NBA All-Star Tells MLS Owner To 'Sell The Team' Following Comments On Games Suspension

Utah Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell urged Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen to “sell the team” after the latter expressed his disappointment over the suspension of games in the MLS in the wake of protests by athletes against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Mitchell called out Hansen on a social media post on Thursday as he was appalled by the owner’s response to the participation of the soccer league in the widespread strike.

“WOW. If it’s taken ‘the wind’ out, then sell the team,” the 23-year-old wrote. “I stand with (Real Salt Lake) players.”

Mitchell’s reaction was triggered by Hansen’s interview on KXRK-FM's Radio From Hell where the RSL owner called the stoppage of games as “a moment of sadness.”

"They clearly supported national issues, but it's very apparent that they didn't support our local community. There's a profound disappointment that the spirit that is Real was abandoned last night. Obviously, the importance of bringing the community together during COVID was not respected.

"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,” Hansen said.

“The disrespect is profound to me personally.”

Hansen even went as far as threatening to sack employees as he rued that Wednesday’s protest could cost a significant amount on his investment.

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

"We will not be inviting fans back to the stadium in the future, so tomorrow I start cutting 40 to 50 jobs again."

MLS Commissioner Garber then issued a statement after Hansen’s words drew flak, not only from Mitchell but from other athletes as well.

“I appreciate Dell Loy Hansen’s efforts to build the sport of soccer in Utah. His commitment to MLS, the NWSL, and the USL, as well as the game at the youth level, has been significant. However, I strongly disagree with the comments he made today, the way they were expressed, and they do not reflect the views of MLS,” the statement read.

“This is a time for all of us to work together in the pursuit of racial equality and social justice. Major League Soccer and all of its clubs will continue to support and create initiatives that enact real change.”

A total of five games, including RSL’s scheduled match against LAFC, were postponed on Wednesday. The MLS has yet to announce the rescheduled date of each match.