NBA champion Dwyane Wade won three titles with the Miami Heat, and now he’s looking to score a trophy with the Utah Jazz.
Wade bought an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz and joins the league’s youngest ownership group, which is led by 42-year-old Ryan Smith, founder of the software company Qualtrics. Smith and his wife, Ashley, purchased a majority interest in the Jazz in October 2020 for $1.66 billion. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Dwyane is not only a basketball legend, but he is also a great leader, businessman and human being,” Smith, who is the team’s controlling owner, told Sports Illustrated. “As we continue to build on the incredible legacy of the Utah Jazz franchise, we are excited to add Dwyane’s experience and expertise to the equation. Utah is an amazing place, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future of the franchise and the future of this state. Dwyane’s influence will be important to both.”
Wade, 39, who played most of his 16-year career with Miami, also spoke with SI and explained that he’s more than a basketball player. He is bringing his business expertise to the deal as well and wants to inspire inner-city kids to achieve new heights.
“Partnering with Ryan and the Utah Jazz is the perfect fit as we share the same vision and values. Not only is this group focused on building a championship franchise, but they are also committed to using their platform to do good and actively create a more inclusive, equitable world. As a businessman, entrepreneur and investor, I bring a lot to this partnership outside of my basketball experience,” Wade told Sports Illustrated.
“I’m excited to help take the Utah Jazz to the next level. … As a kid from the south side of Chicago, this partnership goes beyond my wildest dreams of playing basketball, and I hope to inspire the next generation of dreamers.”
Wade joins a Utah Jazz ownership group that includes the Smiths, Accel partner and investor Ryan Sweeney, Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and the Miller family, the team’s previous owners.
Take a look at Wade being announced as a new team owner of the Utah Jazz on the following page.
