NBA, NHL Reportedly Supportive Of Key Arena Renovation Plan

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:49 pm

Tim Leiweke suggested Thursday that the NBA and NHL are aware of his efforts to renovate or rebuild KeyArena, and are supportive.

"I completely understand how they think. I completely understand their view and their opinion of Seattle. I completely understand how they want us to proceed. And I completely understand their feelings as to what this building should be and the timeline that we need to hit in order for them to look at a potential for Seattle to join one or the other, or both," said the sports business veteran. "We are following the lead, the direction and the input of Commissioner Bettman and Commissioner Silver."

Leiweke, the head of the Oak View Group, is the former head of AEG and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. He talked at length in Seattle on Thursday about the potential for the project and how it would be financed.

Leiweke brushed aside suggestions that he wouldn't be able to work with potential NBA or NHL tenants, if he's the building operator, saying OVG has had conversations with potential NHL franchise owners.

"We are prepared and have had conversations with people that are interested in the potential and opportunity of bringing an (NHL) team here. And we've been asked by those people to join them in the ownership, so that the building and team owner are 100 percent aligned," he said.

"We're prepared to be equal partners with anyone that owns a team. They can share the arena with us. We will be 50/50 partners."

This was Leiweke's way of responding to SoDo investor Chris Hansen's comments last month that KeyArena developers may only be interested in concert business.

"I admire Chris and his entrepreneurial spirit, and I think it's fantastic that a native son has fought so long, so hard, spent the money and taken the risk," said Leiweke. "But this is not about us versus him."

Despite city claims a redevelopment project could take five years, a project could be completed quicker.

"Our guess from the day a decision is made, and a deal is signed and approved by the city, you're probably three years more in the process. That will not cost us an opportunity."

Via Chris Daniels/KING

Pukovnik · Post #2 » by **Pukovnik** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:32 pm

I never understood, why did Hansen and his team wanted a new arena on a new land. That was the problem from the start. He should have bought the Key Arena, tear it down and build another one in the same place.

Post #3 » by **Cactus Jack** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:25 am

Key Arena & Seattle Center isn't an ideal location. Traffic & parking are difficult. The Sodo location is easier access for fans. This is key, because most season ticket holders don't live downtown. Sodo has always been the logical choice.

Sam195 · Post #4 » by **Sam195** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 7:06 am

This is just stupid. Canada deserves the next big nhl, nba and nfl team relocations. Quebec City can easily support a profitable nhl franchise and has a brand new arena. Vancouver in present day can easily support a profitable nba team that serves all fans in the western coast of Canada and bordering U.S cities like Seattle. The U.S sports leagues all work as a cartel to lobby the different levels of governments to cater to their demands and be influenced by the politicians they help elect to serve their interests. Toronto has no nfl team while LA may have two soon. The nhl basically seeks corporate welfare to keep teams in southwest states like Florida and Arizona. The nba just shouts out bs about opening franchises in the future in Mexico and the UK - like their players are dying to relocate their with their families to play on a team and the rosters on the other teams want to fly that far each season.

larry14r · Post #5 » by **larry14r** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 1:28 pm

Sam195 wrote:This is just stupid. Canada deserves the next big nhl, nba and nfl team relocations. Quebec City can easily support a profitable nhl franchise and has a brand new arena. Vancouver in present day can easily support a profitable nba team that serves all fans in the western coast of Canada and bordering U.S cities like Seattle. The U.S sports leagues all work as a cartel to lobby the different levels of governments to cater to their demands and be influenced by the politicians they help elect to serve their interests. Toronto has no nfl team while LA may have two soon. The nhl basically seeks corporate welfare to keep teams in southwest states like Florida and Arizona. The nba just shouts out bs about opening franchises in the future in Mexico and the UK - like their players are dying to relocate their with their families to play on a team and the rosters on the other teams want to fly that far each season.

If that happens either Detroit or Columbus will have move to the western conference which neither of them wants to.

WC NBA Fan · Post #6 » by **WC NBA Fan** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:44 pm

larry14r wrote:
Sam195 wrote:This is just stupid. Canada deserves the next big nhl, nba and nfl team relocations. Quebec City can easily support a profitable nhl franchise and has a brand new arena. Vancouver in present day can easily support a profitable nba team that serves all fans in the western coast of Canada and bordering U.S cities like Seattle. The U.S sports leagues all work as a cartel to lobby the different levels of governments to cater to their demands and be influenced by the politicians they help elect to serve their interests. Toronto has no nfl team while LA may have two soon. The nhl basically seeks corporate welfare to keep teams in southwest states like Florida and Arizona. The nba just shouts out bs about opening franchises in the future in Mexico and the UK - like their players are dying to relocate their with their families to play on a team and the rosters on the other teams want to fly that far each season.

If that happens either Detroit or Columbus will have move to the western conference which neither of them wants to.

Detroit has a leg to stand on. They are an original 6 franchise.

OTOH, Columbus is and always will be a relocation candidate. If moving them to the WC is what allows QC to be back in the game then by all means do it. If Columbus can't make ends meet then move them to Seattle assuming the arena really does get built.

Post #7 » by **Cactus Jack** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 5:42 pm

Sam195 wrote:This is just stupid. Canada deserves the next big nhl, nba and nfl team relocations. Quebec City can easily support a profitable nhl franchise and has a brand new arena. Vancouver in present day can easily support a profitable nba team that serves all fans in the western coast of Canada and bordering U.S cities like Seattle. The U.S sports leagues all work as a cartel to lobby the different levels of governments to cater to their demands and be influenced by the politicians they help elect to serve their interests. Toronto has no nfl team while LA may have two soon. The nhl basically seeks corporate welfare to keep teams in southwest states like Florida and Arizona. The nba just shouts out bs about opening franchises in the future in Mexico and the UK - like their players are dying to relocate their with their families to play on a team and the rosters on the other teams want to fly that far each season.

The league never should have moved the Grizzlies from Vancouver. But, Seattle definitely deserves both an NHL & NBA team.

BuckarooLegends · Post #8 » by **BuckarooLegends** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:44 pm

Not to be too pessimistic, but when Balmer bought the Clips, Hansen's chances went into the toilet. Balmer gave him clout that he doesn't have on his own. And as far as good ol' Todd Lie-wikki, he also doesn't have a snowball's chance in h*ll. Only Paul Allen could get an NHL team there and he's not interested. And as far as the NBA going back, Seattle deserves it, but IMO, OKC never did deserve it. There was some butt-buddy hanky-panky going on there with Bennett and Stern. Lastly, only a few people on the city and county counsels, want to upgrade Key Arena. However, Seattle is too full of pot-smokin', tree-huggin' "free souls" who just want everything to go back to nature, and the politicians have to pretty much cater to them, or get un-elected.

Post #9 » by **Cactus Jack** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:35 am

BuckarooLegends wrote:Not to be too pessimistic, but when Balmer bought the Clips, Hansen's chances went into the toilet. Balmer gave him clout that he doesn't have on his own. And as far as good ol' Todd Lie-wikki, he also doesn't have a snowball's chance in h*ll. Only Paul Allen could get an NHL team there and he's not interested. And as far as the NBA going back, Seattle deserves it, but IMO, OKC never did deserve it. There was some butt-buddy hanky-panky going on there with Bennett and Stern. Lastly, only a few people on the city and county counsels, want to upgrade Key Arena. However, Seattle is too full of pot-smokin', tree-huggin' "free souls" who just want everything to go back to nature, and the politicians have to pretty much cater to them, or get un-elected.

Disagree on Hansen. He has gone out of his way to appease the city. Still in contact with the league. Plus, if anything Ballmer is a strong advocate for the Seattle group. Not sure about Leiweke. Apparently he has potential NHL groups lined up. As usual Seattle has dragged its feet on getting anything completed. But, now that both proposals are supposedly 100% private. Hopefully, we get the green light.

larry14r · Post #10 » by **larry14r** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 1:07 am

WC NBA Fan wrote:
larry14r wrote:
Sam195 wrote:This is just stupid. Canada deserves the next big nhl, nba and nfl team relocations. Quebec City can easily support a profitable nhl franchise and has a brand new arena. Vancouver in present day can easily support a profitable nba team that serves all fans in the western coast of Canada and bordering U.S cities like Seattle. The U.S sports leagues all work as a cartel to lobby the different levels of governments to cater to their demands and be influenced by the politicians they help elect to serve their interests. Toronto has no nfl team while LA may have two soon. The nhl basically seeks corporate welfare to keep teams in southwest states like Florida and Arizona. The nba just shouts out bs about opening franchises in the future in Mexico and the UK - like their players are dying to relocate their with their families to play on a team and the rosters on the other teams want to fly that far each season.

If that happens either Detroit or Columbus will have move to the western conference which neither of them wants to.

Detroit has a leg to stand on. They are an original 6 franchise.

OTOH, Columbus is and always will be a relocation candidate. If moving them to the WC is what allows QC to be back in the game then by all means do it. If Columbus can't make ends meet then move them to Seattle assuming the arena really does get built.

Well Columbus has a better record then Detroit this year so what does that tell you.

WC NBA Fan · Post #11 » by **WC NBA Fan** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 4:56 pm

larry14r wrote:
WC NBA Fan wrote:
larry14r wrote:
If that happens either Detroit or Columbus will have move to the western conference which neither of them wants to.

Detroit has a leg to stand on. They are an original 6 franchise.

OTOH, Columbus is and always will be a relocation candidate. If moving them to the WC is what allows QC to be back in the game then by all means do it. If Columbus can't make ends meet then move them to Seattle assuming the arena really does get built.

Well Columbus has a better record then Detroit this year so what does that tell you.

All the more reason that their abysmal attendance should be questioned.