It's opening day of the 2005 Major League Soccer season at Rice-Eccles Stadium, and to promote its newest franchise in Utah, the league brings D.C. United and teenage phenom Freddy Adu in town.
A dream right? It's actually more realistic than soccer fans think.
Developments within the last four days have vaulted Utah to the front of the pack for one of two MLS expansion teams in 2005.
According to a reliable source, former Utah Jazz president David Checketts has paid $1 million for the rights to a potential MLS franchise in Salt Lake City — even though there's no guarantee.
"Checketts has risked a lot of money," said Utah Blitzz co-owner Eric Jacobsen, who purchased a portion of the franchise two months ago. "I pursued an MLS team in Utah for a year and a half because I thought it would be good for Utah. That doesn't change whether I'm leading the efforts or not."
When Jon and Robert Garff, of the Ken Garff Automotive Group, along with Jacobsen purchased 75 percent of the Blitzz from then co-owners Chris Agnello and Staci McNicol a few months ago, they had a long-term vision of bringing an MLS team to Utah. MLS commissioner Dan Garber even visited Salt Lake City in early April to discuss the future of professional soccer in Utah. Apparently, the Blitzz owners even had a handshake deal with Garber for the rights to any MLS team in Utah.
"I love sports, and I love the state of Utah, and I just thought it would be a great fit," said Jacobsen. At the same time, he understands why the MLS went with Checketts, and it wasn't just about money. "He clearly has more sports experience than me. I'm a software guy and an entrepreneur."
The April meeting with Garber vaulted Salt Lake City into the MLS picture.
Speaking with media members in Chicago two weeks ago, Garber said the league is close to announcing its two 2005 expansion teams, possibly within the next two weeks. One will be Chivas USA, an American extension of Mexico's most popular club team. Chivas will most likely be based in Chicago or Los Angeles.
The second franchise will be chosen from a shortlist including Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City.
"(Utah) is very actively looking at building a soccer stadium and have made a lot of progress with discussions with a handful of local municipalities," said Garber. "They'd have a temporary solution in addition to (that). Those are discussions that are new, but there are some real possibilities there, and we like that market."
Originally though discussions were with the new Blitzz co-owners.
Now Checketts and his deep pockets have entered the equation. His presence has altered the MLS landscape so much, that according to a story on a British soccer website, "Salt Lake City is the bookies favorite."
According to a source, the MLS is dead-set on having two MLS expansion teams ready for the 2005 season, and is ready to award the second franchise to whatever city puts together the best bid the quickest. For Utah, that includes playing in Rice-Eccles Stadium until a soccer specific stadium is built within a couple of years. And that's the key. Jacobsen says if Checketts can come up with a plan to get a soccer specific stadium built, he believes the MLS will flourish in Utah.
What does all of this mean to the Blitzz. The organization isn't quite sure. They've had discussions with Checketts in the past, but nothing ever came of them. There's the possibility of the teams pairing up to form an affiliate.
"There's probably on advantage to having him lead the efforts to bring a team here," said Jacobsen.
Checketts was the president of the Utah Jazz from 1984 to 1990, but resigned to become the New York Knicks club president. Four years later, he was promoted to president and chief executive officer of the Madison Square Garden in New York City. He resigned after the 2001 season.
The 36-game MLS season runs from April to October, with 10 teams. The league wants to expand to 16 teams by 2010.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com