The complex will be largely funded by the $15.3 million bond, but the bond was drafted in a way that $7.5 million was needed from a private entity. Checketts criticized the fact that the bond was approved nearly four years ago and said it was "dead" when he came upon it in 2005.

He provided a document dated Nov. 6, 2006, that showed new total estimates for the sports complex at more than $42 million. Because of those soaring costs, he said, the city has significantly scaled back plans for the complex, and it will no longer be world-class.

Checketts, with his wife Deb sitting next to him, said he called the press conference Wednesday to clear his name. He said he felt blindsided by Anderson, a close friend, and felt he was personally attacked by the capital city mayor.

"This should have been the cause for celebration and everybody toasting each other instead of roasting each other," Anderson said, noting he was a huge advocate of Checketts and Real but now feels a sense of betrayal. "This is one of the toughest times I've had as mayor, to have to have this kind of public dispute come up with somebody I really felt was a friend but who I also strongly feel has tried to dodge earlier commitments."

But Real's incentive-free $7.5 million to the city came at a cost. An elite sports academy established with Real Madrid has been advertised as being in Salt Lake. Checketts said the team will now look for land elsewhere.

"Why is that all of a sudden up in the air? That was never up in the air before. That was always a firm commitment," Anderson said.

Meanwhile, a group of Jordan River activists and recreation enthusiasts argue the sports complex should go someplace else entirely.

The group says the complex would negatively impact the river corridor and "take away various forms of recreational use," Great Salt Lakekeeper Jeff Salt said Tuesday. The location is also at risk for flooding, he added.

Checketts said he is out of negotiations now.

"Where they put it is up to them," he said. "This is his (Anderson's) project now. Not mine."

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E-mail: astowell@desnews.com