keyarena
Investor Chris Hansen is seeking to control operations at city-owned KeyArena, where the Sonics would play the next two seasons if Hansen can successfully relocate the Sacramento Kings to Seattle.

Investor Chris Hansen wants the run of KeyArena if Sonics return

BY Tim Haeck  on February 25, 2013 @ 12:48 pm (Updated: 1:32 pm - 2/25/13 )

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If the Sonics return to Seattle this fall, the team will make KeyArena its temporary home, and investor Chris Hansen wants to run the operation there.

City councilmembers were briefed Monday on developments and progress on a new arena and preparing a temporary home, if the Sacramento Kings are relocated to Seattle. The NBA team would play in the city-owned KeyArena for up to three years.

"Right now, we're beginning the discussion about the terms for using KeyArena," city council central staffer Dan Eder told councilmembers. "All options are on the table [and] Mr. Hansen is interested in controlling all operations at KeyArena."

Hansen's agreement with Seattle and King County includes at least $7 million for improvements to the Seattle Center building.

KeyArena is the home floor for the Seattle Storm and Seattle University Redhawks and discussions with those tenants are already underway to reserve dates for use by the Sonics in the 2013-2014 NBA season.

The issue of alternate sites for a new basketball arena in Seattle remains a topic of concern for some city councilmembers. Sally Bagshaw insisted she supports bringing the Sonics back but she noticed that an economic impact statement is limited to potential SoDo and Seattle Center sites.

"We aren't necessarily looking at the next question, which is, is there a better place or other place in the city that would have even a better economic impact for us?"

Councilmembers were told that city staff is working on what specific information will go into an Environmental Impact Statement. A draft version is due in June and a final EIS should be ready in November.

Hansen has purchased significant amounts of land in Sodo, and has reached an agreement to purchase the Sacramento Kings with the team's majority owners, and is applying for relocation to Seattle. A vote by NBA owners on the sale and purchase, plus relocation, is expected in April.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • CH wrote...
    Investor Chris Hansen wants to run the operation there [I want to win the loto]
    February 25, 2013 5:23 pm
    sorry CH the "taxpayers" own Key Arena you will be renting it not running it and it won't be cheap! Dig deep Super Suckers to pay off the Bonds. $30 hotdogs? $20 can of beer?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    CH
    February 25, 2013 5:28 pm
    In case you didn't read, Hansen has to do $7 million of improvements as part of his existing agreement with the city for the new arena. If he's going to be upgrading an arena he's going to use short term for the existing tenants, please tell me why he shouldn't want to control the operation? The "taxpayers" don't own/run the arena...the City does...and they've done such a wonderful job in the past. So wonderful that there's no basketball team here.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mayday56 wrote...
    Don't be cheap
    February 25, 2013 6:10 pm
    If not for Hansen, what would be in the Key(which by the way is a hole). He's bringing a big business into town, and jobs, and this is how you thank him. Quit being cheap!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    mayday
    February 25, 2013 6:14 pm
    Right on! He has a vision and he is putting major capital on the line.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Since 1980 wrote...
    Seattle Sports
    February 25, 2013 6:57 pm
    Why is it so easy to say NO to a good thing. This has been going on for at least 20 years
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    I want the money to funnel into the Tax payers.
    February 25, 2013 7:39 pm
    Hey we built it with tax paying moneies. Why can't the tax payers get some revenue back. No what we get back is a part time minimum job. People of the NorthWest need to get involved in getting your fare share profits back or expect taxes to keep going up. Get it all you stupid idiots.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rayvensdad wrote...
    Um...
    February 25, 2013 10:09 pm
    Wow........ Bartender, I'll have what he's having! And make it a double!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Frogsplash wrote...
    Can anyone translate this?
    February 26, 2013 8:52 am
    Anyone?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hectic wrote...
    Well Duh
    February 26, 2013 5:41 am
    Of course CH should be in charge while they are at the Key. It's his team, it's his money, it's his idea; if it wasn't for him none of this would be happening. And you naysayers can relax, the taxpayers will get their share, guaranteed.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }