Sports: building business and community.

• Author: Francom, Sarah Ryther
• Position: Editorial

One of my favorite childhood experiences was attending Jazz games with my dad. Watching the action and cheering with the crowd was thrilling--a time I'll never forget.

Sports play a role in nearly everyone's life, regardless of the game played or the team cheered for. In this issue's cover story, writer Spencer Sutherland goes behind the scenes with the Utah Jazz. He talks with Randy Rigby, president of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment, and with Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, about the team's influential role in Utah's community and business scene. Sutherland also goes one-on-one with Deron Williams, providing a glimpse into the All-Star player's life off the court.

While the Jazz is a staple in Utah's community, it's important to recognize the impact the sports industry as a whole has on the state. I recently spoke with Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission, who shared some surprising stats about the industry.

"If you look at the global world of sports in Utah--including sporting goods, manufacturers, outdoor recreation, hiking, biking, golfing, professional sports, sports events--the industry has about a $6 billion economic impact to the state," Robbins said. "Sometimes people don't view the industry as important to the state's economy, but when the day is done it has a significant impact."

While sports franchises, like the Jazz, and the state's collegiate sports have a heavy presence in Utah, Robbins says the next major player in the states sports industry is...