A quarrel has "erupted" between Paul Allen and King County
in the backdrop of a gubernatorial campaign as County Exec Gary
Locke's letter to the Seahawks becomes the "focus of
controversy," according to Almond & Schaefer in the SEATTLE
TIMES. In his letter, Locke "acknowledged that his commitment is
not the same as six months ago when he made oral promises"
regarding concessions in the Kingdome lease. Bob Whitsitt,
President of Allen's Football Northwest, responded to Locke's
correspondence, saying, "We're very disappointed that we're being
used as a political football." According to Whitsitt, one of
Locke's oral promises dealt with shortening the Kingdome lease
"with no strings attached," whereas in his letter, Locke agrees
to a three-year lease "if the team remained in the community for
10 years." Locke says the recent flap "is not a deal breaker" in
Allen's purchase of the Seahawks from Ken Behring. But Allen has
said the only way to keep the Seahawks in Seattle "is to form a
private-public partnership," and the TIMES' Almond and Schaefer
note the change is seen as "unsettling from Allen's perspective.
If the county backs out of these promises, what will happen
during the more difficult stadium negotiations?" Although
Locke's letter said it would protect the county's investment in
the Kingdome, reportedly, "at least three council members said
they question giving up any more revenue to a sports franchise"
(SEATTLE TIMES, 8/29). The TIMES' Jim Simon notes the stadium
issue is shaping the WA gubernatorial race. Simon notes, "The
political fallout is raining primarily on Locke," in his quest
for the Democratic nomination. Former Congressman Jay Inslee's
platform is an "anti-stadium appeal as a way to differentiate
himself from the much better known Locke." Locke is seen as a
supporter of using tax dollars on a new stadium (SEATTLE TIMES,
8/29).
RUN THE OPTION: The Seahawks facility options are analyzed
by the SEATTLE TIMES' Richard Seven. A remodeling of the
Kingdome -- which Gary Locke backs -- has costs estimates between
$197-250M. Paul Allen and the NFL have eyed an outdoor, grass-
field stadium, "possibly overlooking the downtown skyline." The
main "obstacle" is taxpayers still owe $130M on the Dome. Husky
Stadium, which has more seats than the Dome, and "seems to fit
Allen's vision of a spectacular outdoor stadium," is a
possibility. Remodeling Husky is "probably cheaper" than
renovating the Dome or a new stadium, with new stadium estimates
at $200-250M. Reported talks with the Mariners about delaying
their plans for a new ballpark to work with the Seahawks have
"stalled." The Mariners are "steaming ahead" with plans to build
in time for the '99 season (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/26).
