Utah Royals
Utah Royals return imminent, says Sportico report
An announcement from Utah Soccer, LLC is expected on Saturday.
Utah Soccer, LLC is slated to make an announcement about Utah Royals returning in 2024, according to a news-breaking report from Sportico's Eben Novy-Williams.
Utah Royals appeared in the National Women's Soccer League from 2018 to 2020 after a snap decision from then-Real Salt Lake-owner Dell Loy Hansen to buy the team from FC Kansas City ownership in 2019.
The team was sold again to a Kansas City group following the 2020 season after Hansen declared his intention to sell Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals following a series of controversies, including being accused of racist, sexist and abusive language and actions during his ownership. They play now as Kansas City Current.
The Sportico report reveals that a five-investor group, 42 Futbol Group, has invested in Utah Soccer, LLC. That group entails:
- Jessica Gelman, Kraft Analytics Group CEO
- Daryl Morey, president Philadelphia 76ers executive — a team co-owned by RSL co-owner David Blitzer
- Amy Reinhard, Netflix vice president
- Jim Steger, former partner at Ernst & Young
- Corbin Petro, Eleanor Health CEO
Real Salt Lake general counsel Michelle Hyncik will serve as the team's president, according to the report.
The report indicates an announcement is slated for tomorrow, which corresponds closely with a press conference announced by the team for 5 p.m. on Saturday, before Real Salt Lake takes on Austin FC. While the press conference subject was not announced, this is certainly the only likely outcome.
Expect more news and announcements at that time.
