From Deseret News archives:

Politicos back Real stadium

Published: Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 9:38 a.m. MDT
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He said he would like to have a solution by Saturday, and if he doesn't, he likely will make an announcement on Monday.

"We have someone ready to represent us to sell the club," he said. "And perhaps the club will be sold to someone even in Utah, perhaps these gentlemen in Utah County who wish to put it on the old Geneva site."

He added: "I don't make any threats because that's not who I am."

Development company Anderson Geneva offered up 30 acres of free land to Real in July, on the old Geneva Steel site in Vineyard. On top of that, investors in Rochester, N.Y., and St. Louis have contacted Major League Soccer about purchasing the franchise.

Mayor Dolan shot down rumors that Sandy might attempt to fund the stadium on its own by raising taxes.

"Absolutely not," he said. The only money available is redevelopment agency dollars, "the tax revenues produced by the project itself," he added. "We have no other revenue streams."

He confirmed that the Salt Lake mayor is now pledging his support for a Sandy stadium, on the conditions that Real still builds a $7.5 million soccer complex in the county and that $45 million in hotel-room tax dollars goes toward a downtown arts district.

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"When I say it's very politically charged, I still believe that," Dolan said. "I think people shot themselves in the foot because they didn't want Sandy to have a soccer stadium."

Mike Mower, spokesman for the governor, said Huntsman wants to keep Real in the state.

"We are still optimistic that a permanent home will be found for professional soccer here in Utah."


E-mail: astowell@desnews.com; ldethman@desnews.com

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