Apple CEO Tim Cook Sits Courtside With Jazz Owners Wade And Smith

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Apple CEO Tim Cook and Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds sat courtside with owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, and Dwyane Wade at the Utah Jazz final preseason game Wednesday.

Cook and Reynolds were in town for the Silicon Slopes tech summit where they have been working with Smith to raise money for the non-profit organization Encircle.

Cook appeared on the Jazz television broadcast with Craig Bolerjack and Thurl Bailey before joining Reynolds, Wade, and Smith courtside.

Courtside check 🔎 pic.twitter.com/o9XABCDYIy

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) October 14, 2021

Reynolds was joined by wife Aja Volkman, the lead singer of the band Nico Vega.

Encircle is a non-profit organization that strives to create family and youth resource centers aimed at providing a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

In February, Smith teamed with Cook and Reynolds to announce their fundraising efforts to expand the non-profit throughout Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada with the “$8 Million, 8 Houses” project.

On Wednesday they announced that they had reaced their goal.

Under Smith the Jazz have seen a increase in celebrities showing up at games. In February, Ant-Man actor Michael Pena made a surprise appearance at a game.

so @realmichaelpena was at the game last night which means we are now @SheaSerrano's second favorite team that's just how it works pic.twitter.com/Fa0ehyVxzI

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) February 11, 2021

Pena is a friend of Smith who has not been shy about welcoming high profile, including famed local PGA tour pro Tony Finau.

Last year during the playoffs rapper T-Pain also made an appearance sitting courtside as the Jazz hosted the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City.

The star, known for popularizing auto-tune was in town as part of a promotion with Ruffles.

Jazz fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for more courtside celebrities starting next week when the regular season opens against the Oklahoma City Thunder.