What Ryan Smith has said about Utah Jazz

Smith said the Jazz's goal is Utah's first championship and that it requires a bold rebuild rather than incremental steps.

“our goals are win a championship in Utah. It's never happened as well. And I just don't think we're going to tiptoe into that”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 1:48:32

Smith disclosed he had been pursuing the Minnesota Timberwolves before buying the Jazz.

“I mean, there's no secret. I was looking at Minnesota”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 1:58:23

Smith argued Utah is not a small market, citing its young, fast-growing population.

“But we're the fastest growing, youngest demographic in the country”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 2:10:15

Smith said he had long considered Austin Ainge his preferred choice to run the basketball operation.

“You call Austin Ainge. And you tell him to come out, you're going to run it. Cause Austin's an absolute star”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 2:17:06

Smith argued rising franchise prices mean principal owners will now be heavily involved in running teams.

“I think long gone are the days where the principle, or the main principle, is not heavily involved”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 2:30:04