Will the Utah Flash stay in Orem?

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Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu announced he is opting out of his contract to become a free agent.

Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur may soon follow suite.

It seems like everyone is out for a better deal.

The Utah Flash may be the next in line.

The Flash are scheduled to meet with the McKay Events Center board today to talk about their three-year lease at the McKay Center in Orem.

"I think any successful sports team depends on the success or failure of its arena deal," said Flash owner Brandt Andersen. "The amount we're paying is about the second or third most expensive in the league."

According to Andersen, the Flash are in the second-year of a three-year lease at the McKay Events Center. The team can get out of its lease by paying a fee if they decide they want to leave by June 30.

Where would the team go?

Team president Joe Brown met with representatives at Salt Lake Community College and the E Center as possible venues. Both venues were offering less expensive rent, but that would mean relocating the team, something that Andersen is reluctant to do.

"No question we want to stay here," Andersen said. "It's a perfect venue for what we're trying to do. We have no desire to move. People have to understand it's a community venture. If it's well supported and wanted by the community, it stays. If not, we'll look at moving it."

The Flash bought a new basketball floor priced at over $150,000 which is used by the Utah Valley University and the Flash. The team has also pumped money into the local economy. In addition to playing 24 home games a year, the Flash hosted the D-League Showcase, which brought in 15 D-League teams for nearly a week in January.

The Utah Flash Foundation contributed to the Legacy Center, a library/kids center in Lehi, and, according to Andersen the Foundation, has donated $250,000 in the first two years to families in Utah County as well as 7,000 man hours.

The Flash also own the Factory, a basketball and sports training facility, in Lehi.

In other Flash news, Andersen confirmed that the team has offered a contract to head coach Brad Jones, who coached the team for the first two seasons.

Jones posted a 58-46 record in his two seasons and coached the Flash to the D-League finals last year, but his contract expired following the 2009 season. He is expected to have a decision by next week.

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