Thoughts on the Real Salt Lake groundbreaking shock

[Dan Loney]

http://real.saltlake.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68956&vkey=news_rsl&fext=.jsp&team=rsl

"It's not absolutely done, it's still a big act of faith," Checketts said. "But the county has made a very good-faith offer; they have worked hard, they tell me they have the votes on the council to get this done. Particularly Peter Corroon ... wants this to happen, and now I have to trust that he can deliver on what he said he would do."

Now, I'm probably more worried than I should be to read Dave Checketts say it wasn't totally a done deal. For some reason, I thought once there was a groundbreaking, that meant the deal was done. The real estate equivalent of a deal memo being scribbled on a napkin in Trader Vic's, in other words. No takebacks.

Still, this was a franchise on life support a few months/weeks/days/hours ago. Losing yet another franchise that had good fan support but lousy zoning would have been troubling. Not fatal, what with Red Bull and Toronto willing to toss money at MLS, but still a little disappointing. Especially when it comes to a mid-major market, you want to think that the league is making good decisions on franchse placements. Boy, do I love the euphemism "mid-major."

Behold the power of Real Madrid and/or David Beckham. I had made little asides about the Madrid friendly saving the franchise, but I think that was a lot more accurate than I knew. Pretty easy to picture Checketts saying, "Eighty thousand fans. Do you want Utah to get a piece of this action, or shall we take our license to print money elsewhere?" Either that, or Corroon woke up with an Osmond's head in his bed Friday night.

Checketts isn't usually called a visionary sports executive these days, without the qualifier "compared to that dumbass Isiah Thomas," but he had a terrific weekend, didn't he just.

[jbeall]

Seems like a risky move by Checketts, and let's hope he doesn't wind up with egg on his face. When I first saw that they'd had the groundbreaking with Real Madrid stars in tow, but without the deal signed and delivered, my thought was "Damn, Checketts is trying to force the city council's hand... let's hope it works." It's an awfully photogenic stunt to have Beckham helping break ground on a stadium.

And it'll look awfully bad if things don't work out. Let's hope Checkett's gamble pays off.

[SideNetting]

As an RSL outsider, this franchise has really captured my attention. The fan base, the name, the location, the association with Real Madrid, the putrid first year record and the Sandy stadium saga, just to name a few.

I would actually read a book (okay, call me a real soccer geek) on the origins of this franchise and its growing pains.

How on earth did the Real Madrid association come to be? (I'm sure there are old threads dedicated to this topic but there have to be many untold/funny stories of the details of the deal.) How could there be such a miraculous 11th hour (yet homely!) groundbreaking that may turn out to not be an actual groundbreaking? Was Saturday's 'groundbreaking' a negotiating stunt, a pr stunt or truly a moment of relief/joy by Big Dave that he wanted to share with the faithful?

I could really care less one way or another about Beckham, but I thought his expression was priceless at the groundbreaking. It sorta said I'm glad to be here, wherever the hell I am, but this sure seems a bit like amateur hour. But, here's a camera, so I better give my big money smile and these people seem nice enough that I really wish them well.

Or maybe he really is invested in the plight of RSL. Who really knows?

[Northside Rovers]

http://real.saltlake.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68956&vkey=news_rsl&fext=.jsp&team=rsl

"It's not absolutely done, it's still a big act of faith," Checketts said. "But the county has made a very good-faith offer; they have worked hard, they tell me they have the votes on the council to get this done. Particularly Peter Corroon ... wants this to happen, and now I have to trust that he can deliver on what he said he would do."

http://scienceblogs.com/strangerfruit/upload/2006/05/mission-accomplished.jpg

[Blitzz Boy]

As an RSL outsider, this franchise has really captured my attention. The fan base, the name, the location, the association with Real Madrid, the putrid first year record and the Sandy stadium saga, just to name a few.

I would actually read a book (okay, call me a real soccer geek) on the origins of this franchise and its growing pains.

Unfortunately, the title "The Glorious Results of a Misspent Life" is already taken.

How on earth did the Real Madrid association come to be?

Dave Checketts used to be an NBA GM. Presumably, Real Madrid wants to have a guy with a Blackberry full of NBA E Mails owing them a favor in case they need a coach, players, an exhibition with an NBA team, roster spots on D League or Summer League teams for RM basketball players, etc.

(I'm sure there are old threads dedicated to this topic but there have to be many untold/funny stories of the details of the deal.) How could there be such a miraculous 11th hour (yet homely!) groundbreaking that may turn out to not be an actual groundbreaking? Was Saturday's 'groundbreaking' a negotiating stunt, a pr stunt or truly a moment of relief/joy by Big Dave that he wanted to share with the faithful?

Homely welcome? Has the Real Madrid flack taken a look at our old governor Mike Leavitt? Huntsman looks like a Supermodel in comparison.

We locals noticed ultraliberal Democrat Salt Lake City mayor hanging out with paleoconservative Utah State Assembly speaker Tom Dolan.

While I certainly would like to see a signed contract and actual construction equipment moving around dirt; if you can get those 2 guys to agree on something; things look good.


I could really care less one way or another about Beckham, but I thought his expression was priceless at the groundbreaking. It sorta said I'm glad to be here, wherever the hell I am, but this sure seems a bit like amateur hour. But, here's a camera, so I better give my big money smile and these people seem nice enough that I really wish them well.

Or maybe he really is invested in the plight of RSL. Who really knows?

He just wants to make sure that the doormen at Harry O's remember who he is when he comes back for the Sundance Festival.

[Michael CM1]

http://scienceblogs.com/strangerfruit/upload/2006/05/mission-accomplished.jpg

I can't believe nobody in the past 3 years has Photoshopped that banner to read "New York soccer stadium accomplished!" Now it's just no fun that they're actually gonna build it.

[csufguy]

What time today is the council vote?

[Blitzz Boy]

What time today is the council vote?

The meeting is going on now.

[Dan Loney]

Passed 5-4 in a nail-biter, said today's headline. So the franchise is saved...I guess. They'd better get working on the groundbreaking....oh. Well, maybe we are past the point of no return, and Utah is now stuck with the Royals.

Nice work, Mr. Checketts.