Hudson Pacific Properties President, CEO & Chair Victor Coleman "wants to own" an NHL team in Seattle, and it is "clear Coleman has the support of the NHL," according to Chris Daniels of Seattle-based KING-NBC. One league source described Coleman as "the real deal." Coleman: "I think the demographic base (in Seattle) and the desire of the NHL in that marketplace is the perfect match right now. The expansion of the NHL into the Pacific Northwest, with Vancouver and the presiding area, makes it a perfect fit. There are built in synergies. That’s a ‘Day 1’ rivalry." He added that the city has a "clear path" to attaining an NHL team. Daniels noted that path "runs through" hedge fund manager Chris Hansen, who in '12 negotiated a deal to build a new NBA and NHL complex, but has "long said he is only interested in owning an NBA franchise." Two sources said that Hansen and Coleman "met in person a couple of weeks ago, and have been actively talking for months." The sources indicated that the two ownership groups "have signed a 'non-binding' agreement which lays out the terms for Coleman’s contribution to the project and his potential revenue streams for a hockey franchise." They added that two other hockey ownership groups -- one led by AHL Chicago Wolves Owner Don Levin, the other by RLB Holdings Founder & Managing Partner Ray Bartoszek -- have "not laid out similar groundwork." Coleman: "The location Chris has established is the right location, and we’re excited to be a part of that. That’s the best location we see, surrounding the transportation needs." He added, "There is obviously a deal in place that can get done" (KING5.com, 8/12). YAHOO SPORTS' Greg Wyshynski wrote basketball "is the priority" for Hansen and "has been the priority for the city and the county." Convincing them otherwise is "going to come down to timing, opportunity (for relocation or expansion) and, perhaps, Victor Coleman" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/13).
