Randy Sant, the city's economic-development director, said he was surprised by the announcement. "We feel that Salt Lake County's decision was premature, based on incomplete financial assessments," Sant said.

Corroon said he is still willing to work with Real. The county went through 19 different versions of the original funding plan, but because of high interest payments, none of the plans worked. If someone can come up with a plan to funnel hotel tax dollars to the stadium without costing the county millions, Corroon said he's more than willing to look at it.

The County Council is also interested in exploring other funding plans.

"Two months ago this seemed like a done deal. Not anymore," councilman Mark Crockett said. "This project had merit and still has merit. I would encourage the team to look at other funding models."

But additional funding plans are few and far between.

One option is putting a general obligation bond on the already-crowded November ballot. However, the County Council would have to approve it before the issue goes to voters. Waiting for voter approval would push back stadium construction indefinitely, Corroon said.

For Sandy's part, officials in the city of 90,000 say they have stuck to the original funding plan of $35 million from the county and $10 million from the city. Sandy could not contribute additional RDA funds, because based on the cost of the stadium, state law caps Sandy's RDA money at approximately $10 million.

"We haven't been working on other plans," Sant said.

The city, county and Real have a partnership to build the stadium, Sant said. "But the other partner has not sat down with us to look at other funding options," he added, referring to the county.

Councilman Joe Hatch said possible Sandy funding options should be looked at before the county stops all negotiations with Real.

"I'm not going to defend Real at all," Hatch said. "They've done six or seven really silly things. I call them chowderheads."

"What I'm most concerned about is not Real," he added. "I'm most concerned about our relationship with Sandy city. If there isn't a deal, I want it not because Salt Lake County didn't try its damnedest, not because Sandy city didn't try its damnedest, but because Real didn't try its damnedest."

Bad blood between the county and Real this week had nothing to do with Corroon's decision, Hatch said. Real officials were upset with the county after the team's financial data was leaked to the media last week.