Tribe Approves Feasibility Study For Sonics Arena; Team Silent

The Muckleshoot Tribe has hired DC-based Brailsford & Dunlavey to conduct a feasibility study on a potential Sonics arena on its land adjacent to Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, but the move “was met with public silence Wednesday from Sonics ownership,” according to Greg Johns of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER.  The tribe sent a letter yesterday to Seattle Sports Commission Exec Dir Ralph Morton “indicating its interest in ‘exploring options for the development of an events center’ that could host the Sonics and [WNBA] Storm.”  However, Sonics PR Dir Tom Savage said that he could “provide no response or statements from anyone in Sonics management.”  Johns reports Sonics Owner Clay Bennett "apparently hasn't spoken with the Muckleshoot group since an introductory meeting in February, but has maintained that he’s open to alternative suggestions after his proposal for a multipurpose facility in Renton died in the [state] Legislature” (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 6/28).