What Matters Most

I was at a family wedding, this week, and I talked with a lot of people. (Anything for an extra brownie.) Some of them knew I was a sports columnist, and wanted to talk about two things: the Jazz and BYU vs. Utah.

Weird part is, it’s the off-season for both. But of the couple of dozen people I talked to, nobody mentioned the Bees, RSL, Blaze, Grizzlies or any other local team. It was a reminder what people truly care about.

I was asked which players the Jazz will re-sign (only Paul Millsap for sure). And whether the Utes have a reliable quarterback in tow (not yet). They also wanted to know whether the Cougars can beat Oklahoma (yes, in volleyball). And what about Jim Boylen and Dave Rose (both great fits for their programs). We discussed BYU someday winning an NCAA basketball tournament game (check your 2013-14 calendar). And whether Greg Miller would ever move the Jazz (no, but he might sell to another Utah rich guy).

The fact that people care most about BYU, Utah and the Jazz isn’t exactly a news flash. In surveys, they have always been the big three of Utah sports. Still, it’s interesting to know that’s what people are thinking about, even when the aforementioned sports are out of season.

The good news for teams like Real Salt Lake is that someone mentioned Rio Tinto Stadium and the concerts.

Maybe Ray Kinsella was right.

Build it and they will come.