Reader comments
Sandy officials: RSL stadium won't be ready for projected October opener

The hard working and generous people of Sandy get the priviledge of involuntarily transferring 10 million, or so, dollars from their bank accounts to Dave Checketts bank account.

And the industrious and thrifty citizens of the Beehive State graciously hand over 50 million, or so, to Dave Checketts, via the directive of Good King John and his minnions.

This is just like Robinhood, only backwards.

The stadium would be a great place for Jon-boy Huntsman to have his "I listen to the people" campaign rally.

Socialism??? Don't you mean that the local business get to have several hundred thousand more potential customers due to wise investment by their local government? I know several business owners who have been waiting for the first events to happen since the site was announced. But I guess things like job creation, increased business, long term growth of what was a vacant field into a thriving part of the community will simply upset some people.

I guess the close to 70 million that Dave is putting up in this project don't count, he is taking a lot more risk than anyone else in this, but clearly you only see what you want to see. Which is why so much of this state is stuck in the mire, a total lack of vision. Shame.

Boo-Hoo. Another ignorant comment from another uniformed whiner. Get over it already.

I am a fan of soccer and especially love RSL, but I have grown tired of Checketts and his entitlement displayed throughout the process of bringing RSL to Utah and the subsequent fiasco over mis-directed funds. From his pot-shots at Larry Miller to the drama of having Beckham turn the dirt at "OUR" stadium, Checketts has alienated me as a fan and member of the community. He is used to getting his way and his Madison Square Garden type ego is too large for the Wasatch Front. It's extremely unfortunate that my daily drive past this beautiful stadium reminds me less of soccer and more of how Dave probably sits in his office overlooking the architectual model sniding to himself, "Checketts-mate."

If you had, you'd notice that the public part of the investment is completely protected. If the team survives, the public gets to reap the continuous benefits of increased tax revenues. If the team folds or moves, the public money will be refunded in full.

Next time get a clue before you sit down at the keyboard.

Isn't socialism wonderful: You at a minimum didn't read the article and at a maximum don't understand what a Community Development Area is under state law.

Can we stop hearing from all the whiners about this deal already? Get over it already. (You are wrong-by the way)

LOL! I got my stadium, and you are paying for it!

I appreciate you taking time to read about the new ReAL stadium, do me a favor though, next time you want to make a comment please inform yourself of what is really going on with the stadium, where the money is coming from and who it will go back too. You are seriously mis-informed! Maybe you could get together with "U R Clueless" he could teach you a thing or two!

Hmmm,

I wonder if other Sandy businesses are able to occupy their establishments and sell goods and services before their space is complete. Sounds like another perk Checketts. Since they can have a game on Oct. 9 in an unfinished stadium, will Sandy leaders get a big bonus this year?

Obviously a comment from the "any government is bad government" crowd. Push your ideology to the side for a moment.

This new stadium will benefit business owners in the area, create a higher profile for the community, thrill fans, and give the team a boost. Who loses?

You just wait, I guarantee RSL will not be around in 5-7 years. What a waste of money.

It isn't too soon,

It is simply that Soccer in general is too boring and RSL is too bad for this stadium.

I am sure $110M can build a wonderful stadium, now they need a product to put in there.

Does anyone really care about MLS? Soccer is a boring, mostly scoreless game that is cheered on in foreign countries by large groups of sub-educated, drunken thugs. Just what we need in the USA.

This stadium is a bullcrap money grab by greedy Checketts (remember how he whined and said he'd take his team and go somewhere else when the people spoke? I wish he had left). I will never step foot in that place, nor will I even go near it or spend a dime with any of those businesses nearby....the traffic is already horrible in that area and now it's going to be even worse. Our elected officials did this for themselves and no doubt are being compensated under the table.

Who is going to refund the money if it folds? A broke owner? Can you fire sale a stadium?

I am so excited for the stadium. People do not realize what a benefit this stadium will be in their community. Everyone needs to look at it from both perspectives, do not be biased. I was against the stadium for a while until I decided to get the facts for myself. Too many people are closed-minded.

Since 8:55 knows what's going to happen in 5-7 years (and he guarantees it too!), maybe you can tell me which stocks I should invest in? Or how much oil will cost?

Based on the fact that RSL continues to be among the league leaders in attendance, you'll forgive me if I don't share your sentiment.

And in the event that RSL is gone in 5-7 years, the public funds will be refunded 100%. So what have you got to lose? I promise RSL won't take away your psychic abilities.

People, there's no such thing as a bankruptcy-proof contract. Sure the bankrupt entity might technically still be on the hook, but good luck trying to recoup any money from it.

And trust me, Checketts and his legal team will not be tied to subject to bad debt.

I too love soccer and rarely miss a home RSL match, but let's call this what it is... old-fashioned corporate welfare.

That said, beat the Goats!