“Whenever I feel like I’m getting too far away from where I need to be, I think about my sons and the legacy I have to leave for them – and it always brings me back to reality.” This is how Dwyane Wade stays grounded as he navigates life beyond basketball. Iconic is how one can describe his career in the NBA. His career wasn’t just about winning, but also a story of resilience, determination, and triumph.

Back in 2003, the world of hoops saw a new powerhouse when the Marquette’s best hooper was drafted by the Miami Heat. From the moment he stepped on the court, Wade’s presence was undeniable. He led the Heat to their first NBA title in 2006, earning Finals MVP after a historic performance that seemed almost scripted for greatness.

Who could forget that Game 3 against Dallas, when Wade dropped 42 points in a comeback win? However, his loyalty to Miami earned him a permanent place in Heat history, when they retired his No. 3 jersey. And in 2024, they unveiled a statue in front of the Kaseya Center—an honor that immortalizes his legacy. But, do you know this 3x NBA champion also owns a stake in the Utah Jazz?

What percent of the Utah Jazz does Dwyane Wade own? Who are the other owners of the franchise?

Wade always wanted to have some ownership stake in his beloved Heat, but he was not prepared to commit at the time, according to Heat’s owner Micky Arison. However, he didn’t stop there. In April 2021, he went to purchase some undisclosed minority ownership stake in the Utah Jazz.  Though the exact percentage of Dwyane Wade’s stake remains undisclosed, it’s known to be more than one percent, as NBA rules mandate a minimum one-percent stake for ownership. Interestingly, owning part of an NBA team was a long-time dream for Wade, one that he fulfilled by joining the Utah Jazz’s ownership group in 2021.

It was Wade’s dream to own a team. Once he said that legends like Shaq, MJ, and Grant Hill inspire him. “This goes way beyond the dream. I had to just play basketball in the NBA. I’ve seen Shaq do it in Sacramento. I’ve seen Grant Hill do it in Atlanta. I’ve seen Jordan do it in Charlotte.” However, he isn’t the only owner of the franchise.

With majority stakes, Ryan Smith has owned Jazz since 2020, as he purchased a majority stake from the Miller family for $1.66 billion. The following year, Wade joined the ownership group, further solidifying their bond. Wade shared a similar vision with Smith, one of inclusivity and building a championship team. When he joined the team, Smith welcomed him by saying, “Dwyane is not only a basketball legend, he is also a great leader, businessman, and human being. As we continue to build on the incredible legacy of the Utah Jazz franchise, we are excited to add Dwyane’s experience and expertise to the equation. Utah is an amazing place and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future of the franchise and the future of this state. Dwyane’s influence will be important to both.” Wade once said. But who is Smith?

Smith, a billionaire businessman, was already making waves with his company Qualtrics. He also co-founded the experience management giant, which was eventually sold to SAP for $8 billion. In 2016, he was also recognized as one of the top 40 young executives in the world by Fortune magazine. And in the NBA, at the age of 46, he is one of the youngest owners. Apart from his success in the business world, and with Jazz, he also owns Real Salt Lake in the MLS. It was after Wade, that Jazz made a huge impact.

Did Utah Jazz’s valuation rise by $2 billion after Dwyane Wade joined as an owner?

If there is one word for this partnership would be strategic. Wade’s decision to join the Utah Jazz ownership group has paid off. Here’s how when he became a minority owner when the Jazz in 2021 it was valued at $1.75 billion. Fast forward to today, and the team’s valuation has surged to $3.46 billion. How did this happen so quickly?

Wade’s partnership with Smith proved to be a game-changer. “Partnering with Ryan and the Utah Jazz is the perfect fit as we share the same vision and values. Not only is this group focused on building a championship franchise, but they are also committed to using their platform to do good and actively create a more inclusive, equitable world. We share a lot of the same goals and are trying to go to the same places in life.”

Two years after joining the Utah Jazz ownership, Dwyane Wade reflected on the move, sharing that he saw an opportunity to build not just a championship-winning franchise but also one with a lasting positive impact on society. Who would have guessed that an unexpected meeting with Jazz owner Ryan Smith on a golf course in 2019 would lead to such a transformative business partnership? This investment has also boosted Wade’s net worth, reportedly reaching $170 million as of 2024. But one question remains: was joining the Jazz the right choice for Wade? The $2 billion increase in the team’s valuation certainly suggests it was.