RealGM

Posted: **Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:46 pm**

Indeed.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/wongdoody-communications-announces-plans-new/story.aspx?guid=%7B62D40A92-78FB-4DA6-9550-79DA6412A162%7D

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 12:34 am**

Yep, plans for a new arena in Seattle will be announced tomorrow morning. There is no information at the moment, just speculation. The press release says in has entertainment and an exposition center. It sounds like LA Live.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 1:30 am**

an arena announcement on april 1st. ok. maybe i am being a little pessimistic here but.............hope i am wrong.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 2:33 am**

This mysterious plan was hinted at by Governor Christine Gregoire, who confirmed that she had a meeting at the beginning of the month with someone who was proposing a privately-financed arena development.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:22 am**

Now, even if an arena can be funded privately, would the plan still hinge on Bennett selling the team to a local group?

Would Bennett realistically agree to anything?

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:27 am**

I think if there is a plan for a new arena then Stern will have to keep the team here he and Bennet have said it all along and will be sued if they don't stick to that at the least, if an arena deal gets in place Bennet will probably sell the team.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 7:25 am**

Sonics3408 wrote:Now, even if an arena can be funded privately, would the plan still hinge on Bennett selling the team to a local group?

Would Bennett realistically agree to anything?

Who says the plan really involves Bennett? Other than lip service, what has lead anyone to believe that the plan all along has been to keep the current version of the Sonics here?

So there's rumblings of a plan not involving the Ballmer deal? Tomorrow could be a very...interesting...day for those who cheer the green and gold. I don't know if anyone thought it was actually possible, but things may get even more confusing and muddled than they were before.

The timing's dubious, but I wouldn't think KIRO, the Governor, and sonicscentral would be in on the joke...and word of this press conference leaked to the media some time last week.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:02 pm**

All I know is: Wongdoody is the coolest word to come out of Washington since Humptulips.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 3:47 pm**

What? No love for geoduck?

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 4:09 pm**

Huh, so now there's something like this emerging?

BTW: As far as i understand it, it's not about keeping the Sonics. It's about some expansion team or whatever coupled with the possibility of an NHL team as well. As it's also going to take quite some time before this arena would be ready to host any sport teams.

Also, Brian over on the sonicscentral isn't really sure about those plans.

So let's hope that this is something positiv, but that the mayor and Ballmer keep pushing the issue and find a solution for those missing $75 mil on their KeyArena re-model.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 4:51 pm**

Wongdoody, Fred Brown, B2, and April Fool's Day.

I keep thinking that somebody is going to write a book about the whole Sonics ordeal, similar to Thiel's book on the Mariners, and it will be a great read. This chapter writes itself.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 6:14 pm**

They just said on KOMO 4 that Downtown Freddy Brown is leading the group that wants to make a new arena for the Sonics and hockey downtown.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 7:01 pm**

SEATTLE -- A group led by former Sonic Fred Brown has announced a proposal to build a new downtown arena for basketball and hockey in Seattle.

His B2 company says it's looking for financing and a location for a facility to be called the Emerald City Center.

At a Tuesday news conference the group released a statement saying the arena to be financed privately would cost at least $1 billion. It has five possible locations, most near the existing Safeco Field and Qwest Field stadiums.

Brown was captain of the 1979 NBA champion Sonics team.

The current Sonics owner is planning to move the team from KeyArena to Oklahoma City because no one stepped forward to build a world-class arena.

Mayor Greg Nickels thanked Brown for his efforts but said the proposal is "a very long-range vision."

"KeyArena is our region's sports and entertainment facility. We remain focused on improving KeyArena so that it will remain the region'ssports and entertainment facility for years to come."

Group hopes to privately finance new Seattle arena

So they've got a plan but not the money?
And they've come out with it when Ballmer and the city are looking to find the missing $75 mil for the KeyArena re-model. And Brian over at Sonicscentral also mentiones that Bill Russell(who's sitting together with Bennett in a luxury suit, nearly all the time when he's at the Key) is involved in this as well.

What the heck do they want to accomplish with this?
http://www.emeraldcitycenter.com/

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 7:33 pm**

Is keep asking myself if there is anything positive to make of this proposal, and I come up empty. It's a tombstone.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 8:34 pm**

I will give them points for design but not necessarily functionality. I'm still trying to figure out where the retractable roof comes into play...

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:07 pm**

I would like to see the Pac. NW hall of fame though.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:09 pm**

The retractable roof is for Dr. Evil's spaceship. And it will cost...one billion dollars!

It's always a good idea to make your building look like a beetle. People love beetles.

The housing idea in the corner is just delightful! Who wouldn't want to live next to the Microsoft technology pavillion? You could shop in the retail store on your way to/from the PNW Sports Hall of Fame.

The Department of Agriculture will do handstands over the agriculture pavillion.

It's 100 percent privately financed (by nobody)! It will be profitable (in Bizarro World)! What's not to like?

I love it. It's WongDoodyific!

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:27 pm**

A $1 billion arena plan built on the hopes of one day luring another franchise here? Gee, let me check my pockets...I can kick in about...four dollars...and six--no, seventy three cents. Anyone else?

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 10:46 pm**

a stadium that looks like a giant beetle, no money, no site, no team to play in said stadium, usless retractable roof, oh and no money or site...............did i miss anything? jesus.

Posted: **Tue Apr 1, 2008 10:51 pm**

Meanwhile, our very own Downtown is conspicuously absent from this thread. I've never seen him and Fred Brown in the same place. Hmm.