Apparently Ryan Smith is part of the reason that this UFC ppv event is coming to SLC.
UFC president Dana White and Utah Jazz/Vivint Arena owner Ryan Smith said the world-famous fight promotion decided to bring its big-time UFC 278 fight card to Utah because Salt Lake City has arrived as a destination attraction.
www.sltrib.com
But it wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon, in a news conference staged in the Legends Club room at the Viv, that Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and UFC president Dana White finally explained the why.
Specifically, why would the UFC — arguably the most popular combat sports promotion in the world — bring a major pay-per-view fight card featuring arguably its most talented performer to Salt Lake City of all places?
The energetic White, playing the dual roles of showman and salesman, said it was simple: the Las Vegas-headquartered organization now takes its show on the road, and Utah’s growth warranted an event.
“If any of you know at all how I operate, you know I like destinations — I like places where people want to travel, great hotels, great restaurants, shopping, flights; and much like the UFC,
this place is on fire right now,” White said. “It’s continuing to grow, it’s booming, and becoming one of the better global destinations in the world.”
“It’s
that place now. Listen, Salt Lake City is on the map. I know you guys have this chip on your shoulder thinking this place hasn’t arrived yet. You’ve arrived,” White said. “Believe me, Salt Lake City has arrived. This is a destination.”
Smith, who upon
purchasing the NBA’s Jazz franchise from the Miller family in October 2020 said that part of his mission going forward would be to re-shape national perceptions of Salt Lake and Utah, was thrilled to see a sports promotion with a worldwide footprint choose to bring an event not just to the arena that he owns, but to the place that he calls home.
“Salt Lake City is not a flyover city, and Utah is not a flyover state,” he said. “That’s manifesting through concert tours, that’s manifesting through events like this. It’s becoming a destination.”
“It is the best live sporting event you will ever see,” White enthusiastically bragged, before turning to Smith, giving him a consoling pat on the shoulder, and facetiously adding, “Sorry, brother!
“… I guarantee you it will be the greatest sporting event that you have ever seen live,” he added, pausing for comedic effect. “The Utah Jazz [are number] two.”
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2022/06/23/project-veritas-posed
