Utah became the first state to prohibit LGBTQ+ pride flags from being flown at government buildings and schools in a move that also bans political flags such as those with President Donald Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, announced he was allowing the ban on unsanctioned flag displays to become law without his signature. Although he continues to have serious concerns about the policy, the governor chose not to reject the proposal because the Republican-controlled legislature would likely have overridden his veto.

The ban will go into effect on May 7, when state or local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for displaying any flag other than the American flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a handful of others approved by lawmakers.

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Political flags supporting a candidate or party, including MAGA flags, will be prohibited under the law.

The new law could put the state and its largest city, Salt Lake City, at odds. City buildings in the city typically honor Pride Month each June by displaying flags that celebrate its LGBTQ+ population.

Local leaders in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County have illuminated the city and county buildings with rainbow lights each night since the bill was sent to Cox’s desk in protest of the legislation.

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Political flags supporting a candidate or party, including MAGA flags, will be prohibited under the law. (Getty Images)

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office said their attorneys are reviewing the law, but the city does not yet have details on what it will do when the law takes effect.

The bill’s sponsors, Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Dan McCay, both of whom are Republicans, said the measure aims to encourage “political neutrality” from teachers and other government employees.

Opponents argue that the law seeks to root out LGBTQ+ expression and remove authority away from cities and towns that do not align politically with the legislature’s GOP majority.

Cox said in a letter to legislative leaders explaining his decision that he agreed with the “underlying intent” of the bill to make classrooms politically neutral but believed it went too far in restricting local governments. The governor also highlighted that the law, since it narrowly focuses on flags, does not ban other political displays such as posters or lighting.

Gov. Spencer Cox said he chose not to reject the proposal because the Republican-controlled legislature would likely have overridden his veto. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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“To our LGBTQ community, I know that recent legislation has been difficult,” Cox said.

“Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times and I know we’ve had our disagreements,” the governor continued. “I want you to know that I love and appreciate you and I am grateful that you are part of our state. I know these words may ring hollow to many of you, but please know that I mean them sincerely.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

David Blitzer is in advanced talks to sell controlling stakes in both MLS’s Real Salt Lake and the NWSL’s Utah Royals, multiple sources with knowledge of the discussions confirmed to The Athletic.

Blitzer will retain a stake in both teams, the sources said, but will sell the controlling stake to the Larry H. Miller family. It is unclear what percentage of the teams Blitzer will retain. The Miller Family are the former owners of the Utah Jazz, but sold 80 percent of their ownership stake to Ryan Smith in 2022. Smith is a minority owner of RSL and an alternative governor for the team in MLS. Sources were not sure if Smith was selling part or all of his stake in this potential transaction.

A sale would make Blitzer’s tenure as controlling owner of RSL a brief one. He bought the team in 2022 in a sale process led in conjunction with MLS. Former owner Dell Loy Hansen put the team up for sale after revelations of racist behavior were reported by The Athletic in 2020. Blitzer bought the team along with Smith and Arctos Partners, a private equity platform.

The Miller group expressed initial interest in being a potential buyer soon after Hansen put his soccer holdings up for sale, but after in-depth conversations didn’t immediately materialize the franchise was left in limbo and was operated by the league until Blitzer finalized the purchase of the franchise. 

Reports at the time indicated Blitzer, Smith and Arctos paid just under $400 million in the deal, which included RSL, Rio Tinto Stadium, the Real Monarchs MLS Next Pro side and the club’s training facility and academy. 

After Blitzer and Smith purchased RSL in January 2022, the pair also kept the NWSL expansion rights for the Royals to potentially return to the league. After the fallout surrounding Hansen, the first iteration of the Royals were sold and relocated to Kansas City, where the organization would become the Kansas City Current. A year into their combined tenure as owners, Blitzer and Smith, along with NWSL, announced that the Royals would return to the league starting in 2024.

Reports indicate Blitzer exercised the NWSL expansion rights at a $2 million price point. NWSL Denver earlier this year paid a $110 million expansion fee and will begin play in 2026.

The MLS board of governors meets in April and could potentially review or approve a sale at that time.

Sportico first reported news that Blitzer was nearing a sale.

Representatives from Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals, the NWSL and the Larry H Miller Company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives of the Blitzer group could not immediately be reached.

(Top photo: Bryan Bedder/Sportico via Getty Images)