Trail Blazers and Seahawks Owner PAUL ALLEN is "in a good mood" these days, with his undefeated NFL squad looking "like a Super Bowl team," according to Brier Dudley of the SEATTLE TIMES. Allen gave a "rare and far-ranging interview," and when asked if the Seahawks were going to win the Super Bowl said, "No sports predictions. I’m a very cautious guy when it comes to those things. There are so many things that could happen. But we’re certainly off to a good start. It’s great to be able to go into the locker room and celebrate with the guys after a win. And [Seahawks coach PETE CARROLL] is ... by far the most positive coach. Players feed off his positive energy." Meanwhile, Allen said of retiring Microsoft CEO and former NBA Kings bidder STEVE BALLMER, "When Steve was part of that Sacramento bid, I gave him advice and tried to tell him about some of the ropes and the challenges he needed to meet the NBA’s criteria as a prospective owner, for his bid and everything. Unfortunately that didn’t work out. ... I love sports, but Steve is just right there in terms of his love for professional sports. So it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s involved in a sports franchise after he retires." But he added of Seattle's future chances of landing an NBA team, "I think it will happen, but I can’t predict when" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/29).
