"It's hard for me to comprehend," Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde said Monday. "Why can't they use that money [bound for the youth fields] to do this soccer deal if they are so anxious to get this soccer stadium done?"

The donation, announced Saturday by RSL owner Dave Checketts, also raised an eyebrow of County Mayor Peter Corroon, who last week rejected the team's public-funding proposal for a stadium.

"If $7.5 million is going to youth soccer, might some of it go toward the stadium?" Corroon asked. "I'm wondering where the different pots of money are coming from."

Checketts emphasizes RSL always has been committed to youth soccer in Utah - he pledges more fields in the shadow of the proposed 20,000-seat Sandy stadium - and says the money will pave the way for dozens of fields near 2200 North and Interstate 215, to be dubbed, perhaps, the Real Family Practice Facility.

In 2003, voters narrowly approved a $15 million bond for the complex, which will include some 28 fields for soccer, baseball and softball once environmental studies are complete.

Rick Graham, public services director for Salt Lake City, notes the $7.5 million meets the required match to trigger the $15 million bond.

"This is a great opportunity if in fact it can work," Graham said.

Dean Howes, RSL's chief executive officer, says he has not heard concerns about the donation from any public leader, adding that funding practice fields and negotiating a stadium deal are unrelated.

"I don't have any comment," Howes said.

Later, though, Howes said RSL is trying to support what the community is seeking for youth soccer as well as provide the team a place to practice.

Even county officials questioning RSL's gift concede the money is going to a worthy cause.

County Councilman Joe Hatch likes the idea. He argues the $7.5 million is not investment capital, but rather part of RSL's business model envisioned for youth soccer.

Hatch says the money also may be intended to "pay back Salt Lake City, in essence, for losing the stadium."

For months, team officials have expressed a desire to support youth soccer, including a possible financial investment in Utah's capital. But Corroon says he did not know when it would come nor did he know the amount as stadium negotiations skidded to a halt last week.

"It's interesting [RSL] would be able to find $7.5 million for that endeavor at this time," said County Councilman Jim Bradley, adding he is surprised given the delicacy of the funding situation. "It's all very curious."

Bradley wonders if the move still will allow the team to fund fields near a stadium and whether the county "is going to have to pay for it."

Corroon plans to huddle today with his staff, Hatch and a lobbyist who works for RSL, Sandy and the county to discuss possible stadium proposals.

If Sandy, the state or another party can come up with $10 million to cover upfront interest, Hatch says the financing numbers "would work."

However, members of the county's Debt Review Committee question whether that extra funding boost would be enough to make the stadium bond feasible.

"Nobody wants to put a great deal of political capital on the table if Peter's already made his decision," Hatch said. "That's the issue."

Corroon says he is waiting for a palatable plan that he can present to taxpayers.

djensen@sltrib.com

In other soccer developments

Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts says the team intends to host international exhibitions every year and joked Saturday that Real Madrid superstar David Beckham could perhaps "put the first shovel in the ground" for a new stadium in Sandy. Checketts said his decision to hold this summer's "friendly" in Provo at LaVell Edwards Stadium is "nothing personal against Salt Lake County."

"Real Madrid is not going to play on temporary grass or turf or pretend grass," he said referring to the University of Utah's 45,000-seat Rice-Eccles Stadium. "We just want to make sure they're here. And it takes grass and it takes seats." Brigham Young University's stadium has natural grass and 20,000 more seats.

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon says the Provo move is not a "deal-killer," with regard to public funds for a soccer stadium, "but it certainly would make us think twice."

After vowing a legal fight to keep its business model sealed, RSL still has not filed an appeal with the District Attorney's Office. The deadline expires today. Team officials have insisted its 10-year operating model, which was leaked to reporters, is proprietary. They also have threatened legal action against the leaker. But as of Monday, neither action was filed, meaning Corroon may make the document public.

The Sandy City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on setting up a Community Development Project - the mechanism that will enable the city to raise millions in property taxes - for the proposed stadium site.

The proposal includes the team's land plus 20 adjacent acres. The project also will cross 9400 South to include an expansion of BD Medical.

- Derek P. Jensen and Jacob Santini