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Looks like someone is making a comeback! On March 11,\u00a0 the NWSL announced<\/a> the return of the Utah Royals as an expansion team. This was right after Utah was awarded expansion team rights. Let\u2019s save the date for 2024 when the team returns.<\/p>\n We all remember what went wrong last time<\/a>\u00a0the Utah Royals played in the NWSL. So it\u2019s totally normal for you to be anxious about whether their return is good or bad. To help you decide, here is everything you need to know about the return of the Utah Royals.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An important thing to know is that the Utah Royals is the sister team to MLS\u2019 Real Salt Lake. Why is that important? It\u2019s important because Ryan Smith and David Blitzer, owners of RSL, will be Utah Royals\u2019 new owners. We are definitely excited to see what they will bring to the table.<\/p>\n We will also see Blitzer on the NWSL\u2019s board of governors as the \u201cnew\u201d Utah Royals\u2019 representative.<\/p>\n Since we keep mentioning all the new things in Utah Royals, it\u2019s only normal that we mention their new president. Michelle Hyncik, RSL\u2019s general counsel, is Utah Royals\u2019 new president.<\/p>\n New @UtahRoyalsFC<\/a> president Michelle Hyncik just wrapped up a 30-minute call with the media. More to come in the newsletter, but a few highlights: <\/p>\n (1\/??) pic.twitter.com\/FfJAX2LOJC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Salt City FC (@saltcityfc) March 13, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The purchase of the Utah Royals was done through Smith Entertainment Group and Blitzer\u2019s Global Football Holdings. This isn\u2019t Blitzer\u2019s first investment since his company has stakes in several clubs; this could be a good sign for the fans. So far, Blitzer has stakes in Cleveland Guardians, Crystal Palace, and more. He is also part owner of the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n More good news is that the return of the Utah Royals wasn\u2019t a spur-of-the-moment decision. This is definitely reassuring for any worried fans.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we acquired Real Salt Lake last year, we said it was a matter of when, not if, the NWSL would return to Utah. This has always been an integral part of our mission. With today\u2019s announcement, we are thrilled to fulfill the promise we made to our incredible fan base,\u201d said Blitzer in an official statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With the return of the Utah Royals, one might expect that everything will be new. But that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n One of the things that didn\u2019t change is, of course, the team\u2019s name. While the team\u2019s crest changed but at the same time, it didn\u2019t. We see in the new crest<\/a> that artist Tobah Kaiser and her team kept the lioness and the color scheme. However, the badge changed, and to be honest, it does look better.<\/p>\n Another familiar thing is the stadium since the Utah Royals will play at RSL\u2019s home stadium. This mix of old and new is making us even more excited for what\u2019s to come. In relation to the stadium, the naming sponsor of the stadium, America First Credit Union, will be the team\u2019s front-of-shirt sponsor.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Since the club\u2019s return, the Utah Royals\u2019 social media team has been busy retweeting all the \u201cwelcome back\u201d tweets.<\/p>\n So far, the teams that congratulated them include Angel City FC, NJ\/NY Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, and even more.<\/p>\n The Utah Royals\u2019 return is an exciting one, especially when we remember how they previously had strong attendance in the NWSL; the average was around 10,000 fans! With numbers like this, the competition in 2024 will be something to watch.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While many people are excited about the Utah Royals\u2019 return, many are worried.<\/p>\n There are so many questions that we will have to wait and see if they will ever have a satisfying answer. For example, we can\u2019t help but wonder if the past will repeat itself or if things actually changed.<\/p>\n Still marveling that the new Utah Royals are really going to make their team, comprised entirely of women, many who are LGBTQ+, many who are BIPOC, many who aren\u2019t from the US, wear jerseys with the logo \u201cAMERICA FIRST credit union\u201d across their chests. Find a different sponsor.<\/p>\n \u2014 Liz Lincoln, get She\u2019s a Keeper now! (@TheLizLincoln) March 12, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Another important question is the safety of the Royals\u2019 players. We can\u2019t forget that Utah is a red state, and many feel that the state isn\u2019t entirely welcoming for the LGBTQ+ community or women. However, the Utah Royals did announce they will stand with the NWSL in providing funds for employees to receive out-of-state abortion and healthcare.<\/p>\n For now, we will say welcome back. In the future, we hope that we won\u2019t hear any unfortunate news relating to the safety of the Utah Royals and their players.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Featured image via @UtahRoyalsFC<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe New Ownership<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Not A Sudden Choice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What Changed and What Stayed the Same<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Welcome Back<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Not An Easy Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS<\/b><\/h4>\n