Could bad deal mean end to Jazz in Utah?

SALT LAKE CITY — The ongoing NBA lockout situation presents a dilemma for the Utah Jazz and their fans.

Everybody wants basketball to be played, not delayed by a labor mess.

But even if it brings pro hoops back sooner than later, an unfavorable collective bargaining resolution for Utah could adversely affect the organization as it tries to maintain a tradition of winning despite market-size challenges.

In fact, one source with intimate knowledge of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies' inner workings speculated that small-market-related economic hardships could force Jazz ownership to place a "For Sale" sign on the franchise. The source told the Deseret News that the Jazz were expected to report losses in the $17 million range for the 2010-11 season.

"If I was a betting man," the source said, "my guess is that the Millers will sell the team within the next five years, unless this CBA changes the formula so that the team can make some money."

Others say the Millers will never sell the Jazz.

The late Larry H. Miller viewed the Jazz as a "community gift" to Utah. The self-made entrepreneur once put it like this, "Selling the Jazz would be like selling Canyonlands."

From his vantage point, RSL owner and pro sports mogul Dave Checketts can't envision the Miller family selling the Jazz. He doesn't view their commitment as conditional.

"I think the Jazz have a tremendous, tremendous fan following. I think teams like that will always exist in the markets they're in," said Checketts, whose resume includes time spent as the Jazz's president and general manager.

"I don't think the Jazz are an endangered species."

Fans can thank NBA commissioner David Stern's league-wide gag order on lockout talk for Jazz CEO Greg Miller's decision to turn down an interview request.

"Based on the circumstances," Jazz spokesman Jonathan Rinehart said, "we respectfully decline to comment on your questions."

Despite his current silence, Miller hasn't shied from emphasizing his intent to keep the Jazz in the family and in Utah. He told a packed EnergySolutions Arena at the 2009-10 season-opener that his family would ensure the Jazz stay in Utah as long as the support remained.

"These fans," he said that night, "are the engine of the Utah Jazz."