Equal Time on RSL Stadium

Sure, I link to Deseret News articles all the time, a paper that doesn't seem so high on any proposed stadium for Real Salt Lake (RSL) that uses public dollars. Then again, those are, by and large, straight news articles so they've got to keep a straight face when writing their stuff.

But columnists operate under fewer constraints and that's what gives Deseret Morning News columnist Brad Rock the freedom to make an argument that building a stadium for RSL may not be the soundest of investments. It's worth noting, however, that he takes a broader tack: rather than question the financial viability of RSL alone, he brings all of Major League Soccer (MLS) into the mix, concluding his commentary with this thought:

"But what I'd really like to know is if the league's finances are on solid ground for the next several years. A shiny new stadium in Sandy won't mean much if there's no league in which to play."


The man makes a decent argument. More to the point, there's a question of the extent to which fans - like me - can get wrapped up in the self-delusion thanks to what appears to be so much momentum in MLS's favor. The bottom line is, if Phil Anschutz secretly agonizes every night about pulling the plug - possibly tanked to the gills on gin, rambling beneath portraits of Abraham Lincoln - what would any of us know about it?

Against that, though, you've got some fairly successful organizations throwing making bets with time and money on the league - ESPN springs to mind, here - which makes one think there may be some good stuff we don't know as well.

In any case, one of the more curious things about Rock's column is, dubious as he sounds on the stadium, he figures it'll get built. And, to his credit, he takes that in stride.

UtahGamer, writing for Are You Loyal takes a stronger position in a post titled They Will Build It. His (whoops...that handle is gender-neutral, I suppose, so he could be a she) reasons are compelling enough as well - e.g. no one looks poised to vote against it.

Though the waiting game continues, some close observers see light at the end of the tunnel....even if they disagree on what's producing that light.

(########)

No comments: