RSL Stadium Deal Passes

Only a week removed from talks of relocating the team, Real Salt Lake's stadium deal has won final approval this afternoon from the Utah House. The $110 million stadium, to be located in Sandy, makes RSL the ninth team in the league to have or have plans for a soccer-specific stadium, a component that the MLS sees as crucial for a team to become profitable. Only D.C., Houston, Kansas City and New England lack a SSS.
Last week, RSL owner Dave Checketts had threatened to sell the team to a group of St. Louis investors if a deal could not be reached. Now, St. Louis will have to look elsewhere for their team.

As part of the deal, RSL would also team up with Real Madrid in establishing an elite soccer academy, probably in the capital. There's no word yet if Fabio Capello plans to make a yearly trip to the academy to belittle the children, but I'm sure he couldn't refuse such an opportunity.