Rocky at it again
This entry was posted on 1/10/2008 11:03 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
Looks like Salt Lake City is going to get another $15 million out of RSL for soccer fields in Rose Park. Why does it seem like extortion every time this issue comes up? It was bad on RSL's part a few months ago for them to control naming rights and concessions, but throw in an extra $15 million and then it's ok. If RSL were smart, they would leave the $7.5 million they pledged that they have to deliver on because of the stadium deal and walk away, provided there is a viable alternative spot that they could set up their academy. If the city or county government runs the thing, it will be just like so many other facilities run by the government, nice, but not world-class. The city does not have a vested interest in making the facility a place where you can host large tournaments which bring in huge amounts of money, they have a duty to the citizens (which in this case is in conflict with what this facility can become). A private venture is really the only way to turn this into what it could and should be. While I question RSL's management ability, even with the joke that they are, they are still not nearly as bad as a bunch of government bureaucrats trying to run something. I guess I spent too much time in the Army to ever think that the government can ever run anything with the efficiency that comes from the private sector.
Now, walking away entails that there truly is a viable alternative, which may not be the case with a site for a soccer academy. If there is a viable second option, it should no longer be the second option. In my opinion, if someone is not interested in dealing with you in good faith and just wants to squeeze every penny they can out of you; you are much better off not doing business with that person. The $7.5 million was part of the cost of getting the funding for the stadium, if the additional $15 million does result in an agreement, things better be spelled out clearly, in writing, so that there is no potential for a future "misunderstanding" that could jeopardize the viability of the project.
