Latest news with #MikeMaughan
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Did Utah Hockey Club "accidentally" leak new name for 2025-26 season?
In what seems like a slip of the tongue or in this case, a slip of the handle. Utah Hockey Club may have just accidentally revealed the new nickname for their franchise ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With fans eagerly awaiting the team's rebranding, this minor leak has sparked both excitement and speculation about the club's future identity. Is 'Mammoth' the future of Utah Hockey? The Utah Hockey Club has been engaged in a fan-driven voting process, asking supporters to pick from a set of finalists for a new team name. Among the contenders were the Utah Mammoths , Utah Outlaws, and the Utah Hockey Club itself. It seemed like the decision would come down to the wire, with each option presenting a distinct identity for the team. But when the club's official YouTube account underwent a mysterious transformation, it became clear that one name might have already won the battle. Fans quickly noticed that the handle and landing page for Utah Hockey Club's YouTube account had been updated to "@UtahMammoth," a bold indication that the team had already chosen the Mammoth as its new moniker. Within hours, the social media account was deactivated, but not before fueling intense speculation and discussion among fans and pundits alike. The reaction from fans was immediate. Some were thrilled, believing the name exuded power and ruggedness, a fitting tribute to the state's rugged landscape and rich outdoor culture. Others were skeptical, questioning if the name would resonate long-term. But regardless of the opinions, the leak had everyone talking. Utah team keeps fans guessing When asked about the change, Mike Maughan, a key executive with Smith Entertainment Group, which purchased and relocated the franchise from Arizona, remained tight-lipped. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In an interview with ESPN, he commented, "We're fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25–26 NHL season," carefully avoiding confirming or denying the Mammoth name. While the leak hasn't officially been acknowledged by the team, the move has raised a few eyebrows. The Utah Mammoth seems like a logical fit, though some argue that it may have been a hasty decision, with many fans still unsure if this is truly the best choice. Also Read: With the franchise's inaugural season seeing 38 wins and 89 points, despite missing the playoffs, Utah's fans are hoping the new identity will help fuel their playoff push in the coming season. But will "Mammoth" be the name that truly propels them forward? Only time will tell.
Reuters
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Utah HC officials mum after Mammoth mascot leak
April 30 - Utah Hockey Club officials declined to confirm whether the team will become known as the Utah Mammoth after the information was allegedly leaked Tuesday night. According to an ESPN report, the name of the team's official YouTube channel was briefly changed from @UtahHockeyClub to @UtahMammoth. Screenshots taken by fans went viral and the channel was later deactivated. Utah HC just completed its inaugural season in Salt Lake City. Fans at the Delta Center voted this season for a new name for the relocated Arizona Coyotes franchise. Mammoth reportedly was one of three finalists along with Utah Outlaws and the status quo, Utah Hockey Club. "Progress continues on exploring all three of the name options that were chosen as finalists by our fans," Mike Maughan, an executive with team owner Smith Entertainment Group, told ESPN on Wednesday morning. "We're fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25-26 NHL season and look forward to sharing that with our fans when we do." Pressed about the leak, Maughan repeated his earlier comment. "We're fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25-26 NHL season." League sources told ESPN that Utah HC is likely to reveal its new name and logo prior to the 2025 NHL Draft on June 27-28.
Axios
29-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Salt Lake County OKs selling part of Salt Palace Convention Center
The Salt Lake County Council unanimously voted Tuesday to sell a portion of the Salt Palace Convention Center to Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) for $55.4 million. Zoom in: The sale involved approximately 6.5 acres of county-owned land located around 55 South and 300 West. Follow the money: It is expected to improve the Delta Center by doubling the number of events hosted there, which could boost annual sales to more than $400 million by 2034, according to a resolution that included details of the sale. The deal is expected to bring in approximately $4.9 million in property tax revenue annually once it's developed. It will also provide funding to the county to help pay for a $1.5 billion renovation for the convention center. Upgrades will include adding a second ballroom and enhancing meeting and exhibit space. What they're saying: "While this is an amazing investment in our capital city, the impact will ripple deeply across not just the city, but the entire county, state and the region as a whole," SEG executive Mike Maughan told the council ahead of the vote. State of play: The redevelopment aims to connect key downtown destinations, including the Delta Center, convention center, Abravanel Hall, Temple Square, City Creek Center, Eccles Theater and 2034 Winter Games venues. "Linking these assets for visitors and businesses prepares the county to host major national and international events more effectively and generate additional revenue from visitors," per the resolution. The other side: Japantown, as well as the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and the Japanese Church of Christ.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City close to sale of Salt Palace land portion as downtown plans heat up
Salt Lake County leaders are close to deciding whether to sell a large portion of the Salt Palace Convention Center land in a deal that would likely factor into Smith Entertainment Group's 'sports, entertainment, culture and convention' district plans. Salt Lake County Council members will decide at an April 29 public hearing on a proposal to sell about 6.5 acres of land near 55 S. 300 West. They spent over an hour in a closed session Tuesday discussing sensitive details, like the price. County officials offered few details about the proposed sale at Tuesday's meeting. Spokespeople for Salt Lake County and Smith Entertainment Group couldn't confirm exact details but said negotiations are related to a portion of downtown revitalization plans. The listed address is located across the street from the Delta Center in the newly designated Capital City Convention Center Revitalization Zone. Project maps list a "Mid Block" at the existing western edge of the Salt Palace. Mike Maughan, a Smith Entertainment Group executive, also referenced a possible vote on April 15 regarding the "Mid Block" when he spoke about development plans at a Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity meeting to approve the zone on April 4. Smith has previously described a plan to tear into the existing structure for a plaza linking the arena to the rest of the district. County officials say they want to rebuild the convention center by constructing a second ballroom. The "Mid Block" is described as a "mixed-use development" that will "be a pivotal piece in facilitating greater east-west connectivity of the downtown core," according to a Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity document. It's listed as part of the "entertainment" portion of the district and is expected to have ties to 2034 Winter Olympic venues, as well. "Connecting the Salt Palace Convention Center to the Delta Center through the midblock will create a space for residents and visitors to enjoy and create easier connections to multiple Olympic venues," the state report says. It is still unclear what it would look like, as the design is part of ongoing negotiations. Tuesday's decision took place a day after Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson met with Smith Entertainment Group owner Ryan Smith and state leaders, according to the governor's published schedule. Tuesday's update comes a week after Salt Lake City officials finalized the Convention Center Public Infrastructure District. It was decided on days after a state committee approved the Capital City Convention Center Revitalization Zone. They set up a "funding mechanism" for the city and county to pay for projects east of the Delta Center. Each passed, but not without controversy. Major adjustments to the Salt Palace are projected to cost over $1.2 billion, while the renovation of Abravanell Hall and a potential rebuild of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art could tack on another $230 million. Salt Lake City officials said they were only informed about the addition of "Block 67" to the zone just hours before the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Committee voted to approve it on April 4. They requested a small delay to review the impacts of the addition, which added $300 million to the expected project cost. Their concerns boiled over into the April 8 City Council meeting, where the district was approved. "We are much better if we collaborate and work together and communicate together — and not just bring things up at the last moment," said Salt Lake City Councilman Dan Dugan. Meanwhile, Smith Entertainment Group is close to beginning its long-term plan to remodel the Delta Center, making it easier to handle both the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club. Construction is expected to begin soon, as the season has now ended for both teams and comedian Kevin Hart's tour stop on Friday is the last event on the arena's schedule for months. Arena remodeling is expected to be completed in phases over the next three summers. It remains on track to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 NBA and NHL seasons.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City passes $1.8B downtown revitalization funding source amid new concerns
The stage is now set for a massive overhaul of downtown Salt Lake City — but not without a new set of frustrations. Salt Lake City Council members voted Tuesday evening to adopt the Convention Center Public Infrastructure District, which it views as a "funding mechanism" for the rest of the "sports, entertainment, culture and convention district" surrounding the Delta Center that city leaders approved last year. It serves as a centralized area where the 0.5% sales tax increase implemented this year and other tax sources, including sales/use and property tax increments within the Delta Center block and the other blocks tied to the Salt Palace east of the arena, will go to fund projects tied to the project area. The concept was crafted through the passage of SB26 this year. Smith Entertainment Group, which owns the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club, can collect up to $900 million in funds through a state law passed last year. "It's not a perfect tool; it's the one that we've been given, and I think we need to make the best of it — and I think we are doing the best with it at this time," said Salt Lake City Councilman Dan Dugan before the vote. Tuesday's outcome was expected, but it took place after a 90-minute delay created by a closed session following a major development in downtown plans. The district only covers the Delta Center block, but it's part of and will help pay for projects within the much larger Capital City Convention Center Reinvestment Zone that the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Committee approved on Friday. The committee — composed of local and state government representatives — debated whether or not to delay Friday's vote after close to 9 acres at "Block 67" were added to the zone in a late change to its boundaries. Salt Lake City officials requested an additional week to review the change, as it added $300 million to the total project cost, seeking additional time to review the impacts of the addition. The city only learned about the change hours before the vote. However, others on the committee approved it anyway, asserting that it was too early in the project planning for the change to make a difference, plus any delays now could impact Smith Entertainment Group's tight window to complete the bonds needed to begin remodeling the arena. The first phase of construction could begin as early as next week, according to Mike Maughan, an executive of the company. It's expected to be carried out in phases over the next three summers as renovations are made during the teams' offseasons. The team announced last year that it planned to demolish and rebuild the north end of the Delta Center's seating bowl structure, while also adding new retractable fixed seating in the area on top of completing foundational work and other construction in its first phase. The full arena project — desired to accommodate both teams downtown — remains on track to be completed just in time for the 2027-2028 NBA and NHL seasons. City leaders still had a bone to pick about the last-second change on Tuesday, using the closed session to catch up on all the new details learned from new reviews of the plan. Salt Lake City Councilwoman Victoria Petro said "very wealthy developers" bypassed the city, county and Smith Entertainment Group by going to state leaders to get their block added to the zone, with little the city could do to have a say in it. "I'm still concerned that it undermines public trust and exposes the city to long-term financial risk," added Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez, whose district includes downtown. "This is not public sound finance nor is it reflective of the deal we made with constituents." It's unclear yet when the rest of the downtown construction will begin, but Salt Lake County officials said Block 67 — primarily owned by the Ritchie Group — was added to help add revenue to the district that will help finances when the county begins exploring the bond market in the future. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson added that the county will oversee all expenditures to make sure they're used wisely, adding there's still "much more work to come." Despite their new concerns, Salt Lake City leaders say they're "hopeful" about the future. They want to make sure that the new additions don't affect the overall goal the city settled on last year, which includes improving downtown connectivity and repairing what's left of historic Japantown as the city grows. They also hope there aren't more sudden surprises along the way. 'We are much better if we collaborate and work together and communicate together — and not just bring things up at the last moment,' Dugan said. 'If we come together early and we have these good robust discussions, we can actually move forward quicker and in a more positive direction. ... I want to make sure we're still at the table and the city is working with other players in making sure this goes right.'
