TPG Capital co-Founder and potential NHL owner David Bonderman yesterday "spent the day in Seattle, and -- in particular -- at Seattle City Hall, meeting with Seattle City Council members about the potential renovation of KeyArena," according to Chris Daniels of Seattle-based KING-NBC. Bonderman was "spotted in the Seattle City Hall lobby" with Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, and OVG Dir of Special Projects Lance Lopes. Bonderman's visit comes as OVG "begins negotiations with the city" on a proposed $564M remodel of KeyArena at Seattle Center. His background and wealth "gives the project instant credibility." It is "unclear what exactly he discussed during the meetings with council members, but in the very least it's a physical sign of his level of interest in bringing hockey to Seattle" (KING5.com, 7/31).
SONIC BOOM? NBA.com's David Aldridge noted when and if the NBA does expand, many owners "continue to strongly support Seattle." One owner said, "I believe Seattle should have the first shot. I think a move is more likely than expansion, but right now, neither looks likely." Another owner said, "There are some markets that would be [a] great addition to the NBA but in terms of expansion, I think we need 30 solid teams first." Aldridge noted immediacy is "not on Seattle’s side." The NBA business is "currently booming," and it is "hard to see much appetite for owners to split" the $24B they are getting from the TV networks through '25 with one or two more new groups. A third NBA owner said that the $2B price for the Clippers "should be 'the starting point' for any expansion team’s entrance fee, whether in Seattle or the handful of other cities considered potential candidates for expansion" (NBA.com, 7/31).
