The Larry and Gail Miller family, through its Miller Sports & Entertainment (MSE) operating company, has announced the addition of a group prominent Utahns as new investors in RSL Football Holdings, which owns and manages Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS), the Utah Royals FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the Real Monarchs of MLS NEXT Pro, and the RSL Academy.
The new owners of the organization include Matt Hawkins, CEO of health care management platform Waystar in Lehi; Nick Greer, founder and CEO of Lehi’s Built Brands, maker and marketer of Built protein bars; Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills and his wife, Kristin Andrus; and Don, Matt and Erica Berman. Don Berman is the chairman and founder of South Jordan-based Merrick Bank, a subsidiary of CardWorks Inc.
“This strategic expansion of RSL Football Holdings’ ownership group emphasizes a commitment to elevating soccer in Utah, while deepening investments in youth sports and local community initiatives,” the Miller family said in a release. “The new investors bring diverse experience across business, philanthropy and community engagement.”
“Our family believes in the power of sports to unite, uplift and inspire,” said Steve Miller, chairman and governor for RSL and the Utah Royals FC, and chairman of the Larry H. Miller Co. board of directors. “Bringing in local partners who share our love for Utah will help ensure our clubs continue to thrive, both on and off the field.”
“We are excited to welcome these proven business and community leaders to the Miller Sports & Entertainment family,” said Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Co. “They have a proven track record of leading world-class organizations and are committed to building championship teams.”
“This is about more than sports,” said Greer. “RSL, the Utah Royals FC and our affiliated teams showcase the possibility for young athletes to dream big, work hard and become resilient. It is the ethos of our great state, and I couldn’t be more proud to join the Club.”
“I’m thrilled to join this incredible group of leaders,” said Hawkins. “I believe in building organizations that create positive, lasting impact, and RSL is exactly that — a platform to support athletes, young players, fans and
Utah families.”
“Jeremy and I care deeply about Utah, and we see this as an opportunity to give back through something we love and where our family spends a lot of our time together: sports,” said Kristin Andrus. “RSL and the Utah Royals have the power to bring people together and lift up every corner of our community.”
“Sports are a catalyst for connection and confidence,” added Jeremy Andrus. “We’re honored to be part of an organization that brings energy and passion to fans and families across Utah.”
“Being part of the Club is more than an investment; it’s a commitment to our future,” said Matt Berman. “This is about building something generational for Utah, where soccer is not just a game, but a shared source of inspiration and joy.”
Together, the expanded ownership group will focus on fostering excellence on the soccer pitch, while investing in facilities, programs and community outreach, the Miller statement said.
The Miller family and Miller Sports & Entertainment acquired RSL Football Holdings in April from majority owner David Blitzer and the Smith Entertainment Group (SME), majority owners of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth. The Millers said at the time that Blitzer would remain the second-largest owner. SME left soccer involvement in Utah with the April sale.
Real Salt Lake began its 21st Major League Soccer season in February. Beginning with the 2024 season, Real Salt Lake ownership brought the National Women’s Soccer League back to Utah, returning the Utah Royals FC to the state.
All the teams under the RSL Football Holdings umbrella call the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman their daily training home. The 42-acre campus includes five world-class grass fields, two indoor turf fields, a residential dormitory and the 5,000-seat Zions Bank Stadium. Last year, the Utah Royals FC opened an 11,000-square-foot expansion to the training site to give the Utah Royals FC their own facility.
In addition to its soccer holdings, Miller Sports & Entertainment owns and operates Utah’s Megaplex theaters; the Salt Lake Bees minor league baseball team; The Ballpark at America First Square; and Big League Utah, an organization trying to bring a Major League Baseball team to Salt Lake City. The Millers sold the Utah Jazz to Ryan and Ashley Smith in 2020.