Former Real Salt Lake Manager Mike Petke Settles Lawsuit With Club

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Case dismissed. Former Real Salt Lake manager Mike Petke has agreed to settle his lawsuit against the club and is no longer suing his former employer, according to court documents.

On March 3rd, Petke, Real Salt Lake, Major League Soccer and MLS Commissioner Don Garber agreed to dismiss all the claims in the lawsuit. Third District Judge Patrick Corum signed the order and the case disposition was dismissed with prejudice.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Petke was suing the club following his axing after an alleged use of a homophobic slur to a referee. He was seeking a recoup of lost wages that tallied $687,500 on his terminated contract.

“Mr. Petke’s employment was terminated for cause based upon statements and actions that are unbecoming of RSL representatives, especially our head coach. The organization stands firmly behind that difficult decision,” the club said in a statement following his dismissal.

The fallout from the lawsuit was severe as former General Manager Craig Waibel left the club after he was quoted saying that he would leave the club following the end of the 2019 season due to management, the court documents stated.