Video Bob Loc: Norfolk, Va

Utah Jazz
Attn: Gail Miller, Owner I Chair
301 W. South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
September 9. 2020
Re: SME Steel Contractors, Inc. Suite - Vivint Smart Home Arena
Dear Ms. Miller:
This letter is sent by the owners and management of SME Steel Contractors, Inc.
("SME). Our company has a long-established record of suppo1i for the Utah Jazz.
Indeed, SME has licensed a full suite to all Utah Jazz games since 1992. Over the 28
years that SME has licensed its suite, our company has paid approximately $6 million in
ticket/licensing fees for Jazz games alone. SME's total expenditures at your arena are at
least $1 million higher than that figure when food, beverage and other non-Jazz events
are considered. Historically, SME has been proud of its affiliation and relationship with
the Utah Jazz. Indeed, several of SME's employees were personally involved in the
fabrication and erection of steel for the venue now known as Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Even for those of us who were not involved in the arena's construction, the Jazz and have
been a source of camaraderie, community pride and top-tier sports entertainment
(regardless of the wins and losses).
Our disappointment and disillusionment with the recent actions of the NBAincluding the owners, coaches and players of the Utah Jazz-are almost beyond
expression. We have been stunned to see the entire Jazz team kneeling during the
playing of our county's national anthem. Like other fans throughout the country, SME
was disappointed that the 20 I 9-20 season was disrupted by the COVID pandemic. That
disappointment pales, however, to the feelings we experienced when NBA games
"restarted" on what appears to be a billboard for the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
The final evidence of NBA disregard for its fans and customers was the recent wildcat
strike engaged in by NBA players-resulting in the frivolous disruption of scheduled
playoff games.
Performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the commencement of sporting
events has been a tradition in this country for nearly I 00 years. Standing quietly and
580 l WEST WELLS PARK ROAD
WEST ..JORDAN, UT 84081 WWW . SME S TEEL . COM
PHONE 801 .280.071 1
FAX 801.280. 3460
respectfully during the anthem is not merely an antiquated or courteous tradition, it is a
way of honoring the many thousands who have protected this country and its unique
freedoms-through their service and sacrifice. Too say the least, it is ironic that
pampered and exceptionally well-paid athletes cavalierly exercise the freedom bought for
them through the courage, and sacrifice of this nation's servicemen and women by
disrespectfully kneeling during the country's anthem. By the same token, it seems odd
and inappropriate for NBA players to adorn their jerseys with names and tributes for
felons and politically-divisive slogans from Black Lives Matter, when true heroes like
Chris Kyle and Pat Tillman go unnoticed and unremarked.
As noted above, our Company's Jazz suite has long been viewed by SME as a
place where our company's employees and guests can join together to cheer on their
favorite teams and enjoy watching exceptionally-gifted athletes compete. The recent
actions of the NBA-including the owners, coaches and players of the Utah Jazz-have
converted a beloved entertainment venue into a forum for dissemination of political
propaganda which is divisive and completely out of step with our company and its
values.
SME assumes that other patrons, both in Salt Lake and elsewhere, may have
similar feelings. NBA franchises, and players, like all others in this country, certainly
have the right to freely express their views. They cannot, however, force paying
customers, to be subjected to their ostentatious acts of disrespect for our country and its
values, without any consequences. Perhaps when the arenas are empty the NBA, its
franchises, and its players will rethink their present course of action. Regardless of how
other patrons react, please be advised that unless and until the NBA and the Utah Jazz put
a stop to all disrespectful actions during the anthem and remove the Black Lives Matter
logos from the arena, SME's suite at the Vivint Smart Home Arena will remain dark and
unused. Moreover, SME will not renew its licensing agreement or make any further
payment for its suite until the NBA and its franchises again offer sports and entertainment
rather than divisive political propaganda.
Thank you for your serious attention to this matter.
Cc: Jim Olson, President
LHM Sports & Utah Jazz

dfn Loc: Mobile, Al.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out. You write as if you were comatose during the '60s. Yes?

fishrmans Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl

I agree with you. My comments on BLM and kneeling for the anthem were removed.

Egghead

It's sad that gifted athletes can't use there platform in a different way at a different time. I totally agree something needs to change and be done. But our National Anthem ???? Come on. As a result of this form of protest, my TV will NEVER again support any team of any kind in any way. To each there own, everyone has there own opinion. This is mine.

MJC Loc: Mckinney Tx 35 miles north of Dallas

Video Bob
Thank you ! I don’t watch pro sports anymore along with egghead. People open your eyes ! The wool must be pretty thick. Trying to turn felons, drug dealers etc. into saints. Can’t think of somebody worthy ? Racism has to stop. To much hating. But do it right !

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

After a while you don't even miss them Egg.

Egghead

Well alot of people won't miss them. Lol. Have you ever tried to sell something there wasn't a market for??? Hmmm. No sale no money, no paycheck. No multi million dollar contract.

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

The CCP can have em.

Video Bob Loc: Norfolk, Va

So sad that other "Gutless Organizations like NFL, NASCAR & others don't follow the path MSE has taken

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Imagine that. Makes us wonder who’s leading THIS show huh?

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

I’m with you Egg. They call it Racism? Exactly what they’re doing.

Video Bob Loc: Norfolk, Va

Don't know if I'm allowed to post it here on the FS or not but have a video of Bill O Rilly revealing the objective of the BLM along with who's financing them & where the money is going to

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

Only watch the KC Chiefs Chiefs owner to team anyone who next during the National anthem while on his time would no longer work for him coaches included

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

should be nelt

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

All them high paid athletes think they’re winners but as far as I’m concerned they are nothing more than disrespectful losers and none of them deserves a paycheck!