MLS, San Antonio Hit Roadblock On Rent Issue At Alamodome

San Antonio Officials Asking MLS To Pay Rent For Non-Game Events

Negotiations between MLS and the city of San Antonio for an Alamodome lease “have hit a snag,” as city officials “now want the league to pay rent for some ‘special events’ it would bring to the building,” according to Tom Orsborn of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. Assistant City Manager Roland Lozano said that MLS officials have “expressed concern about the request.” Lozano: “Their position is, ‘We don’t want to pay any rent.’ Our position is, no, the no-rent deal is only for (MLS) games.” San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza said that the league “is concerned that the city will ask for rent more often than not.” Garza: “The league’s perspective is, ‘How do we know the city won’t opt out of every event?’” Lozano said that the amount of rent the team would pay would “vary by event.” Lozano: “We could charge them a flat fee, or we could charge them a percentage of their ticket sales. It could be a dollar for every ticket sold” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 5/17).

SANDY SHORES: In Salt Lake City, Heather May reports officials from Sandy, Utah, “have proposed a new funding mechanism” for a $60-65M soccer-specific stadium for Real Salt Lake, and “seem to have persuaded Salt Lake County to buy land for it.” Utah state House Speaker Greg Curtis said that he will not “push funding at the Legislature unless the stadium is in” Sandy, his hometown. Curtis: “If (RSL says) they want to be in Salt Lake City, I say, ‘Great, go work with a Salt Lake City representative.’ I represent Sandy.” But Curtis would not “oppose such a bill” if RSL does not pick Sandy. Curtis: “I’m just not going to do any Herculean efforts to get it passed.” Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson “remained adamant the capital was still in the game, though he acknowledged Curtis’ help at the Legislature would mean a ‘great deal’” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 5/17).