Haslam Steps Down as President of the Utah Jazz

Randy Rigby named as successor.

After 10 years, Dennis Haslam is stepping down as President of the Utah Jazz and the Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Group of Companies. Photo courtesy: Utah Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller has announced that Dennis Haslam is stepping down as President of the Utah Jazz and the Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Group of Companies (LHMSE).

Haslam has held the position for the past 10 years.

Randy Rigby, Senior Vice President of Sales & Broadcasting, Chief Marketing Officer has been named as Haslam’s successor.

“Denny has been an integral part of the development of this company and will be sorely missed,” said Miller. “Not only has he shaped the Sports & Entertainment Group of Companies into the successful businesses they are today, he has also branded the division and established it as a valuable partner in our community. I appreciate what Denny has done for us and fully support his desire to pursue other interests at this point in his career.”

Prior to joining LHMSE, Haslam was lead attorney for Jazz owner Larry H. Miller for more than 18 years handling mergers, acquisitions and corporate matters.

During his tenure he created the legal structure for all of the primary properties in the sports and entertainment division including the Utah Jazz, The EnergySolutions Arena, Fanzz retail apparel stores, the Salt Lake Bees, All-Star Catering, the Megaplex Theatres, The Mayan, Jordan Commons, KJZZ-TV and LHM Advertising.

In addition to developing the companies, Haslam set the strategic goals for the Jazz as well as analyzed future growth opportunities for LHMSE.

On a day-to-day basis, he led the senior management team responsible for overseeing the various properties.

“I have known Larry personally for more than 50 years,” said Haslam. “I have a great deal of respect for his business acumen and have welcomed the challenge of helping to build the sports and entertainment division of this company. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the group as a consultant while pursing outside interests.”

Randy Rigby, in his 21st season with the Utah Jazz organization, oversees the sales and marketing of the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment Group of Companies.

He also serves as executive director of the Jazz 100 Club, an exclusive private group made up of local area leaders and business people with an interest in the success of the Jazz.

As senior vice president of broadcasting, Rigby is responsible for all aspects of Jazz and Bees broadcasting and productions.

These include TV and cable scheduling, the Jazz Radio Network, all Jazz programming, Jazz Productions, broadcast talent, broadcasting personnel and the negotiations of all broadcasting contracts. He also is general manager of KJZZ-TV.

In July 2005, Rigby successfully negotiated a deal between the Jazz and Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain to have FSN broadcast a record 40 Jazz games each season and jointly develop with Fox Sports the new regional sports network, FSN Utah.

“I am excited to take the reins of a well-established group of companies,” said Rigby. “Denny leaves a valuable legacy and has been terrific to work with these past 10 years. Having worked so closely with him to accomplish the things we have, I am confident that I can step into the position and continue to move the sports and entertainment division forward.”

Haslam will leave his full-time position at the company later this week and stay on as a consultant in the future.

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