Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Seattle agrees on arena deal


NanuqoftheNorth

Recommended Posts

628x471.jpg

In this aerial photo taken Aug. 21, 2012, Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, rear, are shown near downtown Seattle. A new arena in Seattle that would be built just south of Safeco Field and that could bring NBA basketball back to the city appeared a step closer to reality as Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn issued a statement late Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, saying he welcomes the news that the Seattle City Council has decided to support bringing basketball back to Seattle.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / AP

Read more: http://www.seattlepi...p#ixzz26VutUonf

Chris Hansen has a ticket to shop.

His list is short: Find an NBA franchise willing to sell and bring professional basketball back to Seattle.

Hansen, the investor trying to build a new arena, said Thursday that the league has been closely watching what's taking place in the Pacific Northwest and a renegotiated memorandum of understanding between Hansen and the city council on the proposed arena goes a long way to easing the league's concerns about Hansen's plan.

"It means a lot to the NBA," Hansen said. "They've been watching very close to what we're doing. I think going in they were very skeptical we would get to this point given our history in Seattle.

"It's a great win for the city with the league."

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019150328_apbknnewseattlearena3rdldwritethru.html?prmid=4939

The plan for the $490 million arena, which also could host an NHL team, represents the best shot at bringing the NBA back to Seattle. The SuperSonics ended their 41-year run here in 2008 and skipped town for Oklahoma City, where they became the Thunder.

Though formal votes are still required, Tuesday's announcement effectively gave Hansen, a San Francisco hedge-fund manager, and his fellow investors, including Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Peter and Erik Nordstrom, of the department store clan, the green light to begin shopping for an NBA team.

The deal calls for $200 million in public financing to be paid back by arena-related taxes and rent. Under new terms announced by the city council, Hansen would double to $30 million the reserves required to be kept on hand in case the arena's finances don't perform as expected.

And at the end of the 30-year use agreement for the new arena, the city could force Hansen to buy it back for $200 million or make him pay to have it torn down should the team move on.

"This agreement could fundamentally change the model of how public-private partnerships involving sports franchises are structured," said councilman Tim Burgess.

http://espn.go.com/n...d-new-nba-arena

Ryanjobe12

As a lifelong Sonics fan, the last 4 years of my life have been terrible. THIS IS THE HAPPIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE...more

204 fans like this.

User ID:http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/ryanjobe12

September 10 2012, 11:18 PM

BLUEandGREEN206

*cue Squatch coming down from the rafters*...more

88 fans like this.

User ID:http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/blueandgreen206

September 11 2012, 12:00 AM

marinersblue96

While I am excited about the prospect of the NBA returning to Seattle. I do feel somewhat bad about lying in wait like some type of vulture for another cities team. Then again only Mark Cuban and Paul Allen voted against the Sonics moving to OKC.

But for the fans in Sacramento, Minneapolis and Milwaukee I do feel for you because one of these three cities basketball team will be playing in Seattle in the next 3 years....more

143 fans like this.

User ID:http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/marinersblue96

September 11 2012, 8:03 AM

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Too many NBA teams. Contraction would improve the quality of the league. Expansion is going to dilute the product.

A lot of people agree with you.

These Seattle guys are financially loaded, some of the NBAs current owners claim to be hurting financially. We will see if they can pry a team loose from another city.

If not, they will be great leverage for current NBA owners looking for government handouts to support their dreams of new arenas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What would a new Seattle NBA team name be? Would it be the Super Sonics or something cool like the Seattle hippies

The city of Seattle came to an agreement with the owners of the Sonics when the team wanted to break its lease and move to OK City a few years back that the team name and colors would remain with Seattle.

All the team history though went to OK. Not sure why, other than they just wanted to be dicks about it. Why would OK City want Seattle basketball sports history and memorabilia?

Should be interesting to see how long it takes to pry a team from another city. Could be quick, could take years. Money won't be an issue. These guys are billionaires.

They are also on the prowl for an NHL team. I think they may have more luck in the short term finding one of those teams to buy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Key Arena is/was a poo hole and too small to financially support an NBA team these days, so I'm happy for Seattle that they are getting a new arena and can hopefully get a team back...and I'm pretty sure they'd be called the Supersonics again.

As for NHL....I'm thinking there's quite a few cities ahead of them on the list...but they've got a huge population to draw from and an immediate rivalry with nearby Vancouver of course.

Could make for some potentially great, and expensive, weekends to Seattle for Seahawk games if you can add in another game or two!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

New Orleans would love to move to Seattle. :)

Until earlier this year New Orleans Hornets were indeed a prime cadidate, not so much now.

The New Orleans Hornets and the state of Louisiana on Friday jointly announced a long-term lease agreement that will bind the team to New Orleans Arena through 2024...

There are no escape clauses in the contract, unlike the Hornets' current lease which had opt-out provisions if certain attendance or financial benchmarks were not met.

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/03/new_orleans_hornets_state_anno.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I'm going with Robinson tonight.
    • I've watched and listened to several evaluations from the good ole youtubers.  From what I was able to watch, the first few drives before I left to do a job to the end of the game were very different for Bryce.  So he had a "good" game.  Which is great.  I love a win, period.  His WRs had some drops, thing ripped away, etc.  Not great, but a W is a W, right? I think the Panthers have to start Bryce.  You have to see if he continues to build on the good plays and make fewer and fewer bad plays.  No QB is going to play a perfect game.  But we need to continue to see Bryce make plays.  Does he have the ability to will his team to victory?  I'm not sure. I'm still in the Bryce is a backup QB camp.  I'm glad he had a good game, I glad we won, but I need to see more before we make a decision to keep or trade him.  Playing Andy literally does NOTHING to help you for the future.  Andy may not even resign with the Panthers.  We could be out both starting QBs by the time FA/Draft season hits. Ultimately, this is a Dan Morgan and Dave Canales issue.  Can they get value out of Bryce to help them improve the total roster?  Is there a FA QB who would be an upgrade?  A surprise cut or post season trade?  Or is there a QB at the top of the draft who they think they can mold into a high level starting QB?  I don't know. I do know I want to see more of Bryce Young and more out of him on the field.  I want to see the fire, the competitor come out.  I want him getting pissed.  I want him to grab his beanbag and tell us all he's the f'ing dude.  I just don't think we'll see that out of Bryce.  If not the fire, then let me see the ice - let me see the rattle proof dude who kills with accuracy and playmaking no matter how hot and crazy it gets.
×
×
  • Create New...