David Blitzer, the billionaire executive who is part owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has reportedly reached a deal to purchase Real Salt Lake.
Sports business website Sportico reported Wednesday morning that a group led by Blitzer has reached an agreement to purchase RSL for close to $400 million, ending an ownership saga that has lasted more than a year.
Sportico also reported that Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith is one of the investors buying into RSL. Smith was at one point in the process reportedly interested in buying the team himself.
RSL officials had no comment on the report Wednesday morning.
Blitzer’s group was first reported last November to be nearing a deal to buy RSL, which has been for sale since September of 2020.
RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen decided to put the franchise up for sale after receiving backlash for how he handled the Major League Soccer team’s decision to not play a game out of protest of a police shooting, and later being accused of making racist comments and contributing to a toxic workplace environment.
While the team was looking for a new owner, it missed the playoffs in 2020 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2021. The organization also hired Pablo Mastroeni as its permanent head coach last month.
Blitzer has stakes in various sports leagues around the world, including the NBA, NHL and international soccer. His company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.
This story will be updated.
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/3zrHAhY
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