- Sonics stuff - By ROBERT MAK / KING 5 News
SEATTLE - A year ago, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was pushing hard for a remodel of Key Arena to keep the Seattle SuperSonics in town.
But when the mayor gave his state of the city speech recently, the Sonics didn't make the cut.
Nickels is still hoping the team will stay, but he made it clear Wednesday that his focus is the Alaskan Way Viaduct and getting it replaced with a tunnel.
"I've got a concern for the Key Arena, not so much if the Sonics make money, that's not my concern. They're very rich people, they take care of themselves and they make business decisions," he said.
The mayor is picking his battles and finding money to replace the viaduct with a tunnel is at the top of his list.
As for the Sonics threatening to leave town, he said the priority is not the Sonics bottom line, but making sure key arena is in the black.
"That's my concern and we'll take care of that. But it's not as immediate a problem and it certainly is not as high a priority as making sure that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is replaced in a safe and appropriate manner," he said.
And the City Council appears to think the mayor's got it right.
Several council members said they're willing to put some money into remodeling key arena, but not the amount the Sonics are asking for.
"If not the mayor to champion the Sonics, I don't know who is going to be their champion," said Councilman Peter Steinbrueck.
Some council members say the mayor is sending a strong signal that the public doesn't have the appetite, for subsidizing a $200 million remodel of Key Arena, even if that means losing a team.
"So be it," said Steinbrueck, "they may have to find their way somewhere else. Who knows, maybe Bellevue will figure out a plan for them, but we just cannot spend that kind of money again
And the world won't end of the Sonics leave, said Nickels.
"I think that's one of the things that makes this a vibrant place. But we can also imagine a future without NBA basketball that could be perfectly fine out at the Seattle Center."
"We've been working hard on the issue. But realistically, there's a chance that they won't be part of the future, and we need to consider that and have plans for that."
The Sonics owners' group will meet in about two weeks and which time the team says the owners will consider all options, including the possibility of selling the team.
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March 16, 2006 6:20 PM
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Erica - MISSED - the real news of yesterday
Nickels on Sonics - Goodbye ( my headline)
- Sonics stuff - By ROBERT MAK / KING 5 News
SEATTLE - A year ago, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was pushing hard for a remodel of Key Arena to keep the Seattle SuperSonics in town.
But when the mayor gave his state of the city speech recently, the Sonics didn't make the cut.
Nickels is still hoping the team will stay, but he made it clear Wednesday that his focus is the Alaskan Way Viaduct and getting it replaced with a tunnel.
"I've got a concern for the Key Arena, not so much if the Sonics make money, that's not my concern. They're very rich people, they take care of themselves and they make business decisions," he said.
The mayor is picking his battles and finding money to replace the viaduct with a tunnel is at the top of his list.
As for the Sonics threatening to leave town, he said the priority is not the Sonics bottom line, but making sure key arena is in the black.
"That's my concern and we'll take care of that. But it's not as immediate a problem and it certainly is not as high a priority as making sure that the Alaskan Way Viaduct is replaced in a safe and appropriate manner," he said.
And the City Council appears to think the mayor's got it right.
Several council members said they're willing to put some money into remodeling key arena, but not the amount the Sonics are asking for.
"If not the mayor to champion the Sonics, I don't know who is going to be their champion," said Councilman Peter Steinbrueck.
Some council members say the mayor is sending a strong signal that the public doesn't have the appetite, for subsidizing a $200 million remodel of Key Arena, even if that means losing a team.
"So be it," said Steinbrueck, "they may have to find their way somewhere else. Who knows, maybe Bellevue will figure out a plan for them, but we just cannot spend that kind of money again
And the world won't end of the Sonics leave, said Nickels.
"I think that's one of the things that makes this a vibrant place. But we can also imagine a future without NBA basketball that could be perfectly fine out at the Seattle Center."
"We've been working hard on the issue. But realistically, there's a chance that they won't be part of the future, and we need to consider that and have plans for that."
The Sonics owners' group will meet in about two weeks and which time the team says the owners will consider all options, including the possibility of selling the team.