NBA rejects Seattle. (Bellevue, Renton: sales, 2013, sales tax)

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I don't know why anyone would be surprised. The NBA wanted Sacramento to build a new arena, and they are getting their wish. Seattle never had a chance despite the hard efforts of Hansen. Always seemed like a brilliant guy so I think he may have known he would be used and likely has something up his sleeve. Perhaps he is willing to go ahead with the project without a team but more likely
he'll sit on it for a few years and see what happens when Stern is replaced.

Stern did use Hansen. Hopefully Hansen gets his money back - and then some.

[pw72]

I don't think a new arena will be built with the "hope" of an NHL franchise. No net gain there.

Back to the NBA, Stern hates Seattle, there is no question. Probably because the Sonics didn't come to the plate in 2007-08. So, yes, that is our fault. And by "our" I mean mostly elected officials.

Expansion is unlikely, unless a lawsuit pops its head up. Hmm, anyone remember the Seattle Pilots? For those who don't, the Pilots, who moved to become the Milwaukee Brewers, eventually created the Mariners.

And what about Howard Shultz? How is his stock doing in Seattle today?

[sean98125]

Why move ahead with the arena? We have an 18,000 seat arena sitting mostly empty with tons of parking around it. The NHL can play there.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by sean98125

Why move ahead with the arena? We have an 18,000 seat arena sitting mostly empty with tons of parking around it. The NHL can play there.

Are you talking about KeyArena? No, it is not NHL ready.

Unless I misunderstood your post. Perhaps you mean a "potential" NHL arena. ?

[RunTheDistance476]

Hansen is really a standout guy from what there is to tell. His tireless effort and sacrifices alone deserved the team. Willing to pay for the salaries of all current Kings employees for 18 months if they didn't want to relocate? Who else would have done that?

This is sick, really sick. If I was Hansen, I would find any way possible to sue the absolute **** out of the NBA.

[BellevueNative]

Posted tonight on the Sonics Arena website:

To The Sonics Faithful

While we are disappointed with the relocation committee’s recommendation, we just wanted to let you all know that we remain fully committed to seeing this transaction through. As you are all well aware, we have a binding transaction to purchase the Kings for what would be a record price for an NBA franchise, have one of the best ownership groups ever assembled to purchase a professional sports team in the US, have clearly demonstrated that we have a much more solid Arena plan, have offered a much higher price than the yet to be finalized Sacramento Group, and have placed all of the funds to close the transaction into escrow. As such, we plan to unequivocally state our case for both relocation and our plan to move forward with the transaction to the league and owners at the upcoming Board of Governor’s Meeting in Mid-May.

When we started this process everyone thought it was impossible. While this represents yet another obstacle to achieving our goal, I just wanted to reassure all of you that we have numerous options at our disposal and have absolutely no plans to give up. Impossible is nothing but a state of mind.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ―Muhammad Ali
—Chris Hansen

Even if the owners vote to not allow relocation, they still may approve the sale of the Kings to Sacramento. And there is no reason to reject the offer technically. The vote is not to decide which bid to accept - it is just on whether the sale agreement between Chris Hansen and the Maloofs is approved. A part of me wonders if Chris Hansen is thinking of playing the odds and buying the team anyway, thinking that Sacramento's ownership and arena deal will fall apart. Then he'll be in a position to petition for relocation to Seattle again. Just like what Clay Bennett did.

[Seacove]

Could Hansen take the NBA to court and perhaps settle for an expansion team? It feels like they completely used him, it seems like he has a case. $30M buys a lot of lawyers.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by bxtx

Frankly, I don't care.

The Sonics left because they didn't earn enough revenue. Also, NHL tickets are CRAZY EXPENSIVE! I mean Seahawks expensive. I think people would have had sticker shock.

Regarding NHL ticket prices, it depends on the city. In most NHL cities they are not too expensive- I have been to games in some places where decent seats (not the cheapest ones) are $30. Sure they are "Seahawks" expensive in Vancouver due to that being wildly popular there, but check out prices in most US cities, they really aren't bad at all (San Jose, Denver, and even Detroit are a few I have experience with).

[Count David]

Have the two groups play 5 on 5 to settle it. Neutral site in Portland.

Sacramento has the advantage with Kevin Johnson, but it'd be weird seeing him in a Kings uniform.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by pw72

I don't think a new arena will be built with the "hope" of an NHL franchise. No net gain there.

Back to the NBA, Stern hates Seattle, there is no question. Probably because the Sonics didn't come to the plate in 2007-08. So, yes, that is our fault. And by "our" I mean mostly elected officials.

Expansion is unlikely, unless a lawsuit pops its head up. Hmm, anyone remember the Seattle Pilots? For those who don't, the Pilots, who moved to become the Milwaukee Brewers, eventually created the Mariners.

And what about Howard Shultz? How is his stock doing in Seattle today?

Down slightly overall. I don't know that there is data for the stock locally, but I have seen many a person on the way to work still sucking on a Starbucks coffee this morning. NBA basketball/Sonics fans are still not a huge percentage of Seattle residents and workers, the diehard fans are just very vocal.

Starbucks Corporation
NASDAQ: SBUX - Apr 30 10:48am ET
60.49-0.09‎ (-0.15%‎)