LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz, asked the NHL on Wednesday, Jan. 24, to begin an expansion process to bring a new team to Salt Lake City.

Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) told the 32-team league it could operate a new team in Utah as soon as next season, offering the Jazz's home arena, SEG-owned Delta Center, as an interim rink for such a club.

Smith, a billionaire businessman who also co-owns Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake, and his wife Ashley have been in discussions with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about a Salt Lake City team since 2002.

"The NHL appreciates the interest expressed by Smith Entertainment Group to bring NHL hockey to Utah," the league said in a statement.

"During conversations over the course of the past two years, we have been impressed by Ryan and Ashley Smith's commitment to their community and their passion and vision for Utah, not only as a hockey market, but as a preeminent sports and entertainment destination.

"Utah is a promising market and we look forward to continuing our discussions."

Smith said a club could begin and share space with the Jazz at Delta Center, where five NHL pre-season games have been played, or wait for construction of a new arena in the Salt Lake City area before taking to the ice.

"SEG envisions a near future where the NHL will thrive in Utah, and we are 100% focused on making this happen as soon as possible," Smith said in a statement.

"We're ready to welcome the NHL and are confident that the time and attention being spent by all parties will bring one of the most exciting and dynamic leagues in the world to our community on a permanent basis."

Salt Lake City is bidding to host the 2034 Winter Olympics. The city hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, the second Games where NHL players competed for gold.

"While Delta Center is ready to serve as an interim solution for an NHL team, Utah will need a new arena designed for professional and Olympic hockey," Smith said.

The 32-team NHL added its most recent club, the Seattle Kraken, in 2021 after the reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights joined as an expansion team in 2017.

There has also been interest in recent years for expansion clubs from Houston, Atlanta and Quebec City.