UHSAA and Rio Tinto cannot come to agreement

MIDVALE — The honeymoon isn't just over, the Utah High School Activities Association and Real Salt Lake never even made it to the altar.

With just two issues to iron out — parking and signage — the UHSAA found out that Rio Tinto Stadium officials will not be able to accommodate several of the scheduled 4A and 5A state championship games this spring, as well as several next fall for the girls tournament.

"We had the dates scheduled with them, all we had to do was finalize the contracts," assistant executive director Bart Thompson told the Executive Committee Wednesday. "I was sitting at home watching television when an ad came on for the Eagles. Being an Eagles fan, I watched and then I saw the date — May 9."

That just happened to be the same date scheduled for the 2A and 3A boys soccer finals.

Thompson said Real officials said they scheduled the concert because the contracts weren't actually signed. Thompson said he was assured the rest of the dates were secure.

"Then last Thursday I got an e-mail saying we couldn't play all the games we needed because the National Women's team was playing on one of our dates," he said. Real officials offered the UHSAA a free day of finals for 4A and 5A to make up for the problem.

And finally, a couple of days later, Thompson noticed that Oct. 24 is the team's final home game, which was also supposed to be four games of the 4A/5A girls tournament.

"As much as we wanted to go there, and while it would give us a big-game feel and would elevate soccer, I don't know that it's a reliable place to even do business with," said Thompson before the vote.

Instead of holding just the finals at Rio Tinto, the group voted not to hold any of the playoff games at Rio Tinto.

"We get what the message is and it's loud and clear," said executive director Dave Wilkey. "We are way down the priority list."

Bill Manning, president of Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium, said they were disappointed that the UHSAA would not hold the finals at the stadium.

"Our frustration is that this has been going on for months," said Manning. "I wish this contract was signed months ago so we'd be obligated to host the games...We didn't have a contract signed, and we've got to look out for the best interest of the field. Our fear is that if we hold dates, and then something changes, we're not losing out on opportunities to book dates."

Manning said he's surprised the UHSAA didn't take the offer of a free stadium for the finals.

"We wanted to do just the finals and we were willing to do it rent free," he said. "I can't think of a better deal, I can't think of better situation...It would be a thrill for the kids."

Manning said he hopes the UHSAA's Executive Committee will reconsider.