The Utah Jazz announced today the team’s talent lineup for the 2021-22 season that will bring the stories, news and personalities to fans across all Jazz platforms.

Holly Rowe enters her first season as an analyst on the Jazz broadcast team. Her diverse experience spans nearly 30 years, including 25 with ESPN and ABC. Rowe has covered a variety of professional and amateur sports, including the NBA, WNBA, NFL, NCAA and World Cup soccer. Most recently, she was named to the ABC Saturday Night Football commentating team, marking her 26th season covering college football for ESPN and ABC. Rowe will continue in her role as an ESPN/ABC commentator this season in addition to working as a Jazz broadcast analyst.

The Utah native began her career as the play-by-play voice for BYU women’s volleyball and gymnastics from 1993-09. Rowe went on to be an analyst for the WNBA’s Utah Starzz and work as a sports reporter and anchor for multiple outlets in Salt Lake City.

“We are excited to add someone with as much versatility, insight and storytelling experience as Holly to our broadcast,” said Jazz Chief Marketing Officer Bart Sharp. “In addition to having profound local ties in our state, Holly is also a well-respected and established national sports broadcaster which we feel will give our fans a unique perspective on our franchise.”

Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and 2019 Utah Sportscaster of the Year, Craig Bolerjack, returns for his 17th season as the play-by-play television voice of the Jazz. Bolerjack will be joined by long-time broadcast contributor and former Jazzman Thurl Bailey on the call along with Rowe.

Bailey enters his 21st season as a Jazz broadcaster. Bailey spent 10 seasons as a player with the Jazz, appearing in 708 games (205 starts) for the franchise and beyond his career in basketball has become an important figure in the region for his community outreach.

Alema Harrington, a 25-year broadcast veteran, returns to the Jazz pregame, halftime and postgame shows on AT&T SportsNet for his 12th season. He will be joined by analyst Mike Smith who enters his fourth season with Utah and 23rd overall as a broadcaster in the NBA. This season, Smith will move from a contributor role to a full-time position on the Jazz broadcast team.

The Zone Sports Network, the exclusive radio home of the Jazz, will tip off its ninth year broadcasting Jazz games on 1280 AM and 97.5 FM. David Locke, radio voice of the Jazz, will begin his 13th season calling Jazz games and Ron Boone, who is in his 34th season with the franchise, once again serving as radio analyst. Jake Scott will host the Jazz pregame, halftime and postgame radio shows along with former BYU assistant coach Tim LaComb.

Vivint Arena, the home of the Jazz, also announced updated safety guidelines on Friday.

The venue will now have a requirement for all guests ages 12 and older attending any event, including Utah Jazz games, to present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event to gain access to the arena.

The decision to implement proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test administered within 72 hours of the event start time reflects the arena’s continued commitment to provide the safest possible environment for the gathering of fans, players, employees, touring artists and show performers.

“As a community gathering place, we have a responsibility to protect our guests by putting health and safety standards in place,” said Jim Olson, president of Vivint Arena and the Utah Jazz. “The delta variant is a threat to the sports and entertainment industry and our community at large. We ask Jazz fans to get vaccinated to help stop the surge. We stand united with health care professionals on the importance of vaccinations. We believe this is the path forward to shut down this pandemic.”

“I am happy the Utah Jazz are taking the safety of their fans, staff, and players seriously,” said Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health. “The use of vaccinations, testing, and masks are all parts of a layered approach we have encouraged throughout the state. We welcome efforts by businesses to operate their events in a safe manner during this time of high transmission of COVID-19.”

A person currently is considered “fully vaccinated” if they can document that at least 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccination course. Full COVID-19 vaccination is already required for all employees working events at Vivint Arena.

Guests under the age of 12 will be permitted to enter Vivint Arena if they wear a mask at all times while inside the venue. All other guests are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask, but it is not mandatory.

This new entrance process will go into effect on Sept. 30 with the Frozen Fury NHL preseason game between the LA Kings and Vegas Golden Knights. The Jazz will play preseason games on Oct. 11 and Oct. 13 at Vivint Arena with their NBA season opener set for Oct. 20.

The policy will be in place until further notice and could be modified at any time. Arena officials will continue to monitor the evolving circumstances surrounding COVID-19, working with event organizers and local, state and federal health agencies to determine health and safety measures.

Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early at Vivint Arena for a smooth transition into the building. A digital process will be in place for future events, but the arena is also accepting the following forms of physical proof of vaccination:

· A CDC-issued vaccination card including the name of the person vaccinated, the type of vaccination provided and the date that the last dose was administered

· A digital photo of a CDC-issued vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device

· A printed photo of a CDC-issued vaccination card

The following are acceptable as proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test:

· A digital photo of negative COVID-19 PCR test results that matches the personal identification of the individual

· A printed photo of negative COVID-19 PCR test results that matches the personal identification of the individual

Vivint Arena will continue to implement other safety protocols, including a “no bag” policy for expedited entry into the building, digital tickets, cashless and contactless payment experiences at concessions and stores, and enhanced facility cleaning to help mitigate the risk of exposure when attending events.

In addition to Jazz games, upcoming events include a Michael Bublé concert on Oct. 1; Kane Brown concert on Oct. 9; Dan + Shay concert on Oct. 23; Andrea Bocelli concert on Oct. 30; Disney on Ice show on Nov. 4-7; Lany concert on Nov. 10; Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Nov. 24; Jim Gaffigan show on Dec. 10-11; Luke Combs concert on Dec. 16; Monster Jam Trucks show on Jan. 7-9; and JoJo Siwa concert on Jan. 16.

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