December has long been eyed as the latest the start of KeyArena's full demolition could be pushed outGETTY IMAGES
The city of Seattle "won't allow KeyArena demolition to begin" until the NHL awards an expansion team, but documents show that city officials "feel delaying the demolition until that expected December team approval still allows the renovation to finish" by its October '20 target, according to Geoff Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. December has "long been eyed as the latest the start of full demolition could be pushed out." However, there have been "delays in a ticket-sales process," and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "slammed the brakes." Bettman "insisted" that all KeyArena construction "must be signed off on by the city, and local minority team ownership approved first" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/8). Seattle-based KING-NBC's Chris Daniels noted the deal presented Friday also "includes a non-relocation agreement for the NHL franchise over the course of the 39-year lease." The city said that there also seems to be "some protections in case the NHL ownership team was to change." NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that the league has "also considered" a '21 start date. Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke said, "We are focused on and expect to be ready for the 2020-2021 season should approval be given. ... Should that direction from the NHL change, we are prepared to move to 2021-2022" (KING5.com, 9/7).
