Checketts gets MLS to expand into Utah

Some six months ago, Dave Checketts was mulling his options for getting back into pro sports with both feet.

The 48-year-old native Utahn who's been the top executive of the Jazz, the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden and its related companies and teams, didn't want to go back to the NBA. "So I began to look at, 'What are the opportunities in sport?' " said Checketts, already chairman of an investment service firm that owns Utah TV production company SportsWest.

Major League Soccer caught his eye. "If you look at all the major leagues and their growth and development, you have to conclude that soccer is finally going to take hold in this country, mostly because of the kind of ownership that these teams have. These are guys who are pretty determined and passionate about it," said Checketts, who decided to join owners like Lamar Hunt, who's involved in three MLS teams, and Denver Nuggets owner Kroenke Sports Enterprises, which also owns the MLS Colorado Rapids.

"The idea struck me that maybe if I jumped in, I could get a foothold and bring a team to Salt Lake," said Checketts. "I spend so much time here, I have so many friends and family and business interests here, that I thought it was a great opportunity."

Six breathless months later — and a year ahead of when he thought he'd be making this kind of announcement — Checketts and his pals in Sports Capital Partners LLC of New York were standing with MLS commissioner Don Garber and others at a well-attended media conference on the sixth floor of Rice-Eccles Stadium to formally announce that the MLS, North America's highest form of pro soccer, has awarded its 12th franchise to Salt Lake as one of two expansion clubs to begin play in April 2005.

The high-profile Checketts is perhaps the biggest reason Utah got that No. 12 franchise over a strong bid from Seattle, said Garber, whose league is experiencing problems in some cities and lost two franchises a couple of years ago but considers itself ready for expansion the next two seasons.

Teams in the league are located in Chicago, Columbus (Ohio), Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington, D.C.; Secaucus, N.J.; and Foxborough, Mass. Present divisions will likely be realigned with the addition of Utah and Chivas, a Mexican team putting a franchise in L.A.

The new Utah team's name, logo, colors and general manager should be announced in August, and a coach is to be named by September. Oddly, at Wednesday's news conference, Garber presented Checketts with a jersey that read "MLS 2005" — and was made in colors very similar to the new Utah Jazz team colors. Checketts said the team would have 15 home matches next season.