An unlikely lightning rod in the Utah-BYU rivalry? Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith
In a new world order of college athletics, it‘s the Cougars ’ billionaire alum who is drawing some Ute fans’ ire.As a loyal University of Utah supporter, Maisch was used to seeing the BYU players who earned the ire of Ute fans on rivalry weeks. There was wide receiver Austin Collie . Even famed BYU coach LaVell Edwards came into Utah’s crosshairs from time to time for his dislike of the team up north.
“As an economist, I have no idea . But as a person looking around, it certainly makes sense,” Maisch said with a laugh. It was heavily rumored that Smith had his hand in the hire. An NBA owner himself, with BYU ties, how else would the Cougars get such a prospect to lead their program?People murmured that Smith had written Young a blank check to go out and turn BYU into a mini G League roster.
To upset Ute fans, it seems Smith is having taxpayers help build his fortune — and then turning around and using it to help beat Utah and make BYU athletics into a juggernaut. “It’s human nature, honestly, for your neighbors to think the worst,” said Ben Criddle, the drive-time radio host on ESPN’s main Provo station. “‘Oh, what are they doing? What’s their angle?’ So Utah fans are going to be already on alert as it relates to Ryan Smith, knowing that he is a BYU alum.”
Lon Henderson, a board member on the collective, added, “Ryan is getting a lot of the spotlight, and we’re grateful for things that Ryan does. He would just love the spotlight to be less Ryan Smith.” BYU basketball coach Mark Pope joins Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith for the Jazz game against the Nets in Salt Lake City Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.
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