Huntsman is expected to declare his support for Utah's newest sports team, Real Salt Lake, and a commitment to search for a unique way to subsidize its stadium.

That would level the playing field between Murray and Salt Lake City - the only two cities vying to score the team - after a bill passed the 2005 Legislature that essentially prevents the capital city from buying a downtown block for the sports venue.

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber - in town from New York to sell Utah politicians and business leaders on the 10-year-old league and RSL - said Wednesday he didn't think the governor would announce a solid monetary commitment on behalf of the state.

But Garber said it would set the stage for a "path to reach an agreement between the state and a local municipality. We have an opportunity to do something different here, create a special mechanism that might even become the model for [funding] future sports teams."

Garber, along with RSL owner Dave Checketts and other team officials, huddled privately with the governor Wednesday. They also met with Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, who sponsored the bill that bans cities from using Redevelopment Agency money on sports stadiums.

Huntsman is not expected to veto that bill. In fact, Bramble will attend today's announcement at the Governor's Mansion along with Garber and Checketts.

Before Wednesday's meeting with RSL officials, Bramble said he wanted to find an alternative source of funding for the stadium. He didn't want to use RDA funds because that siphons money away from public schools.

Murray is leading the stadium sweepstakes because it doesn't need to use RDA money. Proposing a stadium near 4500 South near the TRAX light-rail stop, Murray can tap other city funds because land is cheaper in the suburbs.

Downtown Salt Lake City land costs much more.

The capital was looking at spending up to $20 million to buy 10 acres at 600 South and Main Street, known as Block 22. The city would have to use the RDA for that kind of money.

On Wednesday night, Checketts told a crowd of Salt Lake Chamber members at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium - the soccer team's temporary home - that downtown Salt Lake City "just may not be possible."

But team CEO Dean Howes said the governor's news conference "hopefully makes it so Salt Lake is a viable option."

Howes acknowledged Block 22 is probably out because of the cost. Salt Lake City has other land in mind, including west of The Gateway.

RSL is also seeking public funds to pay half of the $60 million stadium tab.

Checketts, a Utah native who now lives in Connecticut, lamented that discussion of RDA funding has deflected attention away from the team's launch.

Garber and Checketts came to Salt Lake City to refocus the discussion.

The team's inaugural season starts next month and 3,100 season tickets have been sold. The team's goal is to double that.

Garber told the chamber crowd he believes in the Salt Lake City market.

The league decided to open a franchise here instead of much-larger Seattle.

hmay@sltrib.com