The city of Seattle legal department has retained N.Y.-based Inner Circle Sports consultant David Abrams to "advise its negotiation team" on the pending Oak View Group deal for KeyArena, according to Geoff Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. The city is in a "unique position, with two groups offering to build a modern winter sports venue with private funds." Most cities "never have one group offer that, let alone two," as with OVG "pledging to renovate KeyArena and Chris Hansen's proposed new facility in the Sodo District." Baker: "It's important the city not blow it on the negotiation front." Abrams will "advise city negotiators and be made available to the Seattle City Council for information on what to look for, ask for and avoid during this round of talks." The council itself is "seeking its own independent consultant to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated between OVG and the city." The council has "asked Mayor Ed Murray that the MOU draft be completed by Sept. 12 so that it can hold at least one public meeting before voting on the package" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/10).
