KeyArena -- the Storm's longtime home -- is undergoing a two-year renovation in anticipation of an NHL teamNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The WNBA Seattle Storm have "reached an agreement" with the Univ. of Washington to play regular-season games at Alaska Airlines Arena in '19 while KeyArena undergoes a two-year, $700M renovation, according to Percy Allen of the SEATTLE TIMES. Storm co-Owner Lisa Brummel said the deal is a one-year “trial” and added “assuming it goes well, we’re all of the mind that we’d like to continue for 2020.” Allen notes it is uncertain how many of the Storm's 17 regular-season home games "will be on campus." Additionally, there are "no guarantees the building will be available" if the Storm advance to the postseason. The Storm are considering hosting their one home exhibition at an "off-campus facility." Brummel: "We may get more creative from our own business side and maybe look at some other places as well to try to expand our base." The Storm and UW had to "work through the potentially thorny issue of the 91-year-old building ... not having air conditioning." Because WNBA rules require teams to play in air-conditioned venues, Brummel said that portable air-conditioning units "will be used next season for Storm home games at UW" (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/16).
SMOOTH TRANSITION: THE ATHLETIC's Jim Caple noted playing at Alaska Airlines Arena "should not be an issue for the Storm." While its capacity is "smaller than KeyArena (more than 17,000), the site still holds 10,000 fans with good views of the court from the seats that can be quite close to the floor" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/15). Storm Dir of Communications & Player Relations Kimberly Veale said that Storm 360 fan club members, ticket package buyers and those who have placed '19 deposits will soon be "sent information regarding ticket renewal options, seating locations and in-game experience changes" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/15).
