In Murray, Mayor Dan Snarr agrees the new legislation makes it difficult for a stadium deal to work. While Murray is moving forward with the Fireclay RDA area — at 4500 South and State Street — any stadium in the district wouldn't be eligible for RDA funds.

"The time may come when they (Real Salt Lake) just say it's not worth our time, forget it," Snarr said.

While city leaders may be disappointed, some Murray residents were happy with the new law. Resident Lee Brinton said the city should not have to subsidize a private project of any kind.

"If it makes sense to do the project, they should do it on their own nickel," he said. "There's a big question mark as to whether this thing even makes sense financially for the city."

Howes notes that virtually every major sports stadium in America is built, at least partially, with public funds. While some have been boondoggles, others have been great economic generators for the surrounding community.

Howes said his organization needs to do a better job educating residents and the Salt Lake County Council about the benefits a new Real Salt Lake stadium could have. Howes said the team is still seeking to place the stadium on a countywide bond vote in 2005 or 2006. Then voters could decide whether they want their tax dollars to support the stadium, Howes said.

For its first two years, the team will play at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium. Howes maintains the 45,000-seat stadium is too large and the field isn't configured correctly for soccer.

The team, he said, needs a smaller, 22,000-seat arena to create the proper atmosphere to build a fan base within the community.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com