Delta Center

Delta Center
Delta Center in 2023
Delta Center is located in Utah
Delta Center
Delta Center
Location in Utah
Delta Center is located in the United States
Delta Center
Delta Center
Location in the United States
Former namesDelta Center (1991–2006, 2023–present)
Salt Lake Ice Center (2002)
EnergySolutions Arena (2006–2015)
Vivint Smart Home Arena (2015–2020)
Vivint Arena (2020–2023)
Address301 W. South Temple
LocationSalt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Coordinates40°46′6″N 111°54′4″W / 40.76833°N 111.90111°W / 40.76833; -111.90111
Public transit  701   704  (at Arena)
OwnerRyan Smith
OperatorSmith Entertainment Group
Executive suites56
CapacityBasketball: 18,306[1]

Hockey/Indoor Football: 16,200 (11,131 unobstructed)[2][3] Concerts: 20,000

Theater: Approx. 7,000
Construction
Broke groundMay 22, 1990
OpenedOctober 9, 1991
Construction costUS$93 million
($217 million in 2023 dollars[4])
ArchitectFFKR Architecture[5]
Structural engineerRalph L. Wadsworth Engineering
Services engineerOlsen & Peterson Consulting Engineers, Inc.[6]
General contractorOhbayashi/Sahara
Tenants
Utah Jazz (NBA) 1991–present
Utah Hockey Club (NHL) 2024–present
Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL) 1991–1994
Utah Grizzlies (IHL) 1995–1997
Utah Starzz (WNBA) 1997–2002
Utah Blaze (AFL) 2006–2008, 2011–2013
Website
deltacenter.com

Delta Center is an indoor venue in Salt Lake City. Opened in 1991, the arena is the home of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). The arena has a seating capacity of 18,306 for basketball, up to 16,200 for ice hockey and indoor football, and 20,000 for concerts. It has 56 luxury suites and 668 club seats.

Over the years, it has also hosted other professional sports teams including the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League and the Utah Starzz of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the arena hosted figure skating and short-track speed skating competitions under the name "Salt Lake Ice Center". It is expected to host ice hockey during the 2034 Winter Olympics.

History

[edit]
Interior arena bowl in May 2007, before a Jazz conference finals game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The arena was originally imagined as a 20,000-seat home for the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake Golden Eagles to replace the since-demolished Salt Palace arena, which had 12,616 seats.[7] Under the leadership and private financing of Utah businessman Larry H. Miller, ground was broken on May 22, 1990, and it was completed on October 4, 1991, in time for late-October basketball games, at a cost of $93 million ($208 million in 2023 dollars).[8][4]

The first game played in the arena was a Golden Eagles game against the Peoria Rivermen on October 16, 1991, which the home team lost 4–2.[9] The Eagles had also played the inaugural game in the Salt Palace arena when it opened on October 10, 1969.[10]

The first basketball game played in the arena was a Jazz pre-season loss against the New York Knicks, 101–95.[11] The first regular season game for the Jazz was a 103–95 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics on November 7, 1991.

Exterior view of arena, 2005

In addition to the Utah Jazz and Blaze, the arena was the home of the WNBA's Utah Starzz from 1997 to 2002, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles from 1991 to 1994, and the Utah Grizzlies from 1995 to 1997, both of the International Hockey League. On June 8, 1996, Delta Center hosted what was then the largest crowd in the history of American minor league hockey: 17,381 fans attended Game 4 of the 1996 Turner Cup Finals.[12]

The arena's roof was damaged by severe winds associated with the Salt Lake City Tornado of August 11, 1999, costing $3.757 million to repair.[13]

Dan Roberts serves as the public address announcer for the Jazz. He has been the Jazz's home game announcer since before the arena was built.[14]

On April 15, 2010, over a year after the death of Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, the Jazz basketball court was named in his honor.[15]

Ryan Smith purchased the arena in December 2020 from the Miller family as part of a larger agreement including the Utah Jazz.[16]

On April 18, 2024, it was announced that the Utah Hockey Club, formed from the personnel of the Arizona Coyotes, would play in the arena beginning with the 2024–25 NHL season.[17] The first Utah Hockey Club game at the arena took place on September 23, 2024, 3–2 preseason victory in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings. The first regular season Utah Hockey Club game took place on October 8, 2024, against the Chicago Blackhawks resulting in a 5–2 victory on home ice.

Upgrades and renovations

[edit]
The exterior of the arena in 2009

On September 21, 2016, the Utah Jazz announced plans to renovate and upgrade the arena. The majority of the construction related to the building's renovation, which cost $125 million. The construction began at the conclusion of the 2016–17 Utah Jazz basketball season and was completed during fall 2017.[18]

After the official announcement of the Utah Hockey Club, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that Delta Center will undergo further renovations within the next two seasons which will increase unobstructed seats from 12,000 to 17,000 in hockey configuration.[19] On September 11, 2024, Ryan Miller announced on X that the Utah Jazz logo statue outside the arena was being moved for a new Utah Hockey Club statue outside the arena.[20]

Renaming

[edit]

During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the arena was referred to as the Salt Lake Ice Center due to International Olympic Committee policies barring corporate-sponsored names.[21]

After Delta Air Lines declined to renew their 15-year naming rights contract, which expired on September 30, 2006, the arena's owner, Larry H. Miller, opted to sell naming rights to EnergySolutions, a low-level nuclear waste disposal company headquartered in Salt Lake City.[22][23] The new name was unveiled November 20, prior to the Jazz's home game against the Toronto Raptors. Two stickers were placed on the court, covering up the arena's old name with the new one.[24] The temporary logos were replaced with official logos on the court sometime in December. EnergySolutions naming rights were set to expire in 2016.[25]

Initial fan reactions to the new name were predominantly negative. Early nicknames for the arena included "the Dump", a jab at EnergySolutions' radioactive and hazardous waste disposal operations.[26] Other suggestions included the Glow Dome, Radium Stadium, Isotope, Chernobowl, Jazzmat, Big Bang, Tox Box, Power House, Hot Spot, Plutonium Palace, Fallout Shelter, Melta Center, and Energy Pollutions Arena.[27]

On October 26, 2015, the naming rights were acquired by the locally based home security and automation provider Vivint in a 10-year contract.[28][29]

On January 14, 2023, Delta Air Lines re-purchased the naming rights to the arena, and effective on July 1, the building returned to the Delta Center name for the first time since November 20, 2006.[30][31][32][33]

Recognition

[edit]

Delta Center is well known for being one of the hardest places to play for visiting teams in the NBA. According to an NBA Players Poll taken by Sports Illustrated on February 11, 2008, Delta Center is considered "the most intimidating arena in the NBA" with 20% of the vote made up of 240 current NBA players.[34] Many commentators referred to the arena as the "Decibel Center," a play on the name "Delta Center." During Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, a decibel meter installed at floor level had readings of over 110 decibels, close to the noise generated by a jet takeoff. Also, during the 1997 NBA Finals, NBC's Hannah Storm called Delta Center "one of the loudest places in sports."[35]

Notable events

[edit]

Other sports

[edit]

The arena hosted the 1999 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The figure skating and short track speed skating competitions of the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the arena.[36]

The arena held Utah's first UFC event on August 6, 2016, for UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Caceres.[37] The arena held its first UFC pay-per-view event on August 20, 2022, for UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2.[38] The promotion returned to the arena on July 29, 2023, for UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2.[39] The promotion returned again on October 5, 2024, for UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.[40]

In 1999 and 2000, the Professional Bull Riders hosted an event at the arena for the Bud Light Cup Series tour,[41][42] and would later return in 2024 for an Unleash the Beast Series event.

Concerts

[edit]

In addition to sports, the arena was intended to host large music concerts. On October 24, 1991, Oingo Boingo became the first headlining act to play Delta Center.[43]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2019–20 Season: Team Directories–Utah Jazz" (PDF). 2019–20 Official NBA Guide. NBA Properties, Inc. October 8, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  2. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (April 19, 2024). "Utah NHL team already a hit in new market". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Lewis, Scott (April 19, 2024). "'Thrilled to have you in the game': NHL and SEG make their big announcement from the Delta Center". ABC4.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Energy Solutions Arena (formerly the Delta Center)". ffkr.com. FFKR Architecture. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "Wayne Clark Peterson, P.E." (PDF). utahshrae.org. ASHRAE, Utah Chapter. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  7. ^ Hemphill, Lex (September 29, 1991). "Will Delta Center Pack in the Fans? Ticket Sales Say Yes". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. A6.
  8. ^ Sandomir, Richard (October 21, 1991). "Truss Erection System Scores at Utah Arena". Engineering News-Record vol. 226. p. 16.
  9. ^ Kragthorpe, Kurt (October 17, 1991). "Eagles Disappoint". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. C1.
  10. ^ Rosetta, Dick (October 17, 1991). "Golden Eagles Jazz up Delta Center". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. C1.
  11. ^ Luhm, Steve (October 24, 1991). "Knicks Win to Spoil Jazz Debut". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. D1.
  12. ^ Turner, Tim (June 9, 1996). "Orlando Ousted in OT". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  13. ^ Woolf, Jim (August 10, 2000). "A Real Twister: 1 Year Later: A Whirlwind of Memories; Salt Lake City Recalls Devastating Tornado that Changed Lives Forever". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City.
  14. ^ Fricks, Patti T. (May 11, 1991). "Palace Earsplitting But Not Deafening". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. A1.
  15. ^ "Jazz honor late owner Miller, rename home floor". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Associated Press. April 15, 2010. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  16. ^ "NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur". Associated Press News. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  17. ^ Kaplan, Emily (April 13, 2024). "Sources: Coyotes players told of relocation to Utah". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "$125 Million Arena Transformation to Begin". Utah Jazz. September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  19. ^ "Gary Bettman says there are plans to increase capacity at Delta Center in Utah to 17,000". Sportsnet. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  20. ^ https://x.com/millerjryan/status/1833954083050586469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1835025774069661828%7Ctwgr%5E7bef9715598fcd8baf735d6f550708b6cb01206c%7Ctwcon%5Es4_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ksl.com%2Farticle%2F51132232%2Futah-hc-media-day-blog-has-a-team-name-been-chosen
  21. ^ "Salt Lake Ice Center". Deseret News. October 31, 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  22. ^ "Delta Center's Out, EnergySolutions Arena Is In". The Salt Lake Tribune. November 20, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  23. ^ Cortez, Marjorie (November 21, 2006). "Marjorie Cortez: EnergySolutions Arena? It's a mouthful". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  24. ^ Koreen, Mike (November 21, 2006). "Utah Understands Hoffa". Toronto Sun.
  25. ^ "Sports Facilities Reports" (PDF). leg.wa.gov. Washington State Legislature. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  26. ^ Gorrell, Mike (November 21, 2006). "Arena's new name a winner, Miller says". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  27. ^ Sandomir, Richard (November 29, 2006). "In Utah, the Half-Life of Arena Naming Rights". The New York Times. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  28. ^ Lea, Bill (October 26, 2015). "LHM Sports & Entertainment Introduces Vivint Smart Home Arena for the Utah Jazz". UtahJazz.com. Utah Jazz. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  29. ^ "LHM Sports & Entertainment Introduces Vivint Smart Home Arena for the Utah Jazz: Vivint signs multi-year naming rights agreement for downtown facility". businesswire.com. San Francisco: Berkshire Hathaway. October 26, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  30. ^ Treasure, Angie (January 14, 2023). "The Delta Center Returns to Utah Under New Agreement with Utah Jazz". UtahJazz.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  31. ^ "Utah Jazz to bring back Delta Center as arena sponsor". NBA.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. January 14, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Larsen, Andy (January 14, 2023). "The Delta Center is back: Utah Jazz, airline announce long-term naming rights agreement for downtown arena". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  33. ^ Badenhausen, Kurt (January 14, 2023). "Delta Center Rebounds as Jazz Sign New Naming Rights Deal". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  34. ^ "Si Players Nba Poll". Sports Illustrated. February 11, 2008. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2016 – via web.archive.org.
  35. ^ NBA on NBC Intro – 1997... on YouTube [dead link‍]
  36. ^ Official Report of the XIX Olympic Winter Games (PDF) (Report). Vol. 1. Salt Lake Olympic Committee. pp. 93–4. ISBN 0-9717961-0-6. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  37. ^ Brookhouse, Brent (August 7, 2016). "UFC Fight Night results: Yair Rodriguez scores decision win in dizzying bout". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  38. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (August 20, 2022). "UFC 278 results highlights: Leon Edwards stuns Kamaru Usman with last-minute knockout to claim world title". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  39. ^ Campbell, Brian (July 30, 2023). "UFC 291 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje uses brutal head kick to knock out Dustin Poirier, win BMF belt". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  40. ^ "UFC 307: Pereira vs Rountree Jr. | UFC". www.ufc.com. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  41. ^ "PBR | Professional Bull Riders". Archived from the original on February 21, 1999.
  42. ^ "2000 PBR Bud Light Cup Series". Archived from the original on October 12, 1999.
  43. ^ Butters, Lori (October 24, 1991). "Elfman Makes Delta Center Roll in Rock-Concert Debut". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. D1.
[edit]

Media related to Delta Center at Wikimedia Commons

Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Utah Jazz
1991 – present 		Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
Franchise established
 Home of the
Utah Hockey Club
2024 – present 		Succeeded by
current
Preceded by Host of the
NBA All-Star Game
1993
2023 		Succeeded by
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