When Dell Loy Hansen decided to put his soccer holdings up for sale, there was a lot of fear among fans - and speculation amongst the media - that a buyer would take Real Salt Lake, the Monarchs, the Royals and the Academy - and move it anywhere but Utah. As it turned out, on the Royals were at risk. And in early December, the players, coaches and staff got a gut-punch when the Royals were sold back to Kansas City. There was a provision in the sale that gave fans hope. The new owners had an option at an expansion franchise in 2024. 

And thanks to Hansen, the team retained the rights to its name, mascot, and colors - its identity. In this podcast, one member of the staff and a player talk us through what it was like to get that call that the team was leaving, and what happened when the team returned in 2024.