Seattle Mayor Admits I-91 Hurts Chances Of Making Arena Deal

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said that Tuesday’s vote approving Initiative 91 “severely reduces the chances of the city making an arena deal” with the new Sonics owners, according to Stuart Eskenazi of the SEATTLE TIMES. Nickels, who supported I-91, said, “If they’re willing to put private dollars toward enhancing a facility at Seattle Center, we’ll work with them. But if they’re looking for a public subsidy, I don’t think it will happen.” Jim Kneeland, a local PR liaison for the ownership group, said, “There is nothing really left to negotiate with Seattle. ... The vote clearly moved a Seattle Center solution further down the list” (SEATTLE TIMES, 11/9).

BACON, SAUSAGE & SONICS: In Seattle, Craig Harris reports an economic breakfast yesterday at Qwest Field featuring over 100 local business leaders “became more of an impromptu rally for the Sonics.” Among those who “raved about the cultural, social and economic benefits the Sonics bring to the region,” were Sonics interim CEO Danny Barth, Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke, Univ. of Washington AD Todd Turner and Seattle Sports Commission Exec Dir Ralph Morton. The Mariners did not take part in the economic forum. Leiweke: “Seeing the Sonics leave would be a sad day, but I don’t go there. At the end of the day, people will realize how important they are” (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 11/9).

I-91 Hurts Bennett’s Chances Of Arena Deal With Seattle

IN THE KEY: A SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER editorial states, “City officials must begin preparing for a KeyArena without pro basketball. ... The city’s financial options actually improve somewhat, of course, if the teams leave the region altogether; then there would be no world-class suburban arena to take away the Key’s concert business” (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 11/9).

TEMPTATION ISLAND: SI’s Chris Mannix notes Oklahoma City, where new Sonics Owner Clay Bennett lives and where some have speculated the team will relocate to, had 18 sellouts last year when hosting the Hornets, as well as an “unprecedented five seven-figure presenting sponsors.” An exec for a “big market” NBA team said landing five seven-figure presenting sponsorship deals is “amazing. If we get one, it’s an accomplishment.” Mannix notes the Celtics, Lakers and Knicks do not have any such sponsors. This season, Hornets season-ticket sales are up from 11,500 to 12,000, and only “scattered tickets” remain for games there this year. NBA Commissioner David Stern said, “Oklahoma City has a higher rate of interest in basketball than other (NBA) cities” (SI, 11/13 issue).

KINGS: Kings co-Owner Joe Maloof was interviewed by ESPN's Jim Gray during Wedneday's Pistons-Kings game and said of the arena referendum being voted down on Tuesday, “We really don’t have a Plan B right now. ... We need to go back and talk to David (Stern) and try to get some guidance from him and from the league. But our preference has always been to stay here in Sacramento and try to get something done here.” Gray: “So many other cities have been able to have … a public-private partnership in these arenas. Why has it been so difficult for you guys here?” Maloof: “Well, we’ve tried a number of different ways to get this thing done. We’re on our seventh proposal, actually. We’ve been at it six-and-a-half years ... I don’t think we’ll be able to get it done that way, through a referendum. I think there has to be another way to get something accomplished, aand that’s why we’re back at square one” (ESPN, 11/9).