ownership of the team at the end of 2020?
When the Miller family owned the Utah Jazz, they were a team that stayed competitive while typically playing things relatively close to the vest. John Stockton, Karl Malone and Jerry Sloan made the Jazz elite by the late 1990s and the franchise twice played for an NBA title. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer took the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals in 2007. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert made the Jazz the top seed in the Western Conference in 2021. The philosophy was always a bit safe. The franchise promoted a family atmosphere. The franchise put heavy emphasis on internal development, seeing that the Utah market wasn’t one that typically attracted elite free agents — Boozer notwithstanding.
Spending typically came with a cap.
Smith took control of the franchise in 2020. In his first year as majority owner, he paid the luxury tax. Soon after, he hired Ainge to oversee basketball operations. The changes to the franchise in the last four years have been many — some subtle, some overt. The changes have been aggressive, many that have worked, some that haven’t — like the rebrand to highlighter yellow jerseys.
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The biggest change, and one that the Smith family was always hesitant to do, has been embracing bottoming out. The Jazz, to be fair, did do this in 2013, and they somewhat did this the year after Malone and Stockton left the organization. But this is the first time the Jazz did this while trading two all-star-level talents in the prime of their respective careers. The Jazz bottomed out last season after the All-Star break. They’ve done the same this season. There isn’t a right or a wrong way to go about winning a title. But Smith has taken some hits on social media this spring while the Jazz went through a period of losing 24 of 27 games. Smith and the front office want a championship. And the way they are going about trying to do so does represent significant change from previous Utah Jazz eras.
If the Arizona Coyotes move to Salt Lake City, they would play at the Delta Center, home to the Utah Jazz. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
How long did it take before Smith put his “stamp” on the team? Did he overhaul the front office right away, or was he a patient owner when he first took over?
It took about a year before major change came about. Some of it was subtle, but then came the substantial change. Front office executive Dennis Lindsey was relieved of duties, with Smith having a central role in that. Quin Snyder resigned as head coach. Ainge was brought on board after leaving the Boston Celtics.
Then came the rebrand. Smith took over the franchise and he waited and took stock of where it was. But when the changes came, they came in droves. What we have is a franchise still very much in transition — at least on the court and in basketball operations. But it’s certainly being modeled after Smith’s liking.
In many ways, Smith is young, brash, not afraid of change, and certainly not reluctant to take chances. It’s how he was able to buy the Jazz from the Miller family, largely without much of a hint. It’s how he was able to relatively swiftly put himself in position to secure an NHL franchise. And it’s how he’s put himself on the potential shortlist for a Major League Baseball franchise, if one were to become available.
How would you describe his approach? Is he a win-at-all-costs guy? A fan-first owner?
Winning is what Smith wants, which is why he brought Ainge on board. To be fair, the two are longtime friends, but Ainge built the Celtics into a champion in 2008, and he was the architect of the current Celtics team that will enter the postseason as title favorites.
Look at the blueprint between the two franchises. Ainge dealt Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, secured a bunch of draft picks, bottomed out the franchise, and built it back to where it was by drafting Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. He’s trying to do the same with the Jazz, with the sole goal of winning a title.
But if you look at Smith, think of a young Mark Cuban. In that sense, Smith wants to have a say in basketball matters. He’s omnipresent courtside at almost every Jazz game. And to his credit, he’s been at almost every Jazz game this spring, when the Jazz haven’t been an easy watch. He’s not all the way Cuban in the sense of making decisions. He leaves that part to Ainge and general manager Justin Zanik. But the overall direction of basketball operations is a conversation he is a part of.
As a younger owner, he keeps the fans in mind and consistently has a presence on social media. He’s been known to give tickets away on X. The highlighter yellow jerseys of the rebrand were scrapped because Smith and his people listened to the fan base, who almost universally hated it. It shows an owner who has a bit of self-awareness, while being as aggressive and maybe even more aggressive as you might expect from a young owner in his first years of running a major franchise.
In addition to owning the Jazz, and his potential acquisition of the Coyotes, Smith owns Real Salt Lake, Utah’s Major League Soccer franchise. This is a person who dropped out of Brigham Young University in order to devote his time to managing Qualtrics, the company that built his fortune.
Smith was aggressive and a guy who took chances to get to where he is. And he’s been aggressive in moving forward since becoming owner of the Jazz.
Smith comes across as a progressive owner, particularly in matters related to social causes. How would you characterize his ownership style in that realm?
Smith has been a champion for social justice, particularly when it comes to matters within the state. When Izzy Tichenor, a 10-year-old bullied Black student from Utah tragically died by suicide, Smith was vocal in support of Tichenor’s family and the need for improved race relations in Utah. In 2021, Smith created the Utah Jazz Scholars Program, which gifted collegiate scholarships to a student of color for every Jazz win that season. The award covered the full undergraduate education for each recipient. It’s obviously one thing to talk about social justice and the need for social justice. It’s another to show action, and Smith has shown action in his time running the Jazz.
(Photo of Ryan Smith: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Earlier this month, 2News Investigates brought you a former inmate’s federal lawsuit alleging Utah Department of Corrections leaders failed to address reports of alleged sexual assault by correctional officers. Now, 2News Investigates examines another key claim in that lawsuit.
MORE: Federal lawsuit alleges Utah prison leaders covered up guards’ sexual assaults on inmates
The lawsuit alleges a mass cross-gender strip-search operation – women being viewed by men was intended to further silence female inmates.
Federal law generally prohibits cross-gender strip searches of female inmates except during emergencies or when conducted by medical personnel. UDC says that during body-search procedures, male correctional officers are not allowed in the immediate area and inmate privacy is maintained. Former inmates say that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Three former inmates agreed to speak with 2News Investigates but asked that their identities not be revealed.
“It was very traumatic.”
According to the lawsuit, on May 13, 2025, UDC carried out a large-scale operation known as a “reset” in women’s housing units at the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) in Salt Lake City.
Wendy: “They call it a reset. What do you call it?”
“A violation.”
“It’s like a rape.”
The lawsuit alleges UDC Deputy Warden Derick Zorn and Warden Sharon D’Amico directed the operation, along with more than a dozen members of the Critical Incident Response Team, or CIRT.
According to the plaintiffs, officers stormed dormitories, shouted profanities, and issued conflicting commands.
The women say and the lawsuit states they were ordered to pack their belongings into totes and change into state-issued uniforms in front of male CIRT officers. They were then marched to the Emerald Building for processing.
“It felt almost like we were at a concentration camp.”
The lawsuit alleges the women were required to undergo body scans and then strip completely naked. Plaintiffs claim they were ordered to lift their breasts, spread their buttocks, and cough while visible to male staff.
Women who were menstruating allegedly were instructed to remove menstrual products in full view of others.
“Just use one hand to remove it. Hold it up in front of you.”
“I felt really small and worthless.”
The lawsuit alleges some women were forced to hold soiled menstrual pads while performing physical maneuvers.
“I just did what I was told. I just wanted to get it over with.”
The plaintiffs also claim they were required to sit on toilets or squat to provide urine samples while completely naked and visible to male officers.
“It was humiliating. It was degrading.”
The lawsuit further alleges cell doors were left open, exposing naked women to other inmates and male staff.
An overhead observation booth with reflective glass overlooked the strip-search area. Plaintiffs say they observed movement inside and believed they were being watched from above.
The lawsuit alleges the female inmates were being watched from above during a mass strip search on May 13, 2025
“I could see in the overhead, the two-way mirror. There were multiple men walking around up there who had direct vision inside those cells.”
The lawsuit alleges Captain Jared Beers and Lieutenant Matthew Coombs were inside the booth and that Deputy Warden Derick Zorn observed women in various states of undress.
“I made eye contact with Officer Arroyo, and I also saw Deputy Zorn.”
“I knew if I could see the male officers, they could see me.”
One former inmate described the experience as state-sanctioned sexual violence.
“When that happens, and you’ve gone through the same kind of thing as a child, it’s very traumatic.”
The lawsuit alleges Warden D’Amico knew male officers were viewing naked female inmates and “ratified, condoned, and failed to stop it.”
An allegation in the lawsuit filed on May 15, 2026
“You’re pretty much a hostage.”
UDC Executive Director Jared Garcia declined repeated requests for an on-camera interview. A letter sent said:
“During the body search process in female living areas, male correctional officers are not allowed in the immediate area, and privacy is maintained. In general, resets are conducted routinely, according to UDC policy and under strict protocols designed to ensure safety while also preserving the privacy and dignity of incarcerated individuals.”
“The manner matters.”
Walter Mason represents the plaintiffs.
He told 2News Investigates, “The law protects inmates from being exposed to members of the opposite sex viewing their naked bodies unless there’s an emergency. Unless there’s what the law calls an exigent circumstance, the prison can take necessary actions to protect safety. There was no emergency. There was no exigency.”
UDC says the reset involved approximately 150 trained staff members and was conducted according to department policy.
UDC’s letter goes on to say:
“Every effort was made to treat belongings with care and document confiscated items appropriately. UDC stands by our methods and policies, which are intended to maintain the highest standards of integrity, safety, and efficiency during the reset process.”
Written response from the Utah Department of Corrections regarding 2News investigations
I asked UDC whether any exigent circumstances existed on May 13, 2025, during the reset operation.
The response:
“No exigent circumstances occurred on May 13, 2025.”
I also requested information about what items were confiscated. UDC said it could not provide a specific list.
Response to questions posed by 2News Investigates to UDC regarding mass strip search and if exigent circumstances existed that day
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and accuses the defendants, all supervisors, of participating in a “coordinated effort to humiliate, mock, and psychologically degrade the plaintiffs … operating with a brazen and intentional disregard for clearly established law, fueled by an institutional custom of impunity.”
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Utah
Utah Royals FC Announce the Addition of Assistant Coach Jessie van den Broek to 2026 Coaching Staff | Utah Royals
HERRIMAN, Utah – (Thursday, June 25, 2026) – URFC announced today the addition of assistant coach Jessie van den Broek to the 2026 technical staff.
The Dutchwoman brings experience from several levels of soccer across Europe. Her coaching journey has steadily progressed through commitment to player development, making her a strong addition to the Royals as the club continues to build for the future.
After gaining coaching experience at various levels, van den Broek made the jump to professional soccer in Germany’s Bundesliga, joining as an assistant coach and second in command to head coach Robert de Pauw and helping to support the club in its sixth place finish during the 2023-24 season. After a year and a half in Germany, she followed de Pauw to England, joining the coaching staff of Aston Villa Women, continuing to expand her experience in one of Europe’s top leagues.
In 2025, van den Broek returned to her native country of the Netherlands to join the coaching staff of HERA United, the country’s first stand-alone women’s soccer club. Her work with HERA United further strengthened her coaching abilities and her dedication to the women’s game. Following the conclusion of the club’s season in May 2026, she has now accepted her first position overseas, joining the Utah Royals, bringing the international experience and diverse coaching background with her.
Away from the pitch, van den Broek attended Radbound University in the Netherlands, earning a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She also earned an A Licence through the Union of European Football Associations in 2025. Her combination of education and coaching credentials, along with her experience in Germany, England and the Netherlands gives Utah Royals FC a coach with high-level experience and a proven commitment to the game of women’s soccer.
The Royals return to NWSL play on July 5 to take on the Chicago Stars at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. MT. The match is available to watch on CBS Sports Network and KMYU.
Edwin Munk Woolley died on June 19, 2026, in a canyoneering accident in Zero Gravity canyon in the San Rafael Swell in Southern Utah. He was born October 28, 1974, in Salt Lake City, Utah to James and Jeanette Woolley. The youngest of four children, he exemplified all the best qualities of the baby in the family: funny, adaptable, sociable, and adventurous.
Growing up, he skied as soon as he could walk, excelled at Zim-Zam, roamed the Federal Heights foothills and threw snowballs at passing cars with his pack of life-long friends. Although his high school attendance record was less than stellar, he was a proud and committed member of the East High Leopard hockey team. Hockey was a huge part of his life and he cherished playing on a late-night team with some of his closest friends.
A life-long Utah enthusiast, he graduated from the University of Utah and lived in the Millcreek area of Salt Lake City. He served a faithful mission in Rome, Itay for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There he gained a love and appreciation for everything Italian, people, culture and especially the food. He built his career in various roles at Goldman Sach’s Salt Lake bank. He married Whitney Scott in the Salt Lake temple in 2006 and they had four children. Eddie’s family was the greatest joy of his life. He was a deeply engaged husband and father. He treasured his wife and cherished his children, supporting their pursuits and encouraging them through times good and bad.
Eddie was an excellent athlete and took full advantage of Utah’s outdoor opportunities. He was an expert skier, water-skier, and mountain biker. He also loved riding dirt bikes and helicopter-skied across the globe; he generally reveled in all things outdoors. He particularly loved introducing his children to all his activities, encouraging them with patience, humor, and occasionally a firm nudge.
He was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Utes, Mammoth and Dallas Cowboys and would follow a variety of professional teams and players, but only those who lived up to his exacting standards. As a devoted hockey fan, he was delighted when Salt Lake acquired a team and had strong opinions on name selection. Some of his favorite times were cheering on the Mammoths with his kids, all of whom he managed to convert into fans.
While he loved all the wild places, Snowbird, Southern Utah, and Hebgen Lake, Montana were favorites. Southern Utah brought adventure and challenge, while Hebgen meant water-skiing, boating, and meaningful time with family and friends. One of Eddie’s greatest passions in life was teaching his kids how to ski at his beloved ski resort, Snowbird. Eddie had a season pass at Snowbird ever since he was four years old.
Eddie had a gift for finding common ground and connection with everyone he met. He gave the good Samaritan a run for his money, always jumping in to help without reservation or complaint. He was up for any challenge, always with a positive, can-do attitude. He found purpose and comfort in the church and served admirably in many callings.
Eddie is survived by his adored wife, Whitney Scott Woolley, his four children, Sadie (17), Spencer (14), Savanna (9), and Lewis (7) Woolley, and his father James Woolley. In addition, his siblings (Sue, Calvin, and Camille), in-laws (Brad and Kathy Scott), nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends are bereft at the loss of his buoyant presence and will always treasure his memory.
Viewings will be held on Friday, June 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Canyon Rim Stake Center, 3051 S. 2900 E., Salt Lake City, Utah 84109. Funeral services will be held at the Canyon Rim Stake Center on Saturday, June 27, at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City, Utah.
A livestream of the funeral services can be accessed via the following link: Zoom Link
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