Dennis Haslam is stepping down as president of the Utah Jazz and the Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Group of Companies effective Saturday, it was announced Wednesday at the Zions Bank Basketball Center.

Randy Rigby, senior vice president of sales and broadcasting and chief marketing officer will step in as Haslam's successor. Haslam said he is resigning in order to pursue private business interests and personal goals. He will remain with the Jazz in a consultant role.

"I can't say enough about the Miller Organization," said Haslam, fighting back tears. "It starts at the top with Larry."

When Haslam officially resigns on July 21 it will have been 10 years to the day since he took over as president of the Jazz and LHMSE. Before his role as president, Haslam was lead attorney for Miller for more than 18 years. Haslam and Miller also have been friends since they were toddlers. Haslam said he still plans to attend games, just not as many, and help in any capacity he is asked to as a consultant. Miller made it clear that Haslam will be greatly missed but that Rigby will have full control as the new president.

"Denny has been an integral part of the development of this company and will be sorely missed," said Miller in a news release. "Though he (Haslam) will be visible on occasion, Randy is the guy."

Miller fought back tears as well, when reminiscing about times shared with Haslam and said there is no secretive reason about why Haslam is stepping down. Miller called it a "bittersweet" day, sweet because he knows Haslam is so well prepared for the next step in his life and bitter for the personal reasons that come with saying goodbye to a long-time friend.

"The void is more so on a personal basis," said Miller.

Rigby is in his 21st season with the Jazz organization. Rigby has served 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. He has been responsible for all aspects of Jazz and Bees Broadcasting as well. He is general manager of KJZZ-TV and in July 2005, he successfully negotiated a deal between the Jazz and Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain that will broadcast a record 40 games this upcoming season and will jointly develop with a new regional sports network, FSN Utah.

Haslam said Rigby knows about as much of the organization as anybody and added that he will be a good leader for the company.

"I feel like a rookie that sits at the end of the bench with Jerry Sloan and gets called up to play in the Western Conference Finals," joked Rigby. "It's an honor to step in his (Haslam's) role."

Rigby said he is very excited for the new opportunity, especially overseeing one of the best young NBA teams and the hundreds of hard working employees that are part of the LHMSE team.

As far as Rigby's replacement, Miller said he is not sure what he wants to do. He and Rigby will discuss the matter in the coming days and could make a decision.

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E-mail: nstorey@desnews.com