NCAA Volleyball Final Four coming to Seattle (Pacific: 2014, how much)

[SonicsFan93]

Even after the Sonics left, I don't think that KeyArena and lower Queen Anne have fared as badly as some may think:

NCAA volleyball Final Four coming to KeyArena in 2013

The University of Washington will host the NCAA women's volleyball championship for the first time in 2013, as well as being a regional site in 2010 and 2014, the NCAA and Seattle Sports Commission announced Friday.

The 2013 Final Four will be held at KeyArena, with semifinals on Dec. 19 and the title game on Dec. 21.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said the tournament would have a positive impact on lower Queen Anne and the Seattle Center area, with an economic impact study showing the 2007 tournament in Sacramento resulted in nearly $5 million in direct tourism spending.

[lovingthegreen]

Not only that, but the Storm always draw strong crowds. Conversely, however, there is nothing economically that can match an NBA team (of course, hosting an NBA team can be pretty costly too, especially if they are using taxpayer money for anything, like building a new arena for a future team, for example).

That is awesome that the Volleyball Final Four is coming to Seattle. With how much the sport is supported here in Seattle (at least at UW, I don't know much about the high school and youth scenes), definitely a good move by the NCAA. Volleyball is one of those sports that not many know about, but once you start learning more about it, it can be a lot of fun to watch.

[SonicsFan93]

What really bugs me is the argument that Seattle Center is becoming a ghost town now that the Sonics are gone. Besides the fact that with the Storm, Seattle U Basketball, the Rat City Rollergirls, and various concerts, KeyArena is doing okay, last year EMP had it's highest attended year since it opened. And then there's McCaw Hall, the Seattle Children's Museum and Children's Theatre, the Pacific Science Center, etc. I think Seattle Center is doing pretty well.