Who owns real salt lake

Kimball reiterated that in April , saying all the groups interested in the buying the team have no intentions of moving it. There is no current indication that that sentiment has changed. But the pandemic has thrown a wrench into the process. One source said the groups interested in the team have been cautious of travel to Utah to meet and tour facilities.

But after relying on video conferencing early in conversations, most of the interested groups have made visits in recent months. One of the groups, though, has not yet had its full contingent make a visit to Utah due to the pandemic, a source said. The Orlando sale included Exploria Stadium and its academy system.

Those figures give at least some indication of where the final price for RSL could end up. Entering the season, many who pay close attention to MLS predicted that RSL would finish either close to or right at the bottom of the Western Conference. The front office added former U. The offense has looked more dangerous, although the defense has given up leads and conceded second-half goals several times throughout the season. The front office had to get creative with signings due to not having any discretionary money to acquire players, RSL assistant general manager Tony Beltran told The Tribune.

With Julio, trading Corey Baird brought the finances and international roster spot to acquire the Ecuadorian. But even off the field, RSL has given a concerted effort to change the culture at all levels of the organization.

He views the deals signed with Coca-Cola and the University of Utah Health as major wins in that department. He took over as majority owner in Rumors were circulating surrounding now Utah Jazz majority stake owner Ryan Smith and his interest in potentially purchasing Real Salt Lake. However, after getting a tour of the facilities and meeting with Hansen himself, negotiations have stalled and the two parties are at a standstill. It remains unknown if Smith still has an interest in purchasing Real Salt Lake or if his purchase of the Utah Jazz has succumbed any need to own a soccer franchise.

The future of RSL looks glim. Very little money is coming in and no money is going out. Fitz-Gerald said Hansen was supportive of the idea and it eventually got done. He made several additions in an effort to enhance the fan experience — the Audi Club and Lions Club for well-heeled supporters, and a giant video board on the south end of the stadium.

Altogether, those investments helped turn Rio Tinto into what, at that time, was one of the top soccer venues in MLS. At its peak in , the number of season ticket holders was around 16,, Fitz-Gerald said.

From an attendance standpoint, fans at RSL games declined slightly between and In , the average attendance at Rio Tinto Stadium was 20,, while it was 18, in Last season, the coronavirus pandemic largely prohibited fans in stadiums all over MLS. Fitz-Gerald remembers Hansen not only upgrading the team store at the stadium, but also opening a second location downtown in a high-rise he owned. And he used video billboards outside that Broadway Media Building and Wells Fargo tower — which he also owns — to promote the various clubs.

Hansen added the minor league Monarchs under the RSL umbrella in November of and tried to get the new team its own stadium at the Utah State Fairpark. When that plan fell through, he built and opened the sprawling Zions Bank Real Academy in Herriman that included a training facility, a high school and a 5,seat stadium.

And despite the sordid events of last year, Smith said the city will continue to focus on the good aspects of the partnership. Hansen planned to open a total of eight regional soccer centers across Utah and Arizona. One opened in North Logan in , the Herriman location is another. The others in Utah were slated for St. George, Orem, the Taylorsville area and Ogden. In Arizona, the locations were in Phoenix and Tucson.

Francisco Kjolseth The Salt Lake Tribune RSL Academy in Herriman is integral to the organization and what people involved in it say would be the impact of losing it in an ownership change. Then came Utah Royals FC. Hansen had long been interested in the NWSL and jumped at the opportunity to bring a team to Utah once it became clear — ironically now — that the franchise in Kansas City was folding.

With an assist from Portland Timbers and Thorns owner Merritt Paulson , Hansen unveiled the Royals in and the team started play just four months later.