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SALT LAKE CITY \u2013<\/em> Ryan Smith wants Utahns to have a better experience in downtown Salt Lake City, especially fans attending Jazz and Mammoth games.<\/p>\n At the Jazz\u2019s media day on Monday, the chairman and CEO of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) said he was looking to improve game nights.<\/p>\n Related: Keyonte George Has New Appreciation For Jazz In Year Three<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Smith addressed the issue amid ongoing plans to rebuild downtown Salt Lake City around Delta Center in the coming years.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you think about our games right now, it\u2019s very much, hey, rolling at six o\u2019clock, park your car, hurry, get in, hurry, go,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n Instead, the governor of the two teams would like to provide fans with a more well-rounded experience before and after games by developing a sports, entertainment, culture, and convention center district.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will provide an entree from the arena out towards the east, where people can gather,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWe hope [to host] Olympic gold medal ceremonies there.\u201d<\/p>\n The plans involve major reconstruction of the Salt Palace Convention Center, including opening a passageway between the City Creek Mall and Delta Center.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you ever just sit out there and watch the curation of traffic, especially for walking in downtown Salt Lake, it\u2019s not what you would do if you were starting over,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnd so the ability to really punch a hole, so you\u2019re sitting in Nordstrom and be able to see Delta Center is very special when you think about a new convention center.\u201d<\/p>\n SEG has already teamed with Live Nation on plans to build a 6,000-person concert venue in the new district, and hopes to attract more companies to the area.<\/p>\n Delta Center is going to look a little different for Jazz & Mammoth games this season.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you can expect \u2b07\ufe0fhttps:\/\/t.co\/zlg9n5oYIo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cOur job is to figure out also what brands we can get downtown,\u201d Smith added. \u201cWe brought Delta downtown. We\u2019ve now brought Live Nation downtown. We need brands to bet on our downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n Demolition in the area is expected to begin in 2027. The estimated cost for the project is $1.4 billion.<\/p>\n Are you on Threads yet? Let\u2019s connect, give us a follow\u00a0<\/b>@kslsports<\/a><\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah\u2019s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>97.5 The KSL Sports Zone<\/a><\/em>. Find Ben on Twitter at<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>@BensHoops,<\/a><\/em>\u00a0on Instagram<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>@BensHoops,<\/a>\u00a0or on\u00a0BlueSky<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nRyan Smith Wants Better Curation Around Games<\/h2>\n
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