Next move for Real? Team is looking at options as county denies stadium funds

"We're going to take a deep breath, then find out if there are any other communities in the market that will take the team," Garber said. "Then if not that, I've got to take a look elsewhere."

Garber said Anderson's Fairpark proposal was "attractive," as the stadium would be in an urban environment with a diverse fan base and a strong political supporter in the Salt Lake City mayor.

"It seems like Rocky really believes in the sport, and those are the type of people we want to work with," Garber said, adding he was displeased with the political maneuvering of the County Council.

County Councilman Mark Crockett, who voted against the proposal, said his vote was nothing against soccer — he admits he's a fan — but he thought Real was asking for too much money.

Asked if he was concerned his vote could have sent the team packing, Crockett said, "At one level, of course we'd like them to stay, but it's not our problem."

State lawmakers recently passed legislation allowing counties to use hotel-tax dollars for tourism projects, and councilman Randy Horiuchi said Tuesday that the bill only passed because the Legislature wanted Salt Lake County specifically to use the money for a soccer stadium.

Curtis, the speaker of the House, has said he will not punish the County Council for opting not to use the hotel-tax dollars for a stadium project. He already has a back-up plan for what the money could be used for: a light-rail expansion to the Salt Lake City International Airport.

"There is $90 million there, and that's a pretty good start on a $240-million project," Curtis said regarding the hotel-tax money. "That way we wouldn't have to raise as much taxes."

Even so, Wilde said he is worried about the political fallout for his vote against Sandy's proposal.

"It's certainly not my desire to poke (the Legislature) in the eye, but when all is said and done, you've got to do what you feel is the right thing to do," said Wilde, who is up for re-election in November. "I'm not going to lose any sleep feeling like I didn't do what I felt in my heart was right."

The County Council's vote came on the same day as Real's game at Rice-Eccles against the Virginia Beach Mariners, where fans were upset about the possibility of losing their home team.

Before the Real Game, Peter Hein, a Sandy resident who is a former president of Utah Youth Soccer Association, listened to a statement by Real Owner Dave Checketts on his car radio. Hein said he is disappointed by the council's "short-sightedness."

"If I were Dave Checketts, I'd say, 'All right, guys, I'll see you later,' " said Hein.

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Contributing: Kersten Swinyard, Jens Dana

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com, astowell@desnews.com