SALT LAKE CITY – The NBA's Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Friday of the Utah Jazz to a group led by technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith, ending the Miller family’s 35-year run as owners of the franchise.The deal includes Vivint Arena, the team’s G League affiliate and management of a Triple-A baseball club.
Part of the sales agreement calls for the team to remain in Utah.“Ryan Smith is a forward-thinking, community-minded entrepreneur and business leader who will be a fantastic addition to our league,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.Smith is a cofounder of the Utah-based firm Qualtrics, which was sold to SAP for $8 billion in an all-cash deal finalized last year.He expressed excitement in a statement.