I wanted to pass some information on for those RSL readers out there, and those that aren’t. The club announced today some big news regarding their new stadium and when it will be officially be opening.

The new stadium will be open in time to host the club’s final two home games (both which are nationally televised).

RSL will play New York on Oct. 9 and FC Dallas on Oct. 18 at Real Salt Lake Stadium, which the club deemed on Tuesday will be finished enough to host games this fall. Both matches will be nationally televised and will provide Real with high-profile opportunities to unveil its 20,000-seat stadium.

According to RSL president Bill Manning, it had been “touch-and-go” for some time over whether the stadium would be far enough along to be used this October, and he credited Layton-Turner Construction and owner Dave Checketts for helping to make it possible.

As with any major construction project, not everything at RSL Stadium will be finished in October — like RSL’s front offices, for example — but the threshold that Real officials set for being able to declare it ready will be met.

So Dallas and New York are those lucky clubs that get the first crack at RSL on the new digs. Man what is it with New York playing clubs in stadium openers. I believe that makes either two or three for them (Pizza Hut Park and correct me if I am wrong, Chicago).

Below are some updated photos of the stadium, thanks to RSLstadium.com. Again I will say it, the more I see this stadium the more I like it. I cannot wait for a trip west to see it in person one day soon. Congrats RSL fans, its a great looking stadium! Continue Reading…

Real Salt Lake and the Governor of Utah are coming together tomorrow to announce something big, or as the league’s website calls it a “historic RSL Stadium announcement”.

What is this announcement about? More than likely its all about a big named stadium sponsor. Probably one similar to the Toyotas, Home Depots, and Pizza Hut Parks of the league.

EDIT: Sounds like they will be hosting the 2009 MLS All-Star Game! Don’t know if that’s the only part of the announcement but its a good bet that they could still announce the stadium name too!

Previous talk surrounding the naming rights deal with the stadium, RSL owner David Checketts was looking at some big sponor numbers for the new digs. Checketts and RSL were in negotiations with three major corporate sponsors who are interested in naming rights to the stadium. Word has it they turned down a couple offers already as well.

Checketts is said to be seeking a deal of around 10 years for about $1.5 million to $2 million per year. The four most recent teams to build soccer specific stadiums are bringing in an average of $1.6 million for naming rights. The high is Toronto who is racking in $2.7 million per season from BMO Financial Group; Toyota Park in Chicago is the low at $750,000 per year; Dicks Sporting Goods is paying $2 million a year for naming rights to the Commerce City stadium; and Pizza Hut is paying $1.25 million per year in Frisco for FC Dallas’s stadium.

As you can see below, things are moving nicely with the new stadium. It is still on schedule to open later this fall. Continue Reading…

I figured tonight was as good of a time as ever to give you all some RSL Stadium updates. All the photos are from RSLstadium.com, head over there if you want to see more or their webcam.

The big news though is the field will soon be in place and they are starting to put in seats!

I must say this stadium gets nicer every time I go and look at it online. Its one of those that I think will deserve a visit to one day down to the road. Once the final product opens this fall, many people will find out just how nice this stadium really is. In fact it may get some people talking that it is the best in the league (though those LA fans will have reason to disagree).

What do you all think? Its coming together really nicely here. I’m curious to see who they get to sponsor the stadium.

Also, there was some press about the Red Bull stadium in New Jersey. They promise to get a webcam up in 60 to 90 days.

Continue Reading…