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A group of investors is giving professional soccer yet another try in Utah, this time at the highest competitive level possible.
In awarding a Major League Soccer franchise to Dave Checketts and his partners, the nine-year-old league is expressing confidence in Utah’s ability to support a second major professional sports team. The Utah Jazz, of course, has been a resounding success.
In the United States, however, soccer is not basketball. The number one sport internationally continues its struggle to gain widespread spectator popularity in this land of baseball, the NFL and the NBA.
It appears Checketts understands the risks. In KSL’s view, he has the background along with the vision and determination to make it work. Like others who’ve tried to promote professional soccer in Utah, he’ll rely heavily on the families of the many youth who play the game in Utah. In his optimism, Checketts should remember no one, as yet, has found the key to winning that target market’s ongoing ticket-buying support. Perhaps a quality product involving top-notch players along with sensible ticket prices, as promised, will help.
Despite many obstacles, KSL believes this latest gamble stands a reasonable chance of succeeding in Utah. We’ll be cheering for the new organization in its effort to get the club assembled and ready to compete by next April.
