| 08 February 2012
Image Courtesy of USA Today
The city of Seattle has been without an NBA franchise since the start of the 2008-2009 season. Ever since the day when it was announced the Sonics would be relocating to Oklahoma City, local officials along with NBA commissioner David Stern have assured fans a team could return to Seattle as long as funding for a new arena is secured. With talks heating up in the past couple of months regarding a new arena, it was only a matter of time before fans across the state started to talk about the possibility of a NBA franchise returning to the region.
Christopher Hansen, a San Francisco businessman who attended Roosevelt High School in Seattle, has been rumored to be interested in a parcel of land in the Sodo district south of Safeco Field that could eventually be used to build an arena. This report surfaced when a KING 5 investigation uncovered that Hansen had purchased some of this desired land. The acreage he bought is too small to house an arena, but many believe this was just the first step towards securing space and funding for a multi-sport arena.
With his Seattle connection, fans believe Hansen could be the one to step up and provide the main funding for an arena that would be taxpayer free. He has the resources to privately fund the project, and as Commissioner Stern alluded to four years ago, if an arena plan was finalized, the league would be open to returning to Seattle in the future.
This rumor died down the past several weeks, but the topic has once again surged to forefront of Seattle sports fans’ minds in recent days. Another KING 5 report uncovered that Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn had been in contact with Hansen for about a year in regards to this proposal. This revelation could accelerate talks with the NBA to bring a franchise back to Seattle as soon as next season.
This is where the Sacramento Kings come into play. The league has been pressuring the Maloofs, who own the Kings, to acquire funding for a new arena in the city. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA player, has been adamant in his belief that they will receive the necessary funding to complete this renovation. But this promise has yet to be fulfilled.
The NBA has been patient with the city the past few years. Many thought the Kings played their final season in Sacramento last year, when the rumor was the team was relocating to Anaheim. But when that proposal fell through, the NBA granted them one last chance. The Maloofs and the city of Sacramento have until March 1st to secure funding for a new arena.
That March 1st deadline will be a crucial date for Seattle fans that have any hope of seeing an NBA team next season. The Kings are really the only short-term option. If they stay in Sacramento, the wait will continue for at least the next season. New Orleans is another possibly, but not for next season.
In an interview with Salt Lake Tribune, David Stern said flat out he is open to the NBA returning to Seattle as soon as next season. The league would be willing to play in KeyArena for a maximum of two seasons while a new arena is built. As far as the NBA is concerned, we will know more on March 1st.
That brings the topic of conversation to the NHL. The Phoenix Coyotes are still searching for a new owner, and the NHL presented an ultimatum to them prior to this season that this would be their last chance to find a local owner. After this year, the NHL will be open to the possibility of relocating the Coyotes.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has been known to want a Seattle franchise in the future. Phoenix presents a unique opportunity for Seattle to acquire a team that, again, would start play as early as next season. Bettman, like Stern, is willing to play in KeyArena while an arena is under construction. Yes, the sightlines are terrible for hockey at the Key, but fans agree it would be better than not having a team at all.
In the end, the chances of acquiring both a NBA and NHL team for next season are slim, let alone getting just one of the two. But after months of silence, this latest news is promising. There is no doubt the NBA and NHL will come to Seattle in the future. It is only a matter of time.
--Alex Gallant (@Alex_Gallant)
