Utahs Mt. Rushmore of Sports......

[DrumNFeather]

It could be argued that Larry H. Miller has done more for sports in the state of Utah than anyone. Just because he isn't a player or a coach doesn't mean he isn't worthy to be on the list or just because he is strongly disliked by some also should not disqualify him.

In terms of influence, I'd have a hard time thinking who should be ahead of him.

Didn't or doesn't Miller own the Bees/Sting/Stingers?

I believe he also has his hand in the Utah motor speedway, but I could be wrong.

[SeattleUte]

The Thunder rolls on.

The truth is on my side, which tends to fire me up.

[BoylenOver]

Didn't or doesn't Miller own the Bees/Sting/Stingers?

I believe he also has his hand in the Utah motor speedway, but I could be wrong.

Both of these statements are true.

[RockyBalboa]

For starters and in my opinion the biggest reason is buying the franchise and preventing it from moving to Minnesota. He had the papers to sell and move right in front of him and at the last minute changed his mind and

For helping to build a viable Top 10 recognizable NBA Franchise in one of it's smaller markets.

For Being a long time contributor to both BYU and Utah athletic departments behind the scenes, most of which he refuses to let be made public.

For buying the Salt Lake Buzz, and building a brand new Baseball Park which is widely considered to be one of the nicest Minor League Ball Parks in the entire country.

For building a brand new state of the art Race Track out in the desert (Tooele).

I can keep on going if you want. I guess I didn't realize that unless he's "only the guy writing the checks" that should disqualify him.

[il Padrino Ute]

Didn't or doesn't Miller own the Bees/Sting/Stingers?

I believe he also has his hand in the Utah motor speedway, but I could be wrong.

Yes, Miller owns the Bees. And he built the speedway. I believe it's called Miller Sportspark.

[TripletDaddy]

Rocky's correct. Miller took a chance and kept the NBA in Utah when it was heading out the door. And not only did he keep it, but he built a successful franchise along with an amazing network of other endeavors.

He would be the George Washington on the mountain.

This is an indictment of Utah more than a praise of LHM.

Per this criteria, every state's Rushmore would be populated by franchise owners. Mark Cuban, one of the Top 4 greatest sports figures in the history of Texas sports. Mark Cuban has done exactly what you describe above....bought a franchise, turned it into a winner, increased the value several times over, does lots of things in the community (including running a Dairy Queen) and sits courtside at every game.

[Brian]

For starters and in my opinion the biggest reason is buying the franchise and preventing it from moving to Minnesota. He had the papers to sell and move right in front of him and at the last minute changed his mind and

For helping to build a viable Top 10 recognizable NBA Franchise in one of it's smaller markets.

For Being a long time contributor to both BYU and Utah athletic departments behind the scenes, most of which he refuses to let be made public.

For buying the Salt Lake Buzz, and building a brand new Baseball Park which is widely considered to be one of the nicest Minor League Ball Parks in the entire country.

For building a brand new state of the art Race Track out in the desert (Tooele).

I can keep on going if you want. I guess I didn't realize that unless he's "only the guy writing the checks" that should disqualify him.

go easy on him.
He's from 'over there', the land where nothing exists east of the Sierra-Nevada.

[SeattleUte]

This is an indictment of Utah more than a praise of LHM.

Per this criteria, every state's Rushmore would be populated by franchise owners. Mark Cuban, one of the Top 4 greatest sports figures in the history of Texas sports. Mark Cuban has done exactly what you describe above....bought a franchise, turned it into a winner, increased the value several times over, does lots of things in the community (including running a Dairy Queen) and sits courtside at every game.

I agree with 3D. The owners are scum. All of them. Honestly, I think it takes an unusually immature billionaire to devote a large part of his fortune to owning a pro team. Classic arrested developmet. They call Paul Allen the Accidental Billionaire. And sure enough, he owns the Seahawks and the Blazers, while Bill Gates is trying to cure AIDS and fighting old world infectious diseases in Africa and South Asia.

[TripletDaddy]

For starters and in my opinion the biggest reason is buying the franchise and preventing it from moving to Minnesota. He had the papers to sell and move right in front of him and at the last minute changed his mind and

For helping to build a viable Top 10 recognizable NBA Franchise in one of it's smaller markets.

For Being a long time contributor to both BYU and Utah athletic departments behind the scenes, most of which he refuses to let be made public.

For buying the Salt Lake Buzz, and building a brand new Baseball Park which is widely considered to be one of the nicest Minor League Ball Parks in the entire country.

For building a brand new state of the art Race Track out in the desert (Tooele).

I can keep on going if you want. I guess I didn't realize that unless he's "only the guy writing the checks" that should disqualify him.

Like I said, if the criteria is simply contributing to the enjoyment of sports, then I can see his inclusion, somewhat.

I wouldn't vote for him, but everyone else is free to do so. I would put Sloan up there way before Miller.

Does everyone give great praise to Jerry Reinsdorf/Krauss....or to MJ and Jax? Per this board's logic, Reinsdorf and Krauss are the greatest. Keep in mind that Jerry owns 2 sports franchises in Chicago and donates gobs of money to the community.

[il Padrino Ute]

Miller has done more for professional sports in the state of Utah than anyone else. He's the only no-brainer on the list.

[SeattleUte]

Like I said, if the criteria is simply contributing to the enjoyment of sports, then I can see his inclusion, somewhat.

I wouldn't vote for him, but everyone else is free to do so. I would put Sloan up there way before Miller.

Does everyone give great praise to Jerry Reinsdorf/Krauss....or to MJ and Jax? Per this board's logic, Reinsdorf and Krauss are the greatest. Keep in mind that Jerry owns 2 sports franchises in Chicago and donates gobs of money to the community.

This is like when ute fans had their Chris Hill hero worship. you don't hear that anymore. They know now that Hill isn't hitting the clutch jumpers, beating the bush for talent, maintaining excellence through the drudgery of practice and conditioning, or sweating bullets on the sidelines calling out x's and o's.

[RockyBalboa]

Like I said, if the criteria is simply contributing to the enjoyment of sports, then I can see his inclusion, somewhat.

I wouldn't vote for him, but everyone else is free to do so. I would put Sloan up there way before Miller.

Does everyone give great praise to Jerry Reinsdorf/Krauss....or to MJ and Jax? Per this board's logic, Reinsdorf and Krauss are the greatest. Keep in mind that Jerry owns 2 sports franchises in Chicago and donates gobs of money to the community.

I agree Sloan doesn't and hasn't gotten his due.

How many owners would keep a coach who's never won a Championship around for 20+ years?

[TripletDaddy]

This is like when ute fans had their Chris Hill hero worship. you don't hear that anymore. They know now that Hill isn't hitting the clutch jumpers, beating the bush for talent, maintaining excellence through the drudgery of practice and conditioning, or sweating bullets on the sidelines calling out x's and o's.

It is ironic that some would elevate LHM over Sloan, yet not elevate the Board of Trustees over Lavell Edwards.

If you want to be consistent, you would have to put the Church Board of Trustees on the Mountain, since they are the ones that built the football program by hiring LaVell and paying his salary.

[Brian]

Like I said, if the criteria is simply contributing to the enjoyment of sports, then I can see his inclusion, somewhat.

I wouldn't vote for him, but everyone else is free to do so. I would put Sloan up there way before Miller.

Does everyone give great praise to Jerry Reinsdorf/Krauss....or to MJ and Jax? Per this board's logic, Reinsdorf and Krauss are the greatest. Keep in mind that Jerry owns 2 sports franchises in Chicago and donates gobs of money to the community.

Let's do an Illinois Mt. Rushmore and see.

[myboynoah]

This is an indictment of Utah more than a praise of LHM.

Per this criteria, every state's Rushmore would be populated by franchise owners. Mark Cuban, one of the Top 4 greatest sports figures in the history of Texas sports. Mark Cuban has done exactly what you describe above....bought a franchise, turned it into a winner, increased the value several times over, does lots of things in the community (including running a Dairy Queen) and sits courtside at every game.

I can live with the Utah remark. We are talking about Utah's Mr. Rushmore after all. At least you wouldn't have to share walls with other people if you lived there.

I'll let the Texans take you to task on your Cuban remarks.