SOCCER

LHM Sports + Entertainment CEO Steve Starks Reveals Soccer Stadium ‘Master Plan’

Apr 18, 2025, 2:17 PM

Steve Starks Real Salt Lake Utah Royals FC Stadium plan...

America First Field in Sandy is pictured on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Laura Seitz, Deseret News)

(Photo courtesy of Laura Seitz, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY – Miller Sports and Entertainment CEO Steve Starks talked about the company’s bigger picture plan for the soccer stadium in Sandy at a press conference today.

The Miller Family, Starks, and more hosted a press conference on Friday to officially announce the sale.

Following the time at the podium, Starks joined the KSL Sports Zone to give some extra insight into the deal.

In the interview, he mentioned that the company has plans to revamp and improve aspects of the stadium. Specifically, adding more premium seating options.

“Premium is essential in sports; it helps pay the bills,” Starks said. “When you add premium, it allows you to keep the other seats at affordable prices. We realize that people bring their families to games, so we’re committed to keeping affordability as a core principle of what we do.”

From more premium seating options to a whole entertainment district, Starks said that the work will begin over the next few years.

He also mentioned that the vision they have is similar to what has been done at the Salt Lake Bees’ new ballpark in Daybreak.

“We will, over the next few years, start to lay out a master plan for a bit of a sports-entertainment district,” Starks said. “So that when passionate fans show up, they will have places to eat, places to park, things to do, and high amenities.”

Miller Sports + Entertainment Announces Purchase Of Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals

Miller Sports and Entertainment reached a deal to buy Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals, the organization announced Friday morning.

CEO of Miller Sports + Entertainment Steve Starks confirmed the”acquisition of controlling interests” in RSL Football holdings. David Blitzer will still be an invested partner, but Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) will no longer be involved.

The purchase includes Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Utah Royals FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), along with the Real Monarchs of MLS NEXT Pro and the RSL Academy. Real estate assets include America First Field, Zions Bank Stadium and Zions Bank Training Center.

“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 Starks. “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.”

Reports first surfaced in late March that talks over this sale were occurring.

How To Watch Real Salt Lake

All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.

All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2024 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.

You can find KSL Sports coverage of Real Salt Lake here.

For more Real Salt Lake coverage and analysis, subscribe to The RSL Show and follow them on Instagram. 

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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LHM Sports + Entertainment CEO Steve Starks Reveals Soccer Stadium ‘Master Plan’