Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff's Oak View Group "wants to renovate" KeyArena and "make it compatible for NBA and NHL use," according to a front-page piece by Geoff Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. Leiweke said, "We believe in the KeyArena location. We believe that the studies have proven -- and we will continue to do additional studies as we go through this process -- that there is a chance to renovate and make that arena work for music and sports." Seattle Mayor Ed Murray confirmed late Thursday that AEG is also "interested in a renovation" of KeyArena. Murray in a statement said that the city will "issue a Request for Proposals in January." The news "caps a tumultuous week on the city’s arena front, coming on the heels" of hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen announcing that he will "forgo public financing and make an all-private pitch to build a new arena in the Sodo area." Leiweke said that his group is "fully capitalized and expects a KeyArena renovation to cost more than" the $285M forecast in a report last year by the AECOM architectural firm. He said that Oak View Group, "financially backed" in part by Madison Square Garden Group, "has the money to get a proper NBA/NHL renovation done and make things profitable for all parties." City officials suggest Hansen’s "announcement of an all-private pitch to build a Sodo arena was a pre-emptive move in the battle for public opinion because he knew KeyArena discussions were ongoing and a call for proposals was coming." Leiweke said that his group’s project "would be more like The Forum in Inglewood, Calif." It means the Oak View Group "wouldn’t have to renovate KeyArena 'on spec' for NHL and NBA and risk losing big money if no teams come here" (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/28).
