Major League Soccer Has Ability To Terminate Dell Loy Hansen’s Ownership Stake

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen has found himself in hot water following his comments towards the decision of his players to cancel last night’s game against LAFC.

Nedum Onuoha and Zac MacMath explained why the decision was made via a Zoom conference call last night.

The two detailed how a conversation between them took place at around 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon, after word started circulating that the NBA is considering cancelling it’s scheduled playoff games that evening, Onuoha and MacMath quickly decided that it was in their best interest if the game does not occur. They then approached the rest of the playing group, in which they unanimously agreed that they do not want to play. The game was subsequently cancelled.

The Comments

This morning on Radio From Hell, a radio show on X96, Mr. Hansen shared his thoughts on the actions of his players.

“The disrespect was profound to me, personally,” Hansen said. “It has taken a lot of wind out of my sails on how much I want to invest in the team,” he added.

DLH – "it's taken a lot of wind out of my sails on how much I want to invest in the team – buying players and building the team." #RSL

WOW.

— Jake (@bjakesimons) August 27, 2020

Immediate Outrage

The backlash was almost immediate from the public and notable celebrities across the country.

Former RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando chimed in by stating – “Real Salt Lake’s locker room, fans and front office that stand for equality, human rights, and the fight against racism I applaud you.”

Wow just wow! I can’t even right now. @realsaltlake locker room, fans, and front office that stand for equality, human rights, and the fight against racism I applaud you. I am disgusted by DLH comments. This is more than a game. https://t.co/PDYsD6hvKK

— Nick Rimando (@NickRimando) August 27, 2020

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell added that he is in full support of the Real Salt Lake players and recommended Dell Loy Hansen should sell the team.

WOW… if it’s taken “the wind” out then sell the team… I stand with @realsaltlake players ✊🏾💯 https://t.co/Xym06Lpy8n

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 27, 2020

It has been reported by Jake Simons, host of the popular RSL Show Podcast, that the RSL players and management are expected to meet to further discuss the comments made and what the future entails.

Ownership Terminated

Major League Soccer may have to get involved if it hasn’t already.

In fact, the league does have a process by which they can terminate the ownership interest of a particular individual if “by a two-thirds vote of the board, an operator/investor is determined to have failed to act in the best interests of the league.”

If Hansen does have his ownership contract terminated by the league, he will then be required to “pay such operator/investor fair market value for its operating rights and ownership interest,” the contract states.

Also, @MLS does have a process by which they can terminate the ownership interest of a particular individual. I came across this information by happenstance and thought I would pass it along. Seemed interesting, is all. #MLS #RSL pic.twitter.com/0LcA7f82lV

— Miki Turner (@turneresq) August 27, 2020

Real Salt Lake is yet to make any public statement regarding the comments made by its owner. KSLSports.com will have updates throughout the day pending any news that falls regarding the current situation.