Utah HC signs $900M taxpayer-funded deal to stay in Salt Lake City for 30 years
The Utah Hockey Club signed a $900 million taxpayer-funded deal to stay in Salt Lake City for the next 30 years.
According to a new report, Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah HC, received $900M in public funding to renovate their arena and develop a three-block sports and entertainment district.
Strings were attached to that deal, and now, the Utah HC will need to play all their home games in Utah for the next 30 years, or they'll face a fine from the city. It also confirms that the team should stay in Utah for the next 30 years. Unless something changes, we shouldn't see them relocate, like the Arizona Coyotes did.
Also, if the team wants to play a few games in Europe or take part in outdoor games, they'll need to be the away team to avoid consequences in Utah.
From the Sports Business Journal:
This is a major shift from the Arizona Coyotes. Alex Meruelo never truly had the support of his state and had to let go of his dream of having an NHL team when he couldn't buy the land on which he wanted to build a new arena.
Source: Blade of Steel
SEG close to $900 million deal to keep Utah HC in Salt Lake City for 30 years
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Utah HC made the right call by signing that $900M taxpayer-funded deal to stay in Salt Lake City for the next 30 years? | ||
| Yes | 372 | 72.5 % |
| No | 141 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
