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Sam Penrod ReportingEmilio Butragueno, ReAL Madrid: "We think this game is going to be the first step in a long-term relationship."
The Spanish are coming to Utah. ReAL Madrid, the top soccer club in the world, will play against its namesake, ReAL Salt Lake, later this summer. After weeks of rumors, it is finally confirmed, ReAL Madrid will play in Utah on August 12th, and the team insists it will be bringing all of its star players here.
Soccer fans are elated with this news. Their first big question, how do I get tickets? This game, which will be an exhibition game on August 12th, will no doubt be a sell out.
ReAL Madrid may be the most famous sports franchise across the world. That's why ReAL Salt Lake calls it a huge coup to get a team of such worldwide fame to play in Utah.
David Checketts, Owner of Real Salt Lake: "I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to bring to Utah one of the great clubs in all of sports, and certainly one of the top 2-3 football/soccer teams worldwide, and some people think the top club."
It will be an exhibition game; however, it will bring a huge amount of publicity to Utah and to ReAL Salt Lake. The two teams are hoping to forge a long time partnership.
Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid: "We think that in this game we are going to start a relationship with the citizens of Salt Lake and with the state of Utah. Of course we are going to come here with all our stars."
Even superstar David Beckham is expected to be here for the game. The event will attract fans from all over the country. And after last year's World Cup event, it could mean as much as a 13- million dollar boost to the local economy.
ReAL's owner hopes it also brightens professional soccer's future in Utah.
David Checketts, Owner of Real Salt Lake: "Just in the psyche of Utah sports fans I hope that they start to buy into what soccer really means. It's an international game, and this coming on the heels of the World Cup, the timing just couldn't be better, it's going to be a great day."
ReAL Salt Lake is catering to its season ticket holders first to get tickets for the big game. Of course they are hoping more people will buy season tickets to get a ticket to the ReAL Madrid game.
