New development in RSL’s future

Bridgeview, Illinois — Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts must be walking with an extra spring in his Rockports. His team is poised to attend the MLS Cup for the first time in franchise history. RSL needs only to beat the Chicago Fire Saturday, November 14th to move on to the final. That prospect can only sweeten the deal that Checketts has lined up to sell 49% minority interest in his team to Utah real estate developer Dell Loy Hansen. From the outside looking in, this is not a Dan Snyder/Tom Cruise Redskins deal. This is a Real deal (that was bad…I’m sorry)…with a winning team…with respectable player salaries…with a stadium that only cost $110 M (as oppossed to FedEx Field’s $250 M price tag).

Checkett’s soon-to-be partner, Dell Loy Hansen, is president of Wasatch Property Management Inc., a company that boasts a real estate portfolio roughly valued at $1.2 billion. There is talk that Dell’s expertise could help Real develop the property adjacent to Rio Tinto Stadium. Currently that parcel sits in limbo, disquised as a weed infested field.

In addition to his skill set, many hearing of the deal feel optomistic about Dell being a local-yocal. His ties to the community will undoubtedly create friendships and oppportunities for the toddler franchise. Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan told the Deseret News that city officials have been “aware of the purchase and that they are excited about the potential of having a local owner. This is very positive for the team.”

Ownership talk aside, RSL fans are really excited about Saturday’s match at Toyota Park. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM, MST. FSC’s pre-game show begins at 5:30 p.m. Fans may also tune into KACP 570-AM (English) (America First Credit Union First Kick coverage begins at 5:00 PM) and ESPN Deportes 1600-AM (Spanish).

Posted by Sean