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!

I Guarantee that RSL will be here for at least the next 15-20 years. Trust me, I know.

A pretty rash prediction above that RSL will be gone in 5-7 years. I recall everyone saying the same thing about MLS: "Americans don't care about soccer," "The league will dry up and blow away in 2 years," etc. MLS is celebrating which anniversary this year...? Even if your dire and historically unfounded prediction came true, Sandy taxpayers would be out $0 because of the guarantees built into the stadium agreement. The community benefits if the team becomes wildly successful, and the community loses no money if the team were moved or went bankrupt. That doesn't sound like money wasted, it sounds like a secure investment with high potential return. I hope you'll come back on this site in 5-7 years to admit you just hated soccer but knew nothing about economics. RSL, like MLS, will survive and prosper.

...bring 'em on, even if we have to have the SWAT team come out, just get us in that new beauty of a stadium ASAP.

$110 million wasted: If the stadium was a waste of money, was the $150 million Adidas paid for a 10 year contract with the MLS (that includes RSL) a waste too? Nope, it wasn't. In fact, Adidas, just like Huntsman and Sandy, realize how fast the MLS is growing, and the potential for revenue. The league was voted the best league of 2007. Not the NBA, NFL, or MLB, but the MLS. That should mean something.
Also, the writer of the article, and Sandy City, have created their own agenda. Seems they agreed on the Oct. 9th date without consulting the construction crew. Mike's words were taken out of context, and the other managers had no clue this was coming. Some major planning needs to go down by then.
Also, what will happen with my 2008 season tickets for that game? Will I have to purchase separate tickets for the game, or will I be able to just transfer over? I don't think the fans are getting proper treatment here. '09 tickets are higher than NY, DC, and LA. That doesn't seem right...

Thanks Salt Lake County! As a resident of Utah County I appreciate all that you've done to bring soccer to Sandy.

Love the game, love RSL even though they're aren't that great yet. See you at the stadium.

No One Cares,
You have a few typos in your post. It is not soccer that is boring and cheered on by large groups of the drunken sub-educated, it is nascar and baseball.

Maybe you should make your own opinion based upon personal experiance instead of repeating what you hear like a sheep.

I was trying to perpetuate the stereotype placed on soccer fans by "No One Cares"

Sarcasm is apparently hard to pick up on.

Let me fill you uneducated soccer fans on something. LARRY H MILLER LOSES MONEY EACH YEAR ON THE UTAH JAZZ!!! THEY SELL OUT 95% OF THEIR GAMES AND HE STILL DOES NOT MAKE MONEY OFF THE JAZZ. SO DON'T TELL ME SOCCER WILL BE AROUND IN 5-7 YEARS!

A couple of things to think about before complaining about the stadium.

#1 Most of the stadium is being privately financed by development agencies that are publicly traded and therefore often make wise investment decisions.

#2 The $35 million that is being publicly financed by the state via John Huntsman is coming from hotel tax dollars. Which means tourists are paying for the stadium not Utah citizens bank accounts.

#3 The city of sandy agreed to pay $10 million but now that is as little as $5 million because it turns out they actually can't fork out the full $10 million. I don't feel too bad for the citizens of Sandy though because they will get the economic benefits of housing the stadium.

LACK OF VISION UTAH!!! YOU WANT TO BE FARMERS ALL YOUR LIFE OR HAVE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE !!! HOW WONDERFULL IS TO HAVE THIS SOCCER TEAM IN OUR STATE. GO REAL!!!

"Let me fill you uneducated soccer fans on something. LARRY H MILLER LOSES MONEY EACH YEAR ON THE UTAH JAZZ!!!"

Obviously a clueless statement from a clueless non-soccer fan.

Larry H. Miller bought the Utah Jazz in 1986
for $24 million. In 2007, the team was valued (by Forbes) at $342 million. (hmmm, a $318 million increase in value in 21 years)

Revenue for last 10 years (1998-2007):
$80, 48, 87, 88, 87, 85, 88, 91, 96, 114 million

Operating income for last 10 years (1998-2007):
$21, .99, 5, 3, 2, 14, 25, 9, 1, 6 million

If you're going to call other posters "clueless," you should at least have your facts straight.

I love it when people complain about how taxes are spent. If you actually do the math, dividing your annual taxes by the numerous city government department, you will see the small portion that actually come from your bank accounts. People that freak out about the utilization of taxes need to chill.

Larry Miller loses a small amount of money each year on the Jazz. (true). What you are not taking into account is that the Jazz are now worth several hundred dollars more now, then what he paid for it. Long term, Larry has made hundreds of Millions. Real may struggle, but long term will be a good investment. I just hope everyone that is dogging on the stadium refuses to go to all the great sporting events, concerts, and rallies that take place there. You will not be invited.

Baseball sucks. It sucks bad. Let's get rid of the Bees and take all of their funding and put it in to RSL. The reason baseball is America's "pastime" is because it has no future. "The Beautiful Game" is now taking over. I cannot wait to have the new stadium up, and I cannot wait for the day that we can get some friendlies against English Premier League teams during the Summer. The future has never looked brighter.

Why does this surprise anyone?
The next spin message will be about how the project is over budget and they need more welfare.

Nevertheless, true fans of RSL also need to realize the critics stance: the team really is struggling right now. However, does that mean we should abandon them? If that were the case with every pro sports team, Utah would have lost the Jazz at least five or six times. News flash, Salt Lake: the Jazz haven't always made the playoffs. They haven't always made the NBA Finals. The Stockton/Malone era was something of an anomaly.

Do we want to be known as the State of Fickle Fans? Or do we want to be known as a state that sticks by our team, through thick and thin? If you want the MLB, NFL, or any other league to think about moving a franchise to Salt Lake, then be grateful for what you've got!

Yeah that Dave Checketts is a great guy:

Trying asking about Sports West Productions who went bankrupt and Dave walked away.
Tell Video West a division of Bonneville International whose companies include KSL etc that wrote off all the money that good guy Dave owed them.

You know you have a pathetic sport when your games get tape delayed on a Saturday afternoon.

Get a new name for the RSL. Who came up with Real Salt Lake name? Idiot. They do not need an expensive stadium because they stink. Soccer fans find something else to do, learn to love other sports.

You know your sport sucks when the game of the week is Saturday afternoon played in an empty stadium. No one can stand to watch baseball except in October. (And even then everyone is just hoping the Yankees lose...not actually following the sport.)

Hey Checketts will you give your season ticket holders more time to select seats in the new stadium now that yet another delay amoung many will occur? Give your supporters a break!

Call them what they are: exhibition games. To Baseball...LOL: Yeah, I see a lot of empty seats in Chicago, Boston, New York, Detroit, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Call me back when MLS teams average 35,000 or more for your 16 home games that they get for 81 home games.

The success or lack thereof would have little or no effect as to whether or not this area would get an NFL, NHL or MLB franchise. It would be based on corporate dollars available, of which there is little, and the success of the Jazz.

Very clever, yes. That's it I'll just stop liking soccer and learn to love another sport. I think you should be the first to protest Ute Soccer.

Not everybody has to like soccer and nobody is asking you to. Go on and hate it and make your disparaging remarks. Not everyone in Utah likes basketball (the Jazz) or baseball (The Bees)either or even the Runnin' Stinkin' Utes.

The Bee's have less attendance and following than RSL and you hear no one raise a fuss about them. Surely the Bees can draw bigger crowds somewhere else. I won't begin to hide the fact that I hate baseball, but I'm not going to make stupid comments about how all baseball fans need to become soccer fans. Oh and Ute Fan Why don't you learn to become a Cougar?

I like soccer because it actually takes a lot of physical endurance. Unlike baseball or football where there are a lot of fat bodies. And although not continually exciting second by second I love the goals, shots on goals, saves, corner kicks, and penalty kicks.

"The team will probably be gone by Friday."

- Dave Checketts

"PS- Unless you give us a lot of money from tax payers."

When Dave Checketts was trying to convince SL County to fork over some cashola, he claimed he was developing a "Gateway Times Two" development around the stadium. He presented a bunch of drawings. How is "Gateway Times Two" coming along? I'd like to see some stories about that. Especially since, what, 95% of the land around the stadium is already developed? Almost all the buildings in his little "Gateway Times Two" drawings were on land that is already developed.

Thanks for all your comments. You will see how wonderful and benificial from the stadium in the upcoming years and you'll no longer be an anti-hated-futbol whiner.

RSL is moving away from the joe working guys when it comes to ticket prices. Everything keeps going up with RSL except their place in the standings. AGREE 100% Give your supporters a break. 25% down per seat on a unfinished stadium only a quarter way in the season. There isnt enough paying supporters to mess with the ones they have. They are going to loose a lot of support with their hair brained policies. Four years of season tickets and they want me to fork out 5 years worth before 4th is even half done. In addition they dont do anything for the season ticket holders, yeah I got a 1.50 License Plate Frame and a cheap, ugly t shirt. Dave is bitting the hand that feeds him.

RSL leads all other Utah sports teams with the number of posts in the blogs regarding the teams. They beat the Bees, who have only had 1 post since mid May. They beat the Blaze, who only have a handful of posts. They even beat the Jazz, go ahead and count the posts.

So, RSL is the most popular team to blog about in Utah. That is very cool. Doesn't look like they will go anywhere soon.

I love reading the hater's posts. Don't they know they are just making RSL more popular? I love that their posts totally undermine their intent. Keep posting haters; make RSL the most talked about team in Utah.

BTW - Soon more people in the US will realize that soccer is the better sport because of at least the following reasons: they will lose weight by watching soccer (eat less between plays or during time-out); they will lose more weight by playing soccer; scoring in soccer actually means something (who cares about scoring when each team scores 50 times in a game); the games are always less than 2 hours start to finish, in total time people; .....

That's what they said in the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s. Who knows, maybe this time they'll be right, but then again...