Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Jazz basketball team, have announced the appointment of Amir Shafii as the alternate governor and top hockey decision-maker for their NHL franchise in Utah. Shafii, who currently serves as an executive vice president of Talent & Innovation at Wasserman, will assume his new role on May 31.
The details of Shafii’s official title and his role in running the business operations remain unclear. However, sources close to the situation reveal that he has accepted the position and will be leaving Wasserman on May 31.
Shafii is a Montreal-born agent known for representing professional golfers. He has worked with some of the biggest names in golf and has built a reputation for being one of the most respected agents in the industry.
While Shafii’s background is in golf, he also has experience in the hockey world. He was instrumental in building Wasserman’s business in Canada and opened an office in Toronto in 2011. Over the years, he has helped represent several NHL players and recently represented Penguins President of Hockey Operations, Kyle Dubas, during negotiations with the Maple Leafs in 2023.
However, concerns were raised regarding a potential conflict of interest as Wasserman represents many NHL players. As a result, the NHL Players Association reviewed Armstrong’s relationship with Dubas to ensure there were no violations of any agent regulations. The union has not made any public statements about whether Wasserman violated any rules.
In conclusion, Amir Shafii’s appointment as alternate governor and top hockey decision-maker for Utah’s NHL franchise marks another significant move by Ryan and Ashley Smith towards building a strong sports empire in Utah.
