Salt Lake City

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The franchise carries a rich history that began in Idaho as the Stampede. Before the Jazz took full ownership, the team navigated partnerships with the Denver Nuggets (2009–2012), Seattle SuperSonics (2006–2008), Toronto Raptors (2008–2009), and Portland Trail Blazers (2007–2014). A defining moment in this era occurred during the 2007–08 season, when the Stampede set a D-League record with a 17-game winning streak between December 18, 2007, and January 26, 2008. The relationship with Utah deepened on March 24, 2015, when the Jazz purchased the franchise, becoming one of several NBA teams to own their D-League affiliate directly by that date. This purchase ended a hybrid partnership and set the stage for relocation.

In Their Own Story

The journey from Boise to Salt Lake City marked a new chapter for the organization. Following the March 24, 2015 purchase by the Utah Jazz, the team signed a one-year lease at CenturyLink Arena while speculation mounted about moving closer to the parent club in Orem, the former home of the Utah Flash. These rumors materialized on April 4, 2016, when the league announced the move to Salt Lake City for the 2016–17 season under the new name, the Stars. The team continued to evolve, announcing a move to the Maverik Center for the 2022–23 season on October 10, 2022. In 2025, the franchise celebrated its heritage with a rebranding that introduced new logos and uniforms based on the original attire of the Utah Stars from the American Basketball Association.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking the development pipeline of the Utah Jazz, the Salt Lake City Stars are the essential stop. The team plays in West Valley City at the Maverik Center, having moved there in the 2022–23 season after starting their SLC tenure at CenturyLink Arena. Their history is defined by a singular NBA affiliation with the Utah Jazz since the 2014–15 season transitioned fully into ownership. The 2025 rebranding serves as a reminder of the region's deep basketball roots, specifically honoring the ABA's Utah Stars.

Did You Know?

• The franchise was known as the Idaho Stampede before relocating to West Valley City for the 2016–17 season.
• On March 24, 2015, the Utah Jazz purchased their own D-League affiliate, joining a growing list of NBA teams that already owned theirs.
• As the Idaho Stampede, the team set a D-League record with 17 consecutive wins between December 18, 2007, and January 26, 2008.
• The franchise relocated from Boise's CenturyLink Arena to the Maverik Center in 2016, not 2022.
• In 2025, the Stars unveiled new uniforms based on the original uniforms of the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association.