By JOHN YOUNGREN

SALT LAKE CITY –Utah's professional sports landscape changed forever this week, with the historic announcement by Major League Soccer that Salt Lake City will be home to the league’s 12th team, the second major league sports franchise in state history.
The dramatic news further establishes Salt Lake City in particular and Utah in general as a progressive, growing climate for major league sports and similar events. The state has been home to the Utah Jazz of the NBA since 1979, and has played host to two NBA Finals, multiple NBA playoffs and an NBA All-Star game during that period.
Utah was also the host of the successful 2002 Olympic Winter Games, which brought it positive attention from sponsors, athletes and media around the world.
"Salt Lake's success on a worldwide stage [with the Olympics] was part of what went into making this decision," said Dave Checketts, principal owner of the new Salt Lake City Major League Soccer (MLS) team. "But we fought long and hard to bring this team to Utah. We faced serious competition from other cities and people who desperately wanted this team, including Seattle and Microsoft’s Paul Allen. We showed MLS that Salt Lake City was the place for the league’s next team."
Yet to be given a name, the MLS franchise for Salt Lake – chosen over many other larger cities, including Houston, Seattle and Cleveland – will be owned and operated by Mr. Checketts and partners, representing Sports Capital Partners. Don Garber, MLS commissioner, introduced the new ownership group today.
Salt Lake City’s MLS team will begin play next year – the league's regular season begins in April 2005.
Mr. Checketts, of course, returns to Salt Lake after spending much of his early career at the helm of the Utah Jazz and the better part of the past decade overseeing the New York Knicks and varied other New York sports and media interests.
"I truly believe that Major League Soccer is the sports league of the future, and I wanted more than anything for Utah to be a part of it," Mr. Checketts said. "This team is my legacy and my thank you to my home state and community."
Today's announcement was held at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the team will play its first few seasons. The press conference was attended by many of Utah’s top government, business and community leaders.
According to MLS Commissioner Garber, Utah’s unique demographics make it particularly appealing to the league. Boasting a significant soccer fan base already, Utah has the highest per-capita participation in organized soccer (estimated at more than 200,000 players); a rapidly growing Hispanic and Latino population; as well as a significant Eastern European population.
"Not only does Salt Lake already have significant soccer-loving communities from outside the United States, but many former LDS Church missionaries have returned with first-hand experience [of the game] and as fans of world-class soccer," Mr. Garber said. "That’s what Salt Lake’s home team will offer – exciting, action-packed, world-class, major league soccer."
Beyond just the sports entertainment value, Salt Lake’s MLS team will bring significant socio-economic benefits to the state. Figures on the team’s estimated economic benefit to the state are currently being studied and will be released soon.
"Dave and his group have done an incredible thing for Utah," said Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City mayor. "This team will bring immeasurable benefits to our city and state for years to come."
"This team will become much more than just another team to root for," Mr. Checketts said. "Our team will become a rallying point for every different segment of our community and bridge divides between our ever-diversified communities."
Salt Lake's team name, logo and colors will be unveiled in August. A general manager, coaching staff and additional key staff will be added in early fall in preparation for the MLS’ Expansion Draft in November and Superdraft in January.
Salt Lake City is Major League Soccer’s 12th team in a league with teams in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, D.C. Indeed, Salt Lake fans can look forward to watching many of soccer’s biggest superstars play here, including Freddy Adu and Landon Donovan, among many others.

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Dear WB jackasses--
I know you've been through this before.
I know you've got your own problems.
But, WB executives, why did you give up on "Angel?"
Ravenous fan base. Good media buzz. Strong current season. Appealing cast.
Established show.
Sure, not the best ratings. But, hell, what WB show is?
What more do you need?
I watch "Gilmore Girls." I sort of watch "Charmed."
(I can't believe you'd renew "Charmed" over "Angel," by the way.)
Because I watch nothing else on WB except "Angel."
Throw me a bone, here.
Morons.

John Youngren