Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — It was a year of big returns for sports in 2023, with the NBA All-Star Game and Delta Center bringing back plenty of 90s nostalgia, and the IOC announcing Salt Lake City as its preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympics.
These, and many more major events, brought fans and readers to KSL.com as we continue to bring you the latest in sports news. Here are the 10 most-read articles this year.
10. No. 8 Utah falls to No. 11 Penn State in Rose Bowl after Rising's early exit — Jan. 2
For the second straight season, No. 8 Utah finished the Rose Bowl without its starting quarterback; and for the second year, Utah lost the Grandaddy of Them All.
9. What it means for the Jazz as AT&T SportsNet prepares to shut down — Feb. 27
AT&T SportsNet — the former broadcast home of the Utah Jazz — shut down for good after the 2023 NBA season and Smith Entertainment Group took over broadcasts via KJZZ and Jazz+.
8. Salt Lake makes MLB bid, Oakland A's move to Las Vegas — April 12 and April 20
A large coalition called Big League Utah threw its hat in the ring for a major league team and the Oakland Athletics are headed to Sin City, potentially tying up one of two loose ends before MLB considers Salt Lake City's expansion case.
7. Red Rocks gymnast Kara Eaker announces retirement, cites abuse — Oct. 20
Eaker, who was tabbed as an alternate for the United States gymnastics team at the Olympics in 2020 before enrolling at Utah, announced on Instagram that her retirement comes after she was a victim of "verbal and emotional abuse." Head coach Tom Farden and Utah "mutually agreed to part ways" on Nov. 21.
6. NBA All-Star Weekend blog — Feb. 14-19
The NBA All-Star Weekend took place in Salt Lake City on Feb. 17-19. Lauri Markkanen was an All-Star starter and Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton won the Skills Challenge for Team Utah.
5. 'A huge day for Utah': IOC names Salt Lake City preferred host of 2034 Winter Olympics — Nov. 29
The International Olympic Committee announced Salt Lake City as the preferred host of the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The city hosted the 2002 games.
4. Jazz trade Conley, Vanderbilt, Beasley and Alexander-Walker in three-team deal — Feb. 8
As the final major move in its recent roster restructure, the Jazz sent Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Los Angeles Lakers.
3. The Delta Center is back: New agreement restores original name to Utah Jazz arena — Jan. 14
To many fans, it's always been the Delta Center. The name returned 17 years after the beloved moniker was removed from the Utah Jazz's home arena. In between it was EnergySolutions Arena, Vivint SmartHome Arena, and finally Vivint Arena.
2. Hamlin in critical condition after cardiac arrest on field, Bills say — Jan. 3
Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin was taken to the hospital in critical condition after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during a Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. Hamlin made a full recovery.
1. After 'inconsistent' NBA career, former Jazz center Greg Ostertag is living the dream — June 14
Our Beyond the Game video series took this year's top spot with a look at 10-year Jazzman Greg Ostertag 17 years removed from his time in Utah.
