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Former Miami Heat All-Star Dwyane Wade is purchasing an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz, and Miami’s owner isn’t too happy about it. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN broke the news this morning.
Three-time NBA champion @DwyaneWade has purchased an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz, joining majority owner and governor @RyanQualtrics with plans to take an active role in the franchise and region. Story on ESPN: https://t.co/ZxtZe8uLey
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2021
"This goes way beyond the dream I had to just play basketball in the NBA," Wade tells ESPN. "...If this partnership is going to be anything like my relationship is with Ryan (Smith), there are going to be a lot of things that I'll want to be involved in." https://t.co/h1SnNJM2wz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2021
Wade played for the Heat from the time they drafted him 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft to his retirement in 2019, with a season-and-a-half interlude with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star and his name has become synonymous with the Heat franchise.
This perhaps explains Heat owner Micky Arison’s consternation at the news, also expressed on Twitter.
I want to congratulate Dwyane on his recent announcement. We had discussed having him join our ownership group after his retirement but he was not prepared to commmit at the time. Of course I am disappointed that he didn’t reconsider. 1/2
— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) April 16, 2021
Having said that I wish him good luck and much success with the Jazz. To me Dwyane will always be a HEAT lifer. 2/2
— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) April 16, 2021
Wojnarowski reports that Wade quickly answered those concerns, indicating that his fondness for Miami remains undiminished.
Wade: "The respect I that I have for that [Heat] organization will not go anywhere, the love that I have for the [Heat] fans -- that goes nowhere. But this is about the next phase of my life as an investor, a businessman, an entrepreneur. For me, this is an opportunity to grow."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2021
Wade averaged 22.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 33.9 minutes per game during his 16-year career. He won three NBA Championships with the Heat.
The Utah Jazz currently own a 41-14 record, the best in the NBA.