From Deseret News archives:

RSL's books forecast a profit, but county raising questions

Published: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006 10:34 a.m. MST
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According to the financial data provided by Real, the team expects a significant investment from partners. Real owner Dave Checketts's company Sports Capital Partners and Whitehall, a real estate fund of global financier Goldman Sachs, will each own a 50 percent share of the team. Real expects the investors to pitch in a total of $46.6 million next year and continue giving that amount until 2013.

Of note are ticket prices, which will increase in price about 50-percent over seven years. A non-premium ticket during the 2006 season cost $22.31 — and in 2013, that price will jump to $32.85.

That is a middle-of-line price that accounts for inflation, said Gary Reimer, chief financial officer for Utah Soccer, which encompasses Real, the stadium and radio station. "Every team that's built a new stadium has raised ticket prices."

In addition, Real plans to earn revenue from significant attendance increases. Real has attracted fewer than 10,000 fans during the 2005 and 2006 seasons but projects a 29 percent increase to 15,414 by 2008, when the stadium opens. According to the team's projections, those numbers will continue to grow until 2013, when Real predicts they will level out.

Real also hopes to annually host an MLS playoff game in the new stadium and numerous concerts, from 11 in 2008 to 18 in 2013. A playoff game will bring 20,347 fans, while a concert will bring in 17,500 people, according to the model.

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Howes contends that those are not overly rosy predictions. "We wouldn't put a number down we think we couldn't deliver," he said.

Doug Willmore, the county's chief administrative officer, said those estimates are one of the main items ERA will delve into, and it will take weeks to fully analyze the information.

"Every one of those assumptions has to be tested and proven," Willmore said.

The county will examine the financial report's underlying assumptions, the team's capital structure and the solidity of its investors, and the team's debt structure, he said.

So far, the team has not made money since it began operating in 2004. But Real will start turning a net profit in 2010, two years after the proposed 136-acre soccer stadium and adjoining hotel and broadcast studio are built.

Taking into account earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) and debt service, the team will show a profit in 2008, the year revenue will be collected on the project.

Howes said Monday that the team wants to open the stadium on July 4, 2008. Construction is scheduled to begin in January or February of next year.


E-mail: astowell@desnews.com

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Participants in Monday's meeting at Real headquarters include, left, David Kerschner, senior vice president of SCP Worldwide; Gary Reimer, CFO of Real Salt Lake; and Dean Howes, CEO of Real Salt Lake.

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