"Larry has shown his colors on this. Larry is very committed to this community," Rigby said. "We feel that the Jazz is an important part of enhancing the quality of life in this community, of giving a great product that the community can get around and cheer for. It becomes a diversion for people and their personal challenges."

The Jazz owner also has so much invested in the area in other business projects — from movie theaters, sports merchandise shops, a motorsports mecca, a minor-league baseball club, to multiple automobile dealerships — that bolting is far from his mind.

So even if the Jazz happen to lose money — something they didn't always do back in the John Stockton and Karl Malone days — that huge brand name is an invaluable resource for the rest of Miller's ventures.

Rigby, who is also the president of Miller's Sports Entertainment Group that oversees entities like the Jazz, the Salt Lake Bees, the multiple movie theaters, EnergySolutions Arena and broadcasting properties, admitted the basketball franchise is good for marketing and for goodwill purposes.

"It does give credibility to our company and organizations," Rigby said. "It gives name awareness to Larry's other entities."

That's especially the case, it stands to reason, when the Jazz are winning in the playoffs.

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E-mail: jody@desnews.com