MLS Commissioner Reassures Real Salt Lake Is Staying In Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – During Major League Soccer’s annual State of the League address, MLS Commissioner Don Garber reassured that Real Salt Lake will be staying in Utah.

RSL Is Staying In Utah

“There is no absolutely plan whatsoever to move that team,” Garber said.

Garber’s comments come following a tumultuous time for the RSL organizations. Owner Dell Loy Hansen is selling the team after allegations surfaced regarding his racist and sexist behavior.

Following the allegations, the league issued an immediate investigation. Garber confirms that the investigation has concluded and that the findings will be released following the conclusion of the upcoming MLS Cup final scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 12th.

#MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league has concluded the investigation of the toxic work environment discovered at #RSL.

The league will announce the results after #MLSCup

— Glenn Crooks (@GlennCrooks) December 8, 2020

Conversations between Hansen and Garber have been productive, according to Garber. The conversations relate directly to the investigation surrounding Hansen and the impending sale of Utah Soccer Holdings.

On November 16th it was reported that Hansen has until January 8th to sell his entities before the league intervenes. However, Garber suggested that it is “more than likely” that the league will take over the sale within the next 30 days.

“MLS is prepared to take over the sales process of Real Salt Lake and Utah Soccer Holdings,” Garber said. “Our right to take over the sales process is soon. It’s more likely than not we’ll assume that role in the next 30 days or so.”

$1 Billion Revenue Loss

Furthermore, MLS will report more than a $1 billion loss in revenue for 2020 as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.

“We are concerned as to what this will look like heading into 2021,” Garber said. “I don’t think any business could sustain what we sustained in 2020 two years in a row.”

2021 Season Starting On Time

The 2021 season will begin on time with an “early to mid-March start,” according to Garber despite speculation that the global pandemic may prolong the start of the 2021 season.

#MLS Commissioner Don Garber on stance w/ starting ‘21 season in early/mid-March

“We need to make a schedule for all the reasons that you would expect. We can’t wait for an understanding of the impact of the vaccine…we’re not going to know. We have to schedule prior to that.”

— Drake Hills (@LiveLifeDrake) December 8, 2020

RSL is hopeful that they can climb back up the Western Conference following a 2020 campaign in which RSL finished second to last in the conference.

Manager Freddy Juarez is expected to remain at the club with assistant coach Tyrone Marshall the only assistant to remain on staff for the 2021 season. Director of Goalkeeping Todd Hoffard and assistant coach Steffen Siebert were relieved of their duties last week.

However, very important decisions on the future of certain players remain. Including club captain and legend Kyle Beckerman who remains out of contract ahead of the 2021 season.

Without an owner, RSL is unlikely to add many players to its current roster ahead of the 2021 season. Making the impending timing of the club sale paramount. The sooner the club is sold the faster it can progress forward.