Larry H. Miller

Larry H. Miller
Born	(1944-04-26) 26 April 1944
Died	20 February 2009(2009-02-20) (aged 64)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, sports team owner
Known for	Owner of Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Larry H. Miller Company

Larry H. Miller (April 26, 1944 – February 20, 2009) was a prominent American entrepreneur. He was the proprietor of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, the Utah Jazz, as well as the Salt Lake Bees, a minor league baseball franchise. His business empire, now operating under the name Larry H. Miller Company, included ownership of over 60 car dealerships across the western United States, along with diverse enterprises such as Prestige Financial Services, Jordan Commons (a dining and entertainment center), Megaplex Theatres, KJZZ-TV, Miller Motorsports Park, the advertising firm Saxton Horne, and the Delta Center. Until its sale in 2018 to Ames Watson Capital, the LHM Group also owned the Fanzz sports apparel retail chain.

Family and early life

Born Lawrence Horne West to Mary Lorille Horne and Howard Hanley West, Miller experienced his parents’ divorce in 1946. In June 1948, his mother remarried Frank Soren Miller, who legally adopted Larry in September 1949, resulting in a surname change to Miller. Larry did not reunite with his biological father until he reached middle age.

Although his academic performance was weak, Miller was recognized as a National Merit Scholar. He completed his education at Salt Lake City’s West High School and briefly attended college for six weeks.

Miller’s early work experience included intermittent construction jobs with his uncle Reid Horne until layoffs occurred in 1964 due to insufficient business. That summer he worked as a truck driver for Aaron’s Coverall and Towel Service. Later that year, he joined American Auto Parts earning $1.10 per hour while performing tasks such as stocking inventory, delivering goods, and cleaning.

After leaving American Auto Parts, Miller secured a position through a newspaper advertisement at Bountiful Motors’ parts department. His initial salary was $300 for the first month with an expected increase to $350 thereafter; however, when this raise failed to materialize, he accepted an offer from a customer to work at Paint and Piston body shop for $425 monthly. After one year there, he transitioned to Gresh and Jerry's Chevron gas station where he earned $450 performing mechanical duties, pumping fuel, and managing parts stock. Discontent with unmet agreements regarding working hours led him to Peck and Shaw GMC-Toyota dealership where he chose to manage the Toyota parts division as the company sought to separate parts departments for GMC and Toyota vehicles.

Subsequently, Miller became parts manager at Main Motors—a dealership handling snowmobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and trailers—earning $650 per month plus an agreed-upon 10% share of departmental profits. Despite successfully turning around the department’s finances and presenting proof of profitability, his employer reneged on this compensation agreement. Due to declining company performance and staff reductions causing significant stress, Miller resigned following a confrontation with management. Although he briefly considered but did not start a role at Burt Chevrolet-Toyota in Englewood, Colorado, he later reconciled with Main Motors.

In 1970 Miller definitively left Main Motors over repeated broken promises and joined Burt Chevrolet-Toyota as Toyota parts manager but departed after two weeks’ notice amid ongoing disputes about pay and other matters. These experiences shaped his belief that valuing employees could provide a competitive edge.

At Chuck Stevinson Toyota in Lakewood, Colorado, Miller found greater success beginning in 1971 when hired to revitalize their parts department. Within two years under his leadership, it became the top-selling parts division among all Toyota dealerships nationwide by expanding sales beyond local customers into a national wholesale market. Capitalizing on high demand during the energy crisis for locking gas caps—manufactured by only two companies—he purchased the entire wholesale supply. In 1973 Gene Osborne, part-owner of Stevinson Toyota, offered Miller promotion to general manager; however, this advancement was delayed until 1974 due to that year’s oil embargo. By 1977 he managed operations across all five Stevinson Toyota locations before being reassigned to oversee one store so that Stevinson’s sons could assume leadership roles; Miller also served as their mentor. His efforts earned him national acclaim within Toyota dealership circles.

Miller’s enthusiasm for softball and drag racing—hobbies pursued from the early 1960s through mid-1980s—helped lay foundations for his later involvement in sports and automotive industries. He raced cars between 1963 and 1970 while actively pitching fast-pitch softball in Salt Lake City and Denver leagues from 1962 until 1985.

His passion for baseball extended beyond playing softball; it influenced family decisions such as relocating from Utah to Colorado in 1970 so he could compete for Hagestad Volkswagen's fast-pitch softball team in Denver. Additionally, he collected memorabilia related to Major League Baseball.

On March 25, 1965, Miller married Gail Saxton—his high school sweetheart—and together they had five children: Gregory Scott; Roger Lawrence (August 21, 1968 – August 18, 2013); Stephen Frank; Karen Rebecca; and Bryan Joseph. Their family grew to include twenty-one grandchildren.

Religion

Miller was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) throughout his life. However, by the time he reached 22, he had ceased active participation in church activities. While Miller’s wife and son Greg eventually resumed attending services, Miller himself postponed re-engagement, preferring to spend time playing softball and watching football games. His renewed involvement began in 1975 when he attended a Relief Society dinner at his local congregation alongside friends, the LaPoint family. This event sparked his interest in pursuing ordination as an elder within the church’s priesthood. Although Miller’s church activity increased over the following years, he described his attitude during that period as "non-committal."

After several years of contemplation regarding his beliefs, Miller solidified his dedication and was ordained an elder. Toward the end of 1978, he instructed his wife to begin tithing based on their total income.

Miller also played a pivotal role in supporting a team of scholars at Brigham Young University (BYU) who analyzed early LDS Church documents. This group eventually produced The Joseph Smith Papers. Beyond the publication of these volumes, the project also resulted in a companion television series. Miller contributed $10 million in bonds along with additional cash donations to fund this initiative. The final volume, number 27, was published in 2023.

Car dealerships

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LHM

Together with his uncle Reid Horne, Miller acquired Toyota of Murray, located in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, from Hugh Gardner and his partner for $3.5 million. At that time, Miller had only $88,000 available and faced challenges securing bank loans. Horne managed to obtain a $200,000 loan, while Gardner and his partner agreed to accept three promissory notes covering the remaining balance with a repayment period spanning ten years. Miller was deeply concerned about the financial strain this debt could impose on the dealership but recognized it was underperforming and believed improvements were possible.

Gardner and his partner attempted to defraud Miller by selling inventory at cost to their associates before transferring ownership. Anticipating this tactic, Miller and Horne arranged for a shipment of new vehicles from Toyota ahead of closing and stored them off-site until the sale was finalized. The dealership reopened as Larry H. Miller Toyota on May 1, 1979, selling 172 cars in its first month—significantly higher than the previous average of 30 cars monthly.

Only four months after this initial acquisition, Miller received a call from Erwin Ashenfelter regarding purchasing a struggling dealership in Spokane, Washington. He undertook arduous negotiations with Washington banks to secure financing and faced difficulties obtaining inventory due to the dealership lacking a dealer code and flooring line. To overcome this, Miller paid cash upfront and redirected vehicles destined for Spokane to Murray temporarily. He also quickly purchased another distressed dealership in Moscow, Idaho. By late 1980, Miller expanded further by acquiring an additional location in Phoenix, Arizona.

The early stages of Miller’s dealership ventures were marked by considerable challenges; he frequently faced near failure. When his uncle encountered financial troubles that threatened their business partnership, Miller bought out his uncle’s share in October 1981 by borrowing $700,000. The dealerships experienced significant recovery during 1983 and 1984.

During the 1980s and into the early 1990s, Miller expanded his holdings by acquiring multiple car dealerships across Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, forming what became known as the Larry H. Miller Automotive Group. In 2007, Selling Power ranked him as the tenth-largest automotive dealer in the United States, operating 42 dealerships with sales totaling $13.5 million. Miller prioritized vertical integration to strengthen his automotive business by establishing an advertising agency, a printing company, and an insurance firm. By the 1990s, his strong reputation facilitated easier financing for new ventures.

In 2021, Asbury Automotive purchased the Larry H. Miller Automotive Group’s dealerships for $3.2 billion.

In the early 2000s, Miller spearheaded efforts to enact legislation prohibiting car dealerships from operating on consecutive weekend days; attempts to overturn this law were unsuccessful in 2025.

Television

Following an unsuccessful effort to launch a television station on the last available VHF channel in Utah, Miller acquired the independent Salt Lake City station KXIV in February 1993. Subsequently, he rebranded it as KJZZ-TV in homage to the Utah Jazz basketball team.

Between 1995 and 2001, KJZZ-TV served as a founding affiliate of UPN. In October 2000, Miller insisted on contractual permission to terminate his affiliation with the network should it expand its "urban/ethnic programming" beyond two hours weekly, citing the minimal minority population in the Salt Lake Metropolitan area.

Restaurant

In July 2000, Miller faced a lawsuit filed by Casa Bonita, a restaurant located in Lakewood, Colorado, accusing him of infringing intellectual property rights and engaging in unfair competition. The complaint alleged that Miller's establishment, The Mayan, imitated Casa Bonita’s distinctive trade dress. It was claimed that Miller had visited Casa Bonita multiple times starting in 1996 and had requested access to their financial records.

Other businesses

Miller’s portfolio also included ownership of Megaplex Theatres, Prestige Financial Services, Miller Motorsports Park, Saxton Horne Communications, Fanzz (a retailer specializing in sports apparel and memorabilia), and the Jordan Commons cinema and dining complexes along the Wasatch Front. As of 2021, Megaplex Theatres operated eleven locations within shopping centers—ten situated across Utah at The Gateway mall in downtown Salt Lake City, Jordan Commons in Sandy, The District in South Jordan, The Junction in Ogden, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, as well as venues in Cedar City, Centerville, Logan, St. George, West Valley City, and Vineyard; plus one theater located in Mesquite, Nevada. Collectively, these theaters comprise a total of 191 screens.

The theaters attracted global attention following the decision to cancel screenings of Brokeback Mountain. This move prompted calls from the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah and other advocates for LGBTQ+ rights to boycott Miller’s various enterprises. On February 7, 2007, former Utah Jazz center John Amaechi publicly disclosed his homosexuality. The following day, Miller issued a statement admitting that retracting Brokeback Mountain was an error. He characterized his initial response as a "knee-jerk reaction" and indicated he might permit the film’s exhibition if confronted with a similar choice again; nevertheless, he expressed uncertainty regarding his reaction to having an openly gay athlete on his basketball roster. Miller later clarified that his decision to cancel was motivated by concerns over moving away from what he termed "traditional families," which he viewed as "a very dangerous thing." He acknowledged that some customers showed support for this stance by purchasing vehicles from his dealerships. Additionally, he expressed remorse for any hurt feelings caused by his actions.

Utah Jazz

In early 1985, Miller was among 40 business executives who received a letter aimed at recapitalizing the Utah Jazz to ensure the team remained in Utah. A few weeks after being approached by the team's management, Miller proposed $6.25 million for a 50% stake, though the team was seeking $8 million. Although his initial offer was declined, he continued to assist in efforts to sell the franchise. When faced with a competing bid that threatened to relocate the team to Miami, Florida, Miller matched the full $8 million asking price. Securing financing proved challenging since the $8 million represented twice his net worth, and the Jazz had never turned a profit throughout their 11-year history. Over that period, the franchise lost $17 million, with its best year resulting in only a $1 million loss. Just seven minutes before owner Sam Battistone’s April 11, 1985 deadline, Miller secured commitments from a group of six local banks. The NBA hesitated to approve the sale due to concerns about Miller’s relatively modest net worth. Nonetheless, on May 10, 1985, Miller was officially approved as co-owner of the Utah Jazz after acquiring a 50% interest.

Approximately fourteen months later, Miller was on the verge of finalizing a $14 million sale of his stake but withdrew at the last moment because it would have led to relocating the team to Minnesota. Recognizing that Salt Lake City represented the smallest market in the NBA and doubting it would host another NBA franchise, Miller chose to exercise an option in his purchase agreement and proceeded to buy out Battistone.

On June 16, 1986, Miller acquired Battistone’s remaining 50% share. To facilitate this transaction, he agreed to forgive a $3.5 million loan previously extended to Battistone and take over payments on a loan Battistone was servicing with those funds. Additionally, Miller assumed responsibility for a $1 million defaulted debt held by Battistone and a partner, as well as a $5.5 million note payable to StratAmerica. The deal also included $2 million in cash, use of Chrysler New Yorker and Chrysler Caprice demo cars for Battistone and his wife until the StratAmerica note was settled, and ten Jazz tickets until that note was paid off. Although Battistone requested a Corvette and ten extra tickets, he otherwise approved of the arrangement; Miller promptly agreed. Following this acquisition, Miller's monthly debt obligations related to owning the Jazz totaled $333,000.

Miller emphasized recruiting players with strong ethical values during his tenure as owner. He enforced strict dress codes for players; for instance, all shoes had to be uniform in color, socks required a minimum four-inch height above the ankle, shirts needed to be tucked in, and shoes were to be properly tied at all times.

An avid supporter of the team, Miller maintained his own locker room space and donned a uniform at every game he attended. He personally greeted players on the court and was present at nearly every game except those held on Sundays in observance of the Sabbath. Under his leadership, the Jazz ranked as the second most successful team in the NBA.

Miller developed a close bond with John Stockton, whom he described as viewing him like a father figure.

His relationship with Karl Malone was more complex—marked by both affection and conflict. Malone frequently expressed deep admiration for Miller but also publicly claimed mistreatment by both Miller and the organization. Their disputes often centered around contract negotiations; however, they reconciled in 2007.

Miller spearheaded construction of the Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City as a new home for the Jazz. Despite advice from Jon Huntsman Sr. against building this arena, he proceeded; previously, the team played at the Salt Palace.

In October 2020, ownership of both the Jazz and Vivint Arena transitioned from the Miller family to Ryan Smith, founder of Qualtrics, for $1.66 billion—approximately seventy times what the Millers originally invested. Smith had demonstrated long-term interest in acquiring the team and had sponsored a jersey patch campaign raising $25 million for charitable causes. After multiple proposals over time, terms were finally agreed upon requiring that the franchise remain in Utah while allowing the Millers to retain minority ownership stakes. The deal also included control over the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League and management rights for the minor league baseball team Salt Lake Bees. The Miller family indicated plans to use proceeds from this sale to diversify their business ventures and expand philanthropic efforts; prior offers to purchase the Jazz had been declined.

Salt Lake Bees

Miller played an unpaid advisory role in the development of Smith's Ballpark (previously known as Spring Mobile Ballpark), which currently serves as the home field for the Los Angeles Angels' Triple-A team, the Salt Lake Bees. In 2003, he acquired ownership of the franchise and rebranded it from the Salt Lake Stingers to the Bees.

Salt Lake Golden Eagles

In September 1989, Miller became the proprietor of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles ice hockey franchise.

Utah Starzz

Miller held ownership of the Utah Starzz, a WNBA team whose name paid homage to the former ABA team, the Utah Stars, with a nod to the double "z" found in "Jazz." He divested the team in 2002, selling it to Peter Holt, owner of the San Antonio Spurs. Holt relocated the franchise to San Antonio, where it was renamed first as the San Antonio Silver Stars and later as the San Antonio Stars. In 2017, MGM Resorts International purchased the team and moved it to Las Vegas, where it became known as the Las Vegas Aces.

Motor sports

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2011 Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix restart

The Miller family owned the former Miller Motorsports Park, a racing facility that hosted both national and international car and motorcycle competitions.

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The Larry H. Miller Total Performance Auto Museum (5177527913)

Tour of Utah

The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah is an annual multi-stage professional road bicycle racing event.

Fanzz

Fanzz is a retailer specializing in sports apparel and team merchandise headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1985, by 2018 Fanzz/Just Sports operated around 85 stores across multiple states. On October 1, 2013, Fanzz expanded by acquiring Just Sports, a Northwest-based retailer. In 2018, ownership of Fanzz was transferred by the Larry H. Miller Company to Ames Watson Capital, leading to its rebranding as Fanzz Gear.

Philanthropy

Miller supported numerous initiatives and organizations spanning LDS Church projects, scholarship programs, American historical preservation, historic architecture conservation, planetariums, hospitals, music and arts institutions, horticulture efforts, and a wide range of other charitable causes.

In 2007, he launched the "Teach the Teacher" initiative, which finances intensive summer educational tours focused on American history. This program selects three cohorts of 30 educators each to participate in specialized trips: one centered on Utah with a focus on Native American history, another highlighting westward migration, and a third exploring colonial America. All travel costs and daily allowances are fully covered.

The sports complex for the BYU Cougars bears Miller's name in recognition of his significant financial contributions toward its development.

He donated $21 million to establish a law enforcement training facility.

The Larry H. and Gail Miller campus at Salt Lake Community College was constructed with $50 million in donations from Miller.

At the University of Utah, Miller funded an endowed chair within the English department.

His generosity also facilitated construction of BYU's baseball and softball complexes.

Awards

His contributions to public service earned him multiple honors, such as the Utah Minuteman Award bestowed by the Utah National Guard in 1990, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree granted by the University of Utah in 1991, and the Tourist Achievement Award from the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1992.

In total, Miller was awarded five honorary doctorate degrees.

Car collection

Miller owned a fleet of 15 Ford Shelby Cobra automobiles, a model with only 1,011 units produced worldwide. Among these, he invested $4 million in acquiring the most valuable one. At one point, Miller had to use two of his cars as collateral to obtain financing for purchasing the Utah Jazz franchise. His automotive interests also extended to GT-40s and Shelby Mustangs.

Later years and death

In June 2008, Miller experienced a major heart attack that resulted in a 59-day hospitalization complicated by kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding, necessitating blood transfusions. Later that year, in October, he developed a bone infection and diabetic ulcers on one foot, requiring outpatient surgical intervention. On January 23, 2009, due to complications arising from type-2 diabetes, Miller underwent surgery to amputate both legs approximately six inches below the knees.

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Larry Miller tribute

As his condition worsened and he confronted the inevitability of death, Miller chose to discontinue dialysis treatments and returned home. Surrounded by family on February 20, 2009, he passed away from complications related to type-2 diabetes.

NBA Commissioner David Stern released a statement mourning Miller's passing: "With deep sorrow, I extend my condolences to Gail and the entire Miller family on behalf of the NBA community. Larry's impact extended far beyond basketball; through his business achievements and philanthropic efforts, he profoundly influenced many lives in the Salt Lake City area. The NBA has lost an exceptional leader, colleague, and friend. He will be greatly missed."

Miller's funeral service took place at the Vivint Arena.

Facilities, structures, and events bearing Miller's name

• Larry H. Miller Campus at Salt Lake Community College
• Larry H. Miller Sports Complex
• Larry & Gail Miller Public Safety Education and Training Center — located on Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus
• Miller Automotive Training Center — part of Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus
• Miller Corporate Partnership Center — situated within Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus
• Miller Free Enterprise Center — housed in Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus
• Miller Professional Development Center — found at Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus
• Miller Motorsports Park
• Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah — competitive cycling event
• Larry H. Miller Softball Complex
• Larry H. Miller Court inside the Delta Center
• Miller Cafe, located at Lassonde Studios, University of Utah
• Larry H. Miller Dealerships in Murray, Utah

External links

• Official website of The Larry H. Miller Group
• Legacy of Larry H. Miller on UtahStories.com
• Larry H. Miller Automotive Group website
• Steve Luhm, "Larry H. Miller, Jazz owner and auto magnate, dies at 64," The Salt Lake Tribune, February 21, 2009 (archived)
• Obituary published in the Deseret News