Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen says players’ activism makes him not want to invest in team

Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen expressed "profound disappointment" in his team's decision, along with the Los Angeles Galaxy, to not play its game Wednesday night, as pro sports teams across the country protested the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police over the weekend.

Appearing on the radio station X96, which he also owns, on Thursday, Hansen made his feelings clear. 

"It’s a moment of sadness," he said on the "Radio From Hell" program. "It’s like somebody stabbed you and you’re trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward. That’s what it feels like. The disrespect was profound to me personally."

Five of the six scheduled MLS games did not happen Wednesday. Orlando-Nashville was the only match that kicked off. 

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Not only did Hansen disagree with the players' decision — he insinuated the protest discourages him from investing his money in the team. 

Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen (left) shown celebrating with with forward Sebastian Jaimein 2015. (Photo: Jeffrey Swinger, USA TODAY Sports)

"It’s taking a lot of wind out of my sails, what effort I want to put into recruiting players and building a great team," Hansen said. "It just seems that’s not a great path for me to take." 

A request for comment from the MLS league office has not yet been returned. 

The crux of Hansen's argument revolved around not playing the game to support and entertain "the community," which "took a back seat to other important social issues." 

Hansen lamented the fact the organization brought back 40 employees to work the game, and that they instead "sat in the stands for six hours" at $12 an hour. He later implied these personnel would be let go due to the players' decision and estimated he'd have to cut 40-50 jobs across the franchise. 

"Obviously the importance of bringing community together during COVID was not respected," he said. 

Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell, vocal in the NBA players' decision to not play Wednesday's slate of playoff games, tweeted his support for the Real Salt Lake players. 

WOW… if it’s taken “the wind” out then sell the team… I stand with @realsaltlake players ✊?? https://t.co/Xym06Lpy8n

Hansen acquired full ownership of the team in January 2013. He also owns the Utah Royals of the National Women's Soccer League. 

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

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