The Utah Jazz announced Friday the team will require fans to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative test to enter Vivint Arena and attend games.

This requirement applies to all events at Vivint Arena. Patrons will be required to show proof of full vaccination or a test within 72 hours of the event showing the person is not infected with the coronavirus.

The decision “reflects the arena’s continued commitment to provide the safest possible environment for the gathering of fans, players, employees, touring artists and show performers,” the team’s statement says.

Fans under the age of 12 will be permitted to enter Vivint Arena if they wear a mask. All others are encouraged to wear masks, but it is not mandatory.

“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, in the statement. “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.”

ROWE RETURNS TO UTAH

Longtime ESPN sports reporter Holly Rowe will return to her native Utah to join the Jazz TV broadcast team as an analyst, the team announced Friday.

Rowe is in her 26th season with ESPN covering college football. She began her career as a sports anchor for various Utah TV news stations and also worked as a play-by-play voice for BYU volleyball and gymnastics. She will continue with her current role at ESPN while also working Jazz broadcasts.

Paul Sancya, Associated Press In this Feb. 15, 2020, photo, Holly Rowe, an ESPN sideline reporter, is shown during a college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich.

“We are excited to add someone with as much versatility, insight and storytelling experience as Holly to our broadcast,” Jazz marketing officer Bart Sharp said in a statement.

Craig Bolerjack will return for his 17th season as the TV play-by-play voice of the Jazz. Former Jazz player Thurl Bailey, who has worked as studio host and occasional color commentator for the last 21 years, will take over color commentating duties full time, joining Bolerjack and Rowe as the main broadcast team.

Alema Harrington returns for his 12th season to anchor pregame, halftime and postgame shows on the TV broadcast. Mike Smith, a former BYU player and longtime color commentator for the Los Angeles Clippers, returns to become a full-time studio show analyst.

Jazz TV broadcasts will again be on AT&T Sports Network.

On the radio at 1280 The Zone/97.5 FM, David Locke returns for his 13th season as play-by-play voice, with Utah legend Ron Boone, in his 34th season with the team, as color commentator. Zone host Jake Scott and former BYU assistant coach Tim LaComb return as pre-, half- and postgame show hosts.

Nayo Campbell and Kera Thompson will work as emcee’s inside the arena.

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