National Women’s Soccer League Awards Expansion Team Rights to Utah

NEW YORK – The National Women’s Soccer League, Smith Entertainment Group and Global Football Holdings today announced the return of Utah Royals FC to the state of Utah. The team will begin play in 2024.

“When 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’s announcement, we are thrilled to fulfill the promise we made to our incredible fan base,” said club owner David Blitzer. “We are grateful for the opportunity to use our resources and platform to take women’s soccer to the next level while inspiring future players and fans globally.”

“We are excited to expand the ‘One Utah’ family and bring the Royals back to Utah,” club owner Ryan Smith said. “Having professional women’s soccer back in the state has always been a top priority for David Blitzer and myself, and is very meaningful to us, the fans, our partners, and the entire state.” 

Utah Royals FC will be led by President Michelle Hyncik, who has served as Real Salt Lake’s General Counsel for the past three years. Before making the move to Utah, Hyncik spent five years working with Major League Soccer as Senior Legal Counsel.  Prior to her career in professional sports, Hyncik worked at renowned law firm WilmerHale in New York City as a Senior Associate regulatory attorney. Hyncik received her B.A. from Harvard University, where she was a graduating member of the Harvard Women’s Soccer team, and then earned a J.D. from Columbia University Law School.

“As someone who credits my entire livelihood to my home on the pitch, I will prioritize empowering our Utah Royals players, and the young girls and boys who look up to them, through providing state of the art facilities, resources, staff, engagement, and opportunities to achieve their full potential,” Hyncik said. “I could not be prouder to be part of this community and the Utah Soccer family as we bring world-class women’s soccer to Utah in 2024.”

The name, Utah Royals FC, will remain intact and the team will be returning once again to compete at America First Credit Union Field, Utah’s premier soccer stadium, shared with Real Salt Lake.

“We are delighted to welcome Utah Royals FC and its dedicated fan base back into the league,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “The return of the women’s game to Utah, where soccer roots run deep, is a victory…