In an interview Thursday, Howes assured that whatever land the county pays for, the county will own. "The county owns the lands. We own the stadium," Howes said.

But county leaders don't believe there is $35 million worth of land and infrastructure to buy. And Corroon insists he won't spend a dime on the stadium.

Another hold-up to the deal is a county-requested review of the team's finances. An independent consultant is currently evaluating Real's financial viability, and a report is expected to be completed sometime in January, deputy district attorney Jerry Campbell said.

Once the study is complete, the county's Debt Review Committee will convene. Corroon insists he will not approve any funding deal without the committee's endorsement.

However, the committee cannot make any decisions without detailed financial data from the team. Real has only given information to the independent consultant, and not to the county, despite repeated requests. In an e-mail to a team official, Willmore said, "Not sending all of your financial data to the DRC, I think, will ensure a negative recommendation from the DRC to the mayor."

Some of the financial data might be protected under Utah's public records law, he added, but some or all might be released.

"That is the price or risk to Real in this process, is that the information would become public," Willmore said. "But it is a necessary risk on Real's part."

Howes said the county will get the information before the independent consultant's report is complete.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com