Miller Sports + Entertainment
Miller Sports + Entertainment is the sports and entertainment division of the Larry H. Miller Company, managing the group's Utah-based sports, cinema, and related entertainment interests.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Miller Sports + Entertainment (MSE) is the sports and entertainment division of the Larry H. Miller Company, an American business group based in Utah. The division was rebranded from the Larry H. Miller Company in May 2024 and serves as the operating and ownership platform for several of the Miller family's sports and entertainment assets. The division's portfolio includes Megaplex Theatres, the Salt Lake Bees minor-league baseball organization, and interests connected with professional soccer in Utah. In April 2023, MSE established Big League Utah, an initiative intended to support Utah's pursuit of a Major League Baseball franchise. The organization's formation reflects a broader strategy of using sports ownership, venue development, and civic promotion to expand Utah's profile as a major sports market. MSE's historical roots extend through Larry H. Miller's ownership of major Utah sports properties. Miller purchased the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association in 1985 for $22 million and retained the franchise until the Larry H. Miller Company sold it to Ryan Smith in 2020 for $1.6 billion. Earlier sports investments also included ownership of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles minor-league hockey team from 1989 to 1994 and the Utah Starzz of the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until their sale to Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 2002. The entertainment side of the organization is represented most visibly by Megaplex Theatres. The cinema chain opened its first location at the Jordan Commons complex in Sandy, Utah, on November 1, 1999. That opening site began with 20 screens and became one of the region's strongest-performing theaters. By 2024, the chain operated 17 locations. MSE also oversees the stadium used by the Salt Lake Bees, whose Utah baseball history dates to the team's relocation from Portland to Salt Lake City in 1994. A major expansion of MSE's current sports portfolio occurred on April 18, 2025, when the Miller family and MSE acquired Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals, Real Monarchs, and America First Field in a reported $600 million transaction. The clubs are held and operated through RSL Football Holdings. In July 2025, additional Utah investors, including Matt Hawkins, Nick Greer, Jeremy and Kristin Andrus, and the Don Berman family, joined RSL Football Holdings. These transactions positioned MSE as a significant owner and operator of professional soccer properties in Utah while preserving the group's longstanding connection to local sports and entertainment infrastructure. MSE is therefore best understood not as a consumer product brand but as a regional sports-and-entertainment ownership and operating platform. Its activities combine professional and developmental sports teams, venue management, cinema exhibition, and efforts to attract additional major-league sports to Utah.
History
Miller Sports + Entertainment is the sports and entertainment division of the Larry H. Miller Company. Although the MSE name dates from its May 2024 rebranding, its business history derives from Larry H. Miller's long-running ownership and development of sports and entertainment properties in Utah. Larry H. Miller acquired the Utah Jazz in 1985 for $22 million, establishing the Miller organization as a prominent force in Utah professional sports. The Jazz remained part of the group's portfolio until 2020, when the Larry H. Miller Company sold the NBA franchise to Ryan Smith for $1.6 billion. The sale ended the family's direct ownership of the Jazz but did not end its involvement in Utah sports. The organization also owned the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, a minor-league ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. Larry Miller purchased the team in 1989 and sold it in 1994. In 1997, he received the franchise for the Utah Starzz of the Women's National Basketball Association. The team was sold to Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 2002. The Miller group's baseball activities in Utah began with the relocation of the Portland Beavers to Salt Lake City in 1994 by Joe Buzas. A new ballpark was built on the site of Derks Field, and the renamed Salt Lake Buzz opened the facility that year. The club drew 713,224 home spectators in its inaugural season, setting a Pacific Coast League single-season attendance record that had stood for 48 years. The franchise was renamed the Salt Lake Stingers in 2001 after a trademark dispute involving Georgia Tech's Buzz mascot. Larry H. Miller later purchased the team, and ownership passed to his widow, Gail Miller, after his death in 2009. MSE oversees the club and its home stadium, now associated with the Salt Lake Bees and known as The Ballpark at America First Square; the stadium was unveiled in 2024 as part of the Daybreak community. The entertainment portfolio expanded with Megaplex Theatres. The chain opened its first theater at Jordan Commons in Sandy, Utah, on November 1, 1999. The original cinema had 20 screens and was built on the former site of Jordan High School. By 2024, Megaplex operated 17 locations. In April 2023, MSE created Big League Utah to promote the state's effort to obtain a Major League Baseball franchise. The organization was subsequently rebranded as Miller Sports + Entertainment in May 2024. On April 18, 2025, MSE and the Miller family acquired Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals, Real Monarchs, and America First Field from David Blitzer and Ryan Smith in a reported $600 million deal. The properties are held and operated through RSL Football Holdings. In July 2025, further local investors joined that holding company, broadening the Utah ownership group. MSE's development thus runs from Larry H. Miller's original professional-sports investments to a broader platform encompassing soccer, baseball, cinema, venues, and campaigns to attract additional major sports franchises to Utah.
- 2025
MSE acquires Utah soccer properties
[1]MSE and the Miller family acquired Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals, Real Monarchs, and America First Field.
- 2024
MSE rebrand and Salt Lake baseball venue unveiling
[1]The sports and entertainment division adopted the Miller Sports + Entertainment name, while the Salt Lake Bees' stadium was unveiled as part of Daybreak.
- 2023
Big League Utah is formed
[1]MSE launched Big League Utah to support an effort to attract Major League Baseball to the state.
- 2020
Utah Jazz is sold
[1]The Larry H. Miller Company sold the Jazz to Ryan Smith for $1.6 billion.
- 1999
First Megaplex Theatre opens
[1]Megaplex Theatres opened its first location at Jordan Commons in Sandy, Utah, on November 1.
- 1997
Utah receives a WNBA franchise
[1]Larry Miller was awarded the Utah Starzz franchise in the Women's National Basketball Association.
- 1994
Salt Lake baseball franchise begins Utah tenure
[1]The Portland Beavers moved to Salt Lake City, where the renamed Salt Lake Buzz began play in a newly built ballpark.
- 1989
Miller acquires the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
[1]Larry Miller purchased the International Hockey League's Salt Lake Golden Eagles.
- 1985
Larry H. Miller purchases the Utah Jazz
[1]Larry H. Miller acquired the NBA's Utah Jazz for $22 million, beginning the family's best-known period of professional-sports ownership.
Products and positioning
A Utah-centered sports and entertainment platform combining team ownership, venue operations, cinema exhibition, and initiatives designed to expand the state's professional-sports presence.
Cinema chain · 1999
Megaplex Theatres
Megaplex Theatres is MSE's cinema exhibition business. Its first location opened at the Jordan Commons restaurant and entertainment complex in Sandy, Utah, on November 1, 1999, with 20 screens. The original site was built on the former Jordan High School property and became a strong local performer. The chain had 17 locations as of 2024.
Minor-league baseball team · 1994
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a professional minor-league baseball organization whose Utah history began with the Portland Beavers' relocation to Salt Lake City in 1994. The club has used several names, including Salt Lake Buzz and Salt Lake Stingers. MSE oversees the team and its home venue, The Ballpark at America First Square.
Major League Soccer club
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is a Utah-based Major League Soccer club acquired by MSE and the Miller family in April 2025. The club is held and operated through RSL Football Holdings alongside the Utah Royals and Real Monarchs.
National Women's Soccer League club
Utah Royals
The Utah Royals are a National Women's Soccer League team acquired by MSE and the Miller family in April 2025 as part of the same transaction that brought Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs into the group's soccer portfolio.
Developmental soccer team
Real Monarchs
Real Monarchs are a Utah soccer team included in MSE's 2025 acquisition of the state's professional soccer properties. The club is operated under RSL Football Holdings with Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals.
Sports franchise-attraction initiative · 2023
Big League Utah
Big League Utah is an initiative formed by MSE in April 2023 to promote Utah as a potential home for a Major League Baseball team and to support the state's pursuit of an MLB franchise.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Big League Utah
Utah · United States
MSE created Big League Utah to advocate for the state as a prospective Major League Baseball market and to help attract an MLB team.
Outcome. The initiative continued as a Utah sports-development effort; the supplied reference does not establish that Utah received an MLB franchise.
Brand decisions
2025
Acquisition of Utah soccer propertiesM&ABackground
MSE and the Miller family sought to expand their direct ownership of professional sports properties in Utah.
Action taken
On April 18, 2025, they acquired Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals, Real Monarchs, and America First Field from David Blitzer and Ryan Smith through a reported $600 million transaction.
Aftermath
The clubs and venue were placed under RSL Football Holdings, making soccer a central part of MSE's current portfolio.
Reported transaction value. $600 million (April 18, 2025)
2025
Expansion of RSL Football Holdings ownership groupStrategyBackground
Following the acquisition of Utah's soccer properties, MSE broadened the ownership base supporting the clubs.
Action taken
In July 2025, local investors including Matt Hawkins, Nick Greer, Jeremy and Kristin Andrus, and the Don Berman family joined RSL Football Holdings.
Aftermath
The transaction added further Utah-based investment to the ownership structure.
2024
Rebrand as Miller Sports + EntertainmentStrategyBackground
The Larry H. Miller Company's sports and entertainment activities had expanded across cinema, baseball, and professional sports initiatives.
Action taken
The division was rebranded as Miller Sports + Entertainment in May 2024.
Aftermath
The new identity established a dedicated banner for the group's sports and entertainment operations.
Sources1 sources
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