SALT LAKE CITY — The Miller family and Miller Sports and Entertainment has purchased controlling interest in Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals FC, ending the short ownership term of David Blitzer.
An announcement was made Friday at America First Field, which was also included in the deal, along with Zions Bank Stadium and the Zions Bank Training Center.
Blitzer will remain a minority owner of the group.
“We are honored to join the Real Salt Lake Club and invest in the highest levels of men’s and women’s soccer in both RSL and the Royals,” said Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company. “We are grateful for David Blitzer’s trust, and I am confident our combined experience in sports leadership will elevate soccer within Utah and
support the Club’s goal of winning championships.
"We are proud to join the ‘RioT’ and an incredibly passionate fanbase.”
Watch full announcement below of RSL, Royals sale to Miller family:
Former team minority partner Ryan Smith shared his congratulations on the sale in which he will no longer be an owner.
"Congratulations to Gail Miller on the purchase of Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals," he wrote. "We are glad that soccer is staying in Utah, and Gail Miller is an ideal local steward to lead Utah’s professional soccer franchises moving forward."
Sandy businesses feel Miller family RSL takeover is big score:
It will be the return to major professional sports for the Miller's after the family sold the Utah Jazz to Ryan Smith and the Smith Entertainment Group in 2022.
Blitzer has only owned the teams since 2022 when he took control of RSL from the league after MLS assumed the franchise from former owner Dell Loy Hansen over accusations of racially insensitive behavior.
The Royals, who were dissolved and departed for Kansas City before Blitzer purchased Real Salt Lake, returned to Utah in 2024.
