From Deseret News archives:
Checketts says soccer will bring jobs, million$
The franchise, which will begin play in the MLS next year, will create 200 new jobs and have a $179 million economic impact over the next decade, he said.
"That's what professional sports should do. It should create jobs. It should create economic benefits," Checketts said during the annual meeting of the Economic Development Corp. of Utah.
Other benefits include live national and international television appearances. "And that will give the city, its beauty in the summer, surrounded by these mountains, that will give the city just tremendous exposure," he said.
Checketts is hoping businesses catch the spirit of the new team by signing up as partners, sponsors and season-ticket buyers. The team will serve to unite soccer fans and boost the economy, he said.
"It really is going to be a major league effort," he said, "and I've always considered Salt Lake City as a major league city."
He's also hoping to build the franchise the same way the Utah Jazz grew after he took over as Jazz president and general manager in 1983. At the time, the Jazz were not profitable, attracted only about 6,000 fans a night with a season-ticket base of 1,500 and faced continuous questions about a possible departure. Now the team is a source of pride, a successful business playing in a larger arena and a permanent and beneficial part of the economy and community, Checketts said.
His time with the Jazz and as president and chief executive officer of New York's Madison Square Garden — with three sports franchises — taught him certain lessons he said he will apply to the soccer franchise.
"You just cannot expect people to come out out of their sense of community support, suddenly buy tickets and attend your games," he said. "You have to have appropriate pricing, a compelling product, and you have to be a big part of the community and give back in a very big way."
The team will announce its name, unveil its logo and name a coach and general manager soon — all in preparation for its April-to-November schedule next year.
Checketts promised "no Z's" from the franchise: The name will not include Zs at the end and there will be "no sleeping when you're in the stadium."
