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 p***e 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 C***D p******c. That
disappointment pales, however, to the feelings we experienced when NBA games
"restarted" on what appears to be a billboard for the "Black L***s M****r" 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-d******e slogans from Black L***s M****r, 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 d******e 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 L***s M****r
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 d******e political propaganda.
Thank you for your serious attention to this matter.
Cc: Jim Olson, President
LHM Sports & Utah Jazz