David Blitzer is in advanced discussions to sell controlling interests in MLS’s Real Salt Lake (RSL) and the NWSL’s Utah Royals, with the Larry H. Miller family set to become the majority owner once the deal is finalized in April. Blitzer will remain a minority owner. The sale comes after Blitzer approached the Miller group to gauge their interest in becoming local majority owners of both clubs. Ryan Smith, who bought the Utah Jazz from the Millers in 2020, will not be involved with RSL and the Royals after the sale.
Blitzer’s tenure as controlling owner of RSL would be short-lived, as he had only purchased the team in 2022 along with Smith and Arctos Partners. The Miller Group had initially expressed interest in buying the team after former owner Dell Loy Hansen put the team up for sale due to racist behavior allegations. Blitzer, Smith, and Arctos paid nearly $400 million for RSL, Rio Tinto Stadium, and other assets. After purchasing RSL, Blitzer and Smith also retained NWSL expansion rights for the Utah Royals.
The MLS board of governors is set to meet in April to potentially review or approve the sale. The move signals the Miller group’s intention to invest in the RSL and Royals rosters to compete at the highest level. The Royals are expected to return to the NWSL in 2024 after being sold and relocated to Kansas City. Blitzer exercised the NWSL expansion rights at a $2 million price point, with NWSL Denver paying a $110 million expansion fee for the 2026 season. The Athletic first reported the news of Blitzer’s potential sale.
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