This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Scolding Utah politicians for a smear campaign to assassinate his integrity, Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts nonetheless promised Wednesday to "deliver a financial instrument" for $7.5 million within 30 days so Salt Lake City can float its $15.3 million bond for a youth sports complex near Rose Park.
"This is about clearing someone's name," a defensive and emotional Checketts told reporters. "There are absolutely no strings attached to what we are doing. And we ask for nothing, and I mean nothing, in return."
At the same time, the RSL owner said, "there is no question" the attacks against the team signal a personal vendetta by Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who Checketts insists still is angry the $110 million soccer stadium is going to Sandy and not the Utah State Fairpark.
Anderson calculated "if he piled on, he could shame me into doing this," Checketts said.
The mayor - who last week asserted "everybody's been deceived," by RSL's efforts to recast its $7.5 million pledge for the sports park - expressed regret for Wednesday's tone. He also denied "smearing" Checketts - before taking some more swipes.
"It's great that we're finally at this point where Real is going to live by their word," he said, adding if he ever deals with Checketts again, "I'd like to get it in writing.
"I'm not sure [if he'll come through within 30 days]. If it were two or three months ago, I would have said, absolutely."
Emotions inflamed on the subject after Checketts submitted a letter April 17 to Anderson that outlined conditions - including revenue, naming rights and land - for RSL's $7.5 million pledge. Team officials insist the payment always was to be an investment, while city and some state leaders deemed it a donation and accuse RSL of a bait and switch.
What's more, City Attorney Ed Rutan notes, any arrangement that paid RSL more than 5 percent of proceeds from the complex would violate federal tax law since the facility primarily would be funded by a tax-exempt bond.
For the past week, a chorus of criticism, including cries of greed, echoed from power brokers (especially mayoral candidates) to the public to the blogosphere.
Checketts, who said he was "blindsided" by the storm, noted the politicians who piled on were not privy to the "many hours" of negotiations on the complex.
And on Wednesday, the owner produced documents from meetings in May and November of last year that suggest city officials and the management team for the complex discussed the possible conditions for the payment.
A draft memorandum of understanding gives naming rights and control of concessions to RSL, while Checketts notes parking revenue and additional land for an elite soccer academy always were discussed.
"From the very first meeting, we were very consistent in what involvement we would need to make it happen," Checketts said. "I figured this was a huge win for the mayor. His project, which was dead, would now be revived."
However, Anderson argues discussions do not an agreement make.
Even Checketts acknowledged there was not full disclosure of any terms on Capitol Hill before the Legislature approved the stadium-funding package in February.
House Minority Leader Ralph Becker has said he "never had an inkling" there were strings attached to the payment. Had lawmakers known, he said, the stadium-funding bill likely would have died.
Checketts explained that RSL faced a "tough week," back then with the team under pressure to sell or move to St. Louis. But, he said, he told some lawmakers he still would pay the $7.5 million for the youth fields.
"I guess I was under the mistaken notion that Rocky and I had a really clear understanding of all these negotiations," Checketts said.
Anderson conceded Wednesday there were discussions all along but said there "never, ever" was a quid pro quo agreement. And he questioned why RSL officials, as savvy businessmen, would not have placed the terms in writing from the outset.
Indeed, language in RSL's business plan and a promotional insert refer to the payment as a "contribution."
Checketts says he always expected the negotiations to be complex - he notes land for the academy with Real Madrid still must be found near 2200 North between Redwood Road and Interstate 215. But he takes issue with the "scaled-back" project - inflation and construction costs have cut the 30 fields to 20 - saying "it's not going to be what the voters were promised in 2003."
That said, "they're going to get the $7.5 million," Checketts vowed. "Where they put it is up to them."
Mike Mower, spokesman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., praised the promise.
"Dave Checketts and Real Salt Lake are to be applauded. They made a commitment to youth soccer in Utah and they are following through with it. And they merit the thanks of our community and soccer fans young and old throughout our state."
Despite the detente, Anderson says the episode "really saddens me."
"I've always considered Dave Checketts a friend."