Jazz Play Ukrainian Anthem Before Facing Portland
Mar 9, 2022, 8:08 PM
Utah Jazz home floor at Vivint Smart Home Arena (Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
(Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz showed their support for Ukraine by playing the Ukrainian national anthem before facing the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
The Jazz have been ardent in support of the country over the last several weeks after it came under siege from neighboring Russia late last week.
In February, the Jazz lit up Vivint Arena to show their unity with the people of Ukraine.
The @utahjazz had a performance of the Ukrainian national anthem before tonight’s game. 🇺🇦 #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/NzzWuvmTCX
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 10, 2022
The organization used a series of high-powered lights that projected the arena in blue and yellow, the official colors of the Ukrainian flag.
On the Jazz outdoor video board, the words “Utah stands with Ukraine” were displayed beloved in blue and yellow font. The demonstration accompanied a march at the Utah State Capitol to show support for the embattled country.
Earlier today The Utah Jazz Foundation announced it was partnering with Airbnb to provide thousands of nights worth of housing to Ukrainian refugees who have left the country.
“Connection and community have never been more important than it is today. Millions of people have been forced to leave behind their entire lives in Ukraine. Airbnb.org is connecting host families with refugees in need, creating safe havens when so many communities are being torn apart,” said Ryan Smith, executive chairman and co-founder of Qualtrics and owner of the Utah Jazz.
The @utahjazz Foundation and @Airbnb are partnering to provide more than 32,000 nights of housing for refugees fleeing Ukraine and surrounding countries. 🇺🇦 #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/GG45bDOSEI
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 9, 2022
“The Utah Jazz Foundation is honored to partner with Airbnb.org to fund stays for refugees who have fled Ukraine – enough to fill every seat right here in our own house—Vivint Arena—nearly two times over,” Smith continued in the release.
“And we can’t stop there. I encourage every organization to support Airbnb.org’s important initiative, to magnify their impact and house enough refugees to fill their arenas or workplaces.”
