Dwyane Wade joins the list of NBA team owners.
The Utah Jazz announced Friday that the league’s 13-time All-Star will join the youngest group of NBA homeowners.
The group is led by tech entrepreneur Ryan Smith, who with his wife, Ashley, acquired a majority stake in Jazz in late 2020.
Wade and Smith have known each other for years and had talked about working together on various roles.
“Dwyane is not only a basketball legend, but he is also a great leader, entrepreneur and human being,” Smith said in a statement. “As we continue to contribute to the incredible legacy of the Utah Jazz franchise, we’re excited to add Dwyane’s experience and knowledge to the equation. Utah is an amazing place and I couldn’t feel it anymore. excited about the future of the franchise and the future of this state. Dwyane’s influence will be important to both of us. “
Wade played 16 NBA seasons with Miami, Chicago and Cleveland before retiring at the end of the 2018-19 season. He won three league titles and his No. 3 pick was withdrawn by the Heat last month.
“Partnering with Ryan and the Utah Jazz is the perfect footwear as they share the same vision and values,” Wade noted. “This group is not only determined to build a championship franchise, but is also committed to using its platform to do good and actively create a more inclusive and equitable world. We share many of the same goals and try to lead. us in the same places in life. “
Wade talked about joining the NBA owners in the final seasons of his career and in 2019 said he wanted to discuss the possibility of joining the group at the front of the Heat. The two sides held talks later this year, without reaching an agreement, and it is unknown whether talks resumed.