There are multiple Jazz-related anniversaries on the calendar this week. Jazziversaries, if you will. Chief among them was the anniversary of the team’s arrival in Utah. June 8 (Wednesday) was the same day the New Orleans Jazz officially became the Utah Jazz in 1979.
In other words, the Utah Jazz are 37 years old. Time to buy a vintage Camaro and get a 19-year-old girlfriend before they hit the big four-oh.
With the team facing dwindling attendance and financial difficulties as the 70s reached their conclusion, founding owner Sam Battistone decided to move the team to Salt Lake City.