Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen said he will not exercise
his option to buy the Seahawks without a "financial partnership
between the public and private sectors, including the county and
state" to improve or replace the Kingdome. The SEATTLE TIMES
reports Allen's sentiments were revealed in a two-page letter
mailed over the weekend to about 50,000 season ticket holders,
elected officials and community leaders. In the letter, Allen
said the team needs annual stadium revenue of at least $25M.
Currently, the Kingdome generates no more than $3M. Also, Allen
has set up a Web site (http://www.footballnw.com) and a toll-free
phone number (1-800-235-0284) to gather opinions and provide
information on the stadium issue. Allen purchased a 14-month
option in April to buy the Seahawks from Ken Behring for a
reported $200M. While Behring still owns the team, the
organization is being overseen by Blazers President Bob Whitsitt.
Behring's son, David, remains responsible for the daily
operations (Richard Seven, SEATTLE TIMES, 7/16). A spokesperson
for WA Gov. Mike Lowry said state participation "has not been
ruled out," but that Lowry does not believe a new facility is
necessary (AP/Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 7/16).
M'S BALLPARK TOO COSTLY: A cost estimate prepared by Huber,
Hunt & Nichols, general contractor for the new Mariners'
ballpark, places the facility at $48.3M over its $320M budget.
But, the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE's Heath Foster reports stadium board
members were "pleased" with the estimate. In an attempt to cut
costs, Tony Puma, Project Manager for the Board, said he would
seek a 5% size reduction, cutting seating capacity by 1-3,000,
and would re-examine the amount of space for the parking garage,
team offices and restaurants (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 7/16).
