But Real CEO Dean Howes takes issue with that idea. He said the hotel-tax money should be able to buy land underneath the stadium, since land for sports venues, like the Delta Center and Franklin Covey Field, were purchased with public money.

"It's pretty common," Howes said. "You know what, land is land, and whoever owns it owns it. We are still working on all of that."

Both fans and local leaders alike didn't think the deal would ever happen. Even Checketts said his mind wasn't made up until late Friday, when he shocked his investors with the news the team would build in Sandy.

Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, who has been working on funding proposals in his city for over a year, was ecstatic about the news.

"Honestly, the emotions I'm feeling are similar to when my first son was born," Dolan said. "I just want you to know that Dave Checketts is the man."

In an effort to land a deal before Checketts' deadline, Real rallied numerous Republican and Democratic leaders earlier this week. In a surprise move, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson dropped his idea for a stadium at the Utah State Fairpark and lobbied county leaders to support a funding plan for the Sandy site.

"I think Mayor Anderson played an important role," said House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy. "For those of you that follow Utah politics, it's not often that Mayor Rocky Anderson and Speaker Greg Curtis come together and say, 'This is the right thing for this state at this time.' And it's a great thing."

Anderson said he was disappointed the stadium didn't ultimately end up in the capital city, but he said left-over hotel-tax dollars could fund some of his pet projects, like a downtown performing arts center. After spending $20 million for the stadium, the county will have another $45 million to divvy out, according to the county's Willmore.

"I think (Salt Lake City) would be the best place" for a stadium, Anderson said. "But we're going to get a great investment. There's huge benefits to Salt Lake City and huge benefits to the state.

"If these opportunities had been passed by and we said no to this soccer complex, that would have been passing up on millions."

The county has turned down several funding plans in the past four months, but Corroon said what prompted him to give his stamp of approval on the latest deal is the fact the county would receive $27.5 million back in cash and in-kind contributions from Real. That money would come from parking and ticket revenue, youth soccer and a gift of $7.5 million to Salt Lake City from Real to build a soccer complex in the city.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said the state will also capitalize on Real Salt Lake, especially through major events like Saturday's game against Real Madrid.