Delta Center
Delta Center is an indoor venue in Salt Lake City, Utah. Opened in 1991, the arena serves as the home for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over the years, it has also hosted other professional sports teams including the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League and the Utah Starzz of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). With a seating capacity of 18,306 for basketball, 14,000 for ice hockey and indoor football, and 20,000 for concerts, the arena offers space for many kinds of events. It has 56 luxury suites and 668 club seats. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the arena hosted figure skating and short-track speed skating competitions under the name "Salt Lake Ice Center".
 Logo since 2023 | |
 The arena in 2023 | |
  Delta Center Location in Utah  Delta Center Location in the United States | |
| Former names | Salt Lake Ice Center (2002) EnergySolutions Arena (2006–2015) Vivint Smart Home Arena (2015–2020) Vivint Arena (2020–2023) |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 W. South Temple |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Coordinates | 40°46′6″N 111°54′4″W |
| Public transit |  701 704 (at Arena) |
| Owner | Ryan Smith |
| Operator | Smith Entertainment Group |
| Executive suites | 56 |
| Capacity | 18,306 (basketball)[1]
14,000 (hockey and indoor football) 20,000 (concerts) Approx. 7,000 (theater) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 22, 1990 |
| Opened | October 9, 1991 |
| Construction cost | US$93 million ($208 million in 2022 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | FFKR Architecture[3] |
| Structural engineer | Ralph L. Wadsworth Engineering |
| Services engineer | Olsen & Peterson Consulting Engineers, Inc.[4] |
| General contractor | Ohbayashi/Sahara |
| Tenants | |
| Utah Jazz (NBA) (1991–present) Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL) (1991–1994) Utah Grizzlies (IHL) (1995–1997) Utah Starzz (WNBA) (1997–2002) Utah Blaze (AFL) (2006–2008, 2011–2013) | |
History
The arena was originally imagined as a 20,000-seat home for the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake Golden Eagles to replace the since-demolished Salt Palace arena, which had 12,616 seats.[5] Under the leadership and private financing of Utah businessman Larry H. Miller, ground was broken on May 22, 1990, and it was completed on October 4, 1991, in time for late-October basketball games, at a cost of $93 million ($200 million in 2022 dollars).[6][2]
The first game played in the arena was a Golden Eagles match against the Peoria Rivermen on October 16, 1991, which the home team lost 4–2.[7] The Eagles had also played the inaugural game in the Salt Palace arena when it opened on October 10, 1969.[8]
The first basketball game played in the arena was a Jazz pre-season loss against Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks, 101–95.[9]
In addition to the Utah Jazz and Blaze, the arena has also been the home of the WNBA's Utah Starzz from 1997 to 2002, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles from 1991 to 1994, and the Utah Grizzlies from 1995 to 1997, both of the International Hockey League. Notably, on June 8, 1996, the Delta Center hosted what was then the largest crowd in the history of American minor league hockey: 17,381 fans attended Game 4 of the 1996 Turner Cup Finals.[10]
The arena's roof was damaged by severe winds associated with the Salt Lake City Tornado of August 11, 1999, costing $3.757 million to repair.[11]
Dan Roberts serves as the public address announcer for the Jazz. He has been the Jazz's home game announcer since before the arena was built.[12]
On April 15, 2010, over a year after the death of Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, the Jazz basketball court was named in his honor.[13]
In December 2020, Ryan Smith purchased Vivint Arena from the Miller family as part of a larger agreement including the Utah Jazz.[14]
Upgrades and renovations
On September 21, 2016, the Utah Jazz announced plans to renovate and upgrade the Arena. The majority of the construction related to the building's renovation, which cost $125 million. The construction began at the conclusion of the 2016–17 Utah Jazz basketball season and was completed during the Fall of 2017.[15]
Renaming
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the arena was referred to as the Salt Lake Ice Center due to International Olympic Committee policies barring corporate sponsorships.[16]
After Delta Air Lines declined to renew their 15-year naming rights contract, which expired on September 30, 2006, the arena's owner, Larry H. Miller, opted to sell naming rights to EnergySolutions, a low-level nuclear waste disposal company headquartered in Salt Lake City.[17][18] The new name was unveiled November 20, prior to the Jazz home game against the Toronto Raptors. Two stickers were placed on the court, covering up the arena's old name with the new one.[19] The temporary logos were replaced with official logos on the court sometime in December. EnergySolutions naming rights were set to expire in 2016.[20]
Initial fan reactions to the new name were predominantly negative. Early nicknames for the arena included "the Dump," a jab at EnergySolutions' radioactive and hazardous waste disposal operations.[21] Other suggestions included the Glow Dome, Radium Stadium, Isotope, Chernobowl, Jazzmat, Big Bang, Tox Box, Power House, Hot Spot, Plutonium Palace, Fallout Shelter, Melta Center, and Energy Pollutions Arena.[22]
On October 26, 2015, the naming rights were acquired by the locally based home security and automation provider Vivint in a 10-year contract.[23][24]
On January 14, 2023, Delta Air Lines re-purchased the naming rights to the arena, and effective on July 1, the building returned to the Delta Center name for the first time since November 20, 2006.[25][26][27][28]
Recognition
Delta Center is well known for being one of the hardest places to play for visiting teams in the NBA. According to an NBA Players Poll taken by Sports Illustrated on February 11, 2008, the Delta Center is considered "the most intimidating arena in the NBA" with 20% of the vote made up of 240 current NBA players.[29] Many commentators referred to the arena as the "Decibel Center," a play on the name "Delta Center." During Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, a decibel meter installed at floor level had readings of over 110 decibels, close to the noise generated by a jet takeoff. Also, during the 1997 NBA Finals, NBC's Hannah Storm called the then-named Delta Center "one of the loudest places in sports."[30]
Notable events
Other sports
The arena hosted the 1999 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The figure skating and short track speed skating competitions of the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the arena.[31]
The arena held Utah's first UFC event on August 6, 2016, for UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Caceres.[32] The arena held its first UFC pay-per-view event on August 20, 2022, for UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2.[33] The promotion returned to the arena on July 29, 2023 for UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2.[34]
Beginning in 2021, the arena began hosting Frozen Fury, a National Hockey League preseason series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights.[35]
Concerts
In addition to sports, the arena was intended to host large music concerts. On October 24, 1991, Oingo Boingo became the first headlining act to play the Delta Center.[36]
References
- "2019–20 Season: Team Directories–Utah Jazz" (PDF). 2019–20 Official NBA Guide. NBA Properties, Inc. October 8, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- "Energy Solutions Arena (formerly the Delta Center)". ffkr.com. FFKR Architecture. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- "Wayne Clark Peterson, P.E." (PDF). utahshrae.org. ASHRAE, Utah Chapter. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Hemphill, Lex (September 29, 1991). "Will Delta Center Pack in the Fans? Ticket Sales Say Yes". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. A6.
- Sandomir, Richard (October 21, 1991). "Truss Erection System Scores at Utah Arena". Engineering News-Record vol. 226. p. 16.
- Kragthorpe, Kurt (October 17, 1991). "Eagles Disappoint". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. C1.
- Rosetta, Dick (October 17, 1991). "Golden Eagles Jazz up Delta Center". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. C1.
- Luhm, Steve (October 24, 1991). "Knicks Win to Spoil Jazz Debut". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. D1.
- Turner, Tim (June 9, 1996). "Orlando Ousted in OT". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Woolf, Jim (August 10, 2000). "A Real Twister: 1 Year Later: A Whirlwind of Memories; Salt Lake City Recalls Devastating Tornado that Changed Lives Forever". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City.
- Fricks, Patti T. (May 11, 1991). "Palace Earsplitting But Not Deafening". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. A1.
- "Jazz honor late owner Miller, rename home floor". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Associated Press. April 15, 2010. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- "NBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneur". Associated Press News. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- "$125 Million Arena Transformation to Begin". Utah Jazz. September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
- "Salt Lake Ice Center". Deseret News. October 31, 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- "Delta Center's Out, EnergySolutions Arena Is In". The Salt Lake Tribune. November 20, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Cortez, Marjorie (November 21, 2006). "Marjorie Cortez: EnergySolutions Arena? It's a mouthful". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Koreen, Mike (November 21, 2006). "Utah Understands Hoffa". Toronto Sun.
- "Sports Facilities Reports" (PDF). leg.wa.gov. Washington State Legislature. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Gorrell, Mike (November 21, 2006). "Arena's new name a winner, Miller says". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Sandomir, Richard (November 29, 2006). "In Utah, the Half-Life of Arena Naming Rights". The New York Times. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Lea, Bill (October 26, 2015). "LHM Sports & Entertainment Introduces Vivint Smart Home Arena for the Utah Jazz". UtahJazz.com. Utah Jazz. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- "LHM Sports & Entertainment Introduces Vivint Smart Home Arena for the Utah Jazz: Vivint signs multi-year naming rights agreement for downtown facility". businesswire.com. San Francisco: Berkshire Hathaway. October 26, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Treasure, Angie (January 14, 2023). "The Delta Center Returns to Utah Under New Agreement with Utah Jazz". UtahJazz.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- "Utah Jazz to bring back Delta Center as arena sponsor". NBA.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. January 14, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- Larsen, Andy (January 14, 2023). "The Delta Center is back: Utah Jazz, airline announce long-term naming rights agreement for downtown arena". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- Badenhausen, Kurt (January 14, 2023). "Delta Center Rebounds as Jazz Sign New Naming Rights Deal". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- "Si Players Nba Poll". Sports Illustrated. February 11, 2008. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2016 – via web.archive.org.
- NBA on NBC Intro – 1997... on YouTube
- Official Report of the XIX Olympic Winter Games (PDF) (Report). Vol. 1. Salt Lake Olympic Committee. pp. 93–4. ISBN 0-9717961-0-6. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- Brookhouse, Brent (August 7, 2016). "UFC Fight Night results: Yair Rodriguez scores decision win in dizzying bout". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- Mahjouri, Shakiel (August 20, 2022). "UFC 278 results highlights: Leon Edwards stuns Kamaru Usman with last-minute knockout to claim world title". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- Campbell, Brian (July 30, 2023). "UFC 291 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje uses brutal head kick to knock out Dustin Poirier, win BMF belt". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- "LA Kings to Play Frozen Fury Preseason Game in Salt Lake City". NHL.com. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- Butters, Lori (October 24, 1991). "Elfman Makes Delta Center Roll in Rock-Concert Debut". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. D1.
- "spfc.org/tours/date.html?tour_id=490". www.spfc.org. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- "DMBAlmanac.com²". dmbalmanac.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- "DMBAlmanac.com²". dmbalmanac.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- Hiatt, Brian (July 31, 2001). "A.J. Needs More Time, Backstreet Boys Delay Return". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on August 2, 2001. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Vol. 124, no. 1. New York. January 7, 2012. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- "Hannah Montana adds second Salt Lake tour date". Deseret News. October 19, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- Iwasaki, Scott (November 23, 2008). "Coldplay keeps crowd guessing". Deseret News. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
- Iwasaki, Scott (October 1, 2009). "Sickly Cyrus still entertains". Deseret News. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- Vena, Jocelyn (October 1, 2009). "Miley Cyrus Stricken With Strep During Wonder World Tour". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
- "Salt Lake City concert rescheduled". Elton John. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- Iwasaki, Scott (July 17, 2010). "Carole King, James Taylor enthrall Salt Lake crowd with string of their hits". deseretnews.com. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
- "Pink". thetruthaboutlovetour.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- "Garth Brooks breaks his own record for EnergySolutions Arena ticket sales". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- "Review: Smashing Pumpkins mystify at Vivint Arena". heraldextra.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- "Eric Woodyard: Rap star J. Cole's Salt Lake stop showed evolution of an artist".
- Young, Alex (January 14, 2019). "Ariana Grande adjusts 2019 tour to accommodate Coachella appearance". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
External links
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Home of the Utah Jazz 1991 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by | Host of the NBA All-Star Game 1993 2023 |
Succeeded by |
| 20th century |
|  |
|---|---|---|
| 21st century |
| |
| 20th century |
|  |
|---|---|---|
| 21st century | ||