News just broke an hour or so ago via Twitter that the city of Seattle and Christopher Hansen, a Seattle-born millionaire have scheduled a press conference for Thursday to announce details on a potential NBA and/or NHL arena being built in downtown Seattle.
Hansen has purchased land just south of Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field. That is the likely site for any new sporting venue once the announcement is made tomorrow.
Currently the Sacramento Kings appear to be the main candidates for relocation to Seattle. The city and team have until March 1st to agree on a new arena deal. If they do not, the owners are free to move the team.
If any team does relocate to Seattle, they will use Key Arena until the new venue is constructed.
Here are a few looks at arena designs that had been proposed in the past:
It’s unclear if Thursday’s news conference will answer whether Seattle will soon have a new NBA team, but Hansen and Mayor Mike McGinn have an announcement regarding a new sports complex, according to reports. The news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Seattle Times, which originally broke the arena story two weeks ago, reported that Hansen met with three Seattle City Council members on Wednesday to discuss the arena deal.
“We’re very close to announcing our offer to the city. That’s why I’m here,” Hansen told the Times on Tuesday.
Hansen is a relatively unknown name in the realm of multimillionaires connected to Seattle. A graduate of Roosevelt High School, he’s not alone in wanting pro basketball back in the Emerald City. A potential site on the Eastside is being eyed by potential investors like Chicago businessman Donald Levin and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
But Hansen seems like the real deal.
Source: Nick Eaton (PI)
