Real Salt Lake
David Blitzer and Smith Entertainment Group (Ryan Smith), with Arctos Sports Partners acquisition · 5 Jan 2022
- Seller
- Dell Loy Hansen
- Stake acquired
- —
- Control
- Yes
- Reported consideration
- ~€354m
- Implied equity value
- —
- League
- MLS
- Country
- United States
- Confidence
- MEDIUM
Buyer profile: Miller Sports + Entertainment: clubs owned, where they buy next
David Blitzer and Smith Entertainment Group (Ryan Smith), with Arctos Sports Partners acquired a majority stake in Real Salt Lake from Dell Loy Hansen, announced 5 Jan 2022.
Reported consideration was ~€354m. Reporting placed the club's value at €372m.
Nearest pre-acquisition revenue was €40.9m (FY 2022).
- Announced
- 5 Jan 2022
- Closed
- 5 Jan 2022
- Stake after transaction
- —
- Status
- completed
Reported consideration
What the buyer reportedly paid for the stake
Implied 100% equity value
Calculated: consideration ÷ stake acquired
Reported club valuation
Enterprise value
Only shown when debt/cash near the transaction date is established
Debt assumed / restructured
Primary capital injection
Total announced investment commitment
Commitments are not purchase price and not valuation
Nearest pre-acquisition financial year: 2022
Revenue
Wages
EBITDA
Net debt
Net income
MLS approved the sale of RSL, Real Monarchs, Rio Tinto Stadium and training assets to David Blitzer and Ryan Smith's SEG on 5 Jan 2022, ending a league-run process that began after Dell Loy Hansen's 2020 racism allegations. Price was never disclosed; Sportico/Tribune reported 'nearly/close to $400m' and Sportico later said 'less than $400m' — we record $400m approx.
- MLS: David Blitzer & Smith Entertainment Group to Purchase Real Salt Lake ↗Tier 2 · primary league
2022-01-05 — “Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of RSL and associated properties (Rio Tinto Stadium, Zions Bank Training Center, RSL Academy) to Blitzer and SEG; Blitzer governor; previous owner Dell Loy Hansen (2013-21).”
2022-01-05 — “MLS approved sale; Hansen put club up for sale Aug 2020; league took over sales process Jan 2021.”
- Sportico (via Yahoo): NBA Billionaires David Blitzer, Ryan Smith Buy MLS Club Real Salt Lake ↗Tier 3 · media
2022-01-05 — “Agreement to purchase RSL for nearly $400 million; includes Real Monarchs, Rio Tinto Stadium and training complex; Sportico valued RSL at $420m.”
2022-01-05 — “Group reportedly agreed to buy the franchise for close to $400 million.”
- Sportico MLS Team Valuations 2021 ↗Tier 3 · media
2021-07-14 — “Sportico values RSL at $420 million including Rio Tinto Stadium, Real Monarchs and the $78m Herriman training complex; insiders expect at least $400m.”
- Forbes: MLS Most Valuable Clubs 2023 ↗Tier 3 · media
2023-02-02 — “No. 21 Real Salt Lake $440 million; 2022 Revenue: $43 million; Operating Income: $0 (verified via Exa index highlights; page is paywalled to direct fetch).”