Los Angeles • Media reports from the 1993 All-Star Game quoted NBA officials at the time who said they would love an encore in Salt Lake City some day.
It’s been 25 years, and there still has been no encore. But there could be in a few more years.
The Utah Jazz first announced their intention to put in another All-Star bid next month, and team officials are planning on finalizing their bid for either the 2022 or 2023 All-Star Game next week and submitting it the week after.
In an interview with The Tribune, Jazz team president Steve Starks said there’s been a lot of enthusiasm and interest from around the city and state since the organization announced their intentions. The mayor’s office, the governor’s office, Visit Salt Lake, the chamber of commerce and other critical movers and shakers in Salt Lake City have rallied together to try to get the NBA’s premier event back in Utah.
The bid is part documentation, part presentation. Starks says the Jazz have prepared video and digital elements to present to commissioner Adam Silver. They plan to highlight the renovated Vivint Smart Home Arena, infrastructure improvements in Utah, business and entertainment partnership opportunities and more. The events would be located in the arena, the Salt Palace and the Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus.
One of the biggest problems in Utah’s last All-Star bid — hotel rooms — should not be an issue this time around, Starks said.
Furthermore, Starks said, he believes that the Miller family has earned special consideration from the league for their investment in their franchise. In the last few years, the Miller Group has done $125 million in renovations to the arena, overhauled the practice facility and created a trust to ensure the Jazz stay in Utah.
Greg Miller, son of owner Gail Miller and Jazz representative to the NBA Board of Governors, said he has only fond memories of the 1993 All-Star Game. He hopes one in four or five years could be just as much of a success.
“I’m really proud of Steve for taking the initiative for putting the organization in a position to be considered for that,” he said. “I think it’s consistent with what we try to do as a family, not just to provide quality entertainment, but to do things for our community. I think bringing an NBA All-Star Game to Utah would be incredible.”
