Edmonton Oilers Visit Seattle, Threaten Relocation Without New Arena Deal

Edmonton Oilers release statement on Seattle visit

Edmonton Oilers officials are in Seattle for meetings on Monday, a prepared statement from the team said. They say they are exploring their options just 24 months before the expiration of the teams' lease at Rexall Place.

The Oilers have been in negotiations with the city of Edmonton for some time now over the building of a new downtown arena. Owner Daryl Katz has hinted before that the team might not remain in Edmonton if a new arena isn't built, and did so once again in the released statement attributed to Bob Black, Executive Vice President of the Katz Group.

"I can confirm that Daryl Katz, Patrick LaForge, Kevin Lowe and others from the Oilers leadership group are in Seattle for meetings and to attend the Seahawks game.

We remain committed to working with City Administration to achieve a deal commensurate with what Winnipeg and Pittsburgh have done to sustain the NHL in those small markets. If we can achieve such a deal, the Oilers will remain in Edmonton and we can get on with the important work of developing the new arena and investing in the continued revitalization of Edmonton's downtown core.

Nonetheless, and as the City of Edmonton is aware, the Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time. After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers' lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise.

We are extremely grateful to Oilers' fans for their patience and loyalty as we work through this process towards what we sincerely hope will be a long and successful future for the Oilers in Edmonton. We have no further comment on the status of our discussions with other markets at this time."

Seattle meanwhile is hot on the heels of a new agreement between investor Chris Hansen and the city council, to build a new arena to lure an NBA team back to Seattle. Hansen has often talked of the possibility of the arena housing an NHL team as well, but it isn't something the investor is interested in owning.

Katz, Patrick La Forge and Kevin Lowe were all seen taking a tour of Key Arena and are later attending Monday's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. Key Arena has been used to house minor league hockey seasons before, and also remains a possible final destination in the more immediate future.

Talk more about the Edmonton rumors with Oiler fans at The Copper & Blue.

Edmonton Oilers owner, president reportedly take tour of Seattle's Key Arena

Chris Hansen might have a potential suitor for NHL relocation in the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers appear to be dissatisfied with current management. Our Edmonton SB Nation site The Copper & Blue has more on the situation, which seems to be demanding that the city stand up for a new downtown arena or management will consider relocation once the current lease expires.

Coupled with the stories that are starting to trickle out of Seattle on Monday, naturally some rumors are popping up today about the Oilers potentially flirting with Seattle. According to Dave Mahler at KJR Radio, the team president and owner of the Oilers were in the city on Monday touring Key Arena. Additionally, former Oiler legend Wayne Gretzky is apparently in Seattle and will be visiting with Hansen sometime tonight.

An arena will probably take a few years to develop, but the Oilers are still a few years away from considering relocation. At the very least, it's looking like there is genuine interest in placing an NHL team in Seattle by at least one ownership group.

Talk more about the Edmonton rumors with Oiler fans at The Copper & Blue.

Seattle NBA, NHL Arena Approved By Council Vote

The Seattle City Council has approved legislation for Chris Hansen's arena plan. The plan will bring a new arena to the city, one that can hopefully bring new suitors for NBA and NHL teams. The final vote was 6-2, with six in favor of moving ahead on the proposal.

The vote will allow for the construction of a $490 million arena near the stadiums of the Seahawks and the Mariners, both of which are currently located in the SoDo district south of downtown. $200 million of public investment will be needed to get the project done.

The King County Council will still have to approve the plan and an environmental review is needed before the arena can move forward. But this thumbs up on the proposal will allow Hansen to proceed in finding either a potential NBA team that's willing to move and replace the Seattle Sonics after they left in the 2008 regular season, or possibly the first-ever NHL team in Seattle's history.

Kings Owners Refuse Comment On Seattle Arena Developments

With the city of Seattle now actively looking for an NBA team, the owners of the Sacramento Kings, Joe and Gavin Maloof, refuse to comment on the issue.

A spokesman for the Maloofs, who own the Kings, said the family wouldn't discuss the Seattle developments. "Their comment is the same as before – they're not going to weigh in on every rumor," said spokesman Eric Rose.

The Kings' future in Sacramento has been in question over the past couple years, especially since the Maloofs canceled plans to build a downtown arena this spring. The Maloofs were rumored to be in discussions with Virginia Beach this August, but refused to discuss the matter, which has since lost steam. The possibility of a move to Seattle seems much more legitimate.

On Tuesday, Seattle disclosed a tentative agreement with hedge fund manager Chris Hansen to build a $490 million basketball and hockey arena with the goal of luring a NBA or possibly NHL team to the city. He has already spent $51 million buying land for the arena and a basketball team is his primary goal, but the city has said he can't start construction until he has a team.

For more on the Sacramento Kings, check out Sactown Royalty. For more Seattle news, check out SB Nation Seattle.

Seattle City Council, Arena Developer Reportedly Reach Deal

The Seattle City Council has reached a deal with investor Chris Hansen on plans to build a new arena in the SoDo area of the city near Safeco Field, according to the Seattle Times.

Hansen originally put up $290 million toward building a new arena, with the intention of drawing in NBA and NHL franchises to the area. The plan involved the city covering the rest with $120 million in bonds, which Hansen assured would be paid back in full by the revenue generated from the arena alone.

One of the primary concerns from the city with the original plan was traffic and transportation infrastructure around the proposed new arena, which already houses two large stadiums in Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field. As part of the new plan, a cut of the tax revenue generated from the arena will be specifically used on infrastructure improvements to alleviate traffic concerns.

Some tax revenue will also be rerouted to make improvements to KeyArena, the former home of the Seattle Sonics, so that the facility could be used for NBA and NHL teams waiting to move into the new proposed arena.

For more Seattle news, check out SB Nation Seattle.

Seattle Arena Developer Now Has All Land Parcels Needed, Still No Team

Seattle investor Chris Hansen is taking steps to purchase the Showbox Sodo building in Seattle, south of Safeco field. This comes, according to Nick Eaton, with the hope of attracting an NBA and an NHL franchise to Seattle.

Hansen purchased the space for $8 million. Combined with other properties that Hansen owns in that vicinity, this newest purchase gives the hedge fund manager the necessary land to construct a new arena.

As reported by King 5 News, Hansen has now amassed almost $49 million in land. This is considered a somewhat risky investment, since the Seattle City Council has yet to approve plans for the new arena. The additional cost of building the arena has been estimated at roughly $490 million.

While former SuperSonics fans are likely to support the project, maritime labor unions have raised questions, as the new stadium would be very close to the Port of Seattle.

For more Seattle news, check out SB Nation Seattle.

Potential For Seattle NBA Team In Hands Of Seattle-Based Investor

Chris Hansen is an unfamiliar name in NBA circles — save for some holdover fans of To Catch A Predator (which is a different Chris Hansen) — but the investor has led a team of businessmen in the journey to bring an NBA team back to Seattle, as told in a terrific story in Saturday's New York Times. Hansen has already purchased a plot of land in Seattle's SoDo district and teamed up with the Nordstrom brothers (yes, that Nordstrom) in an investment plan that doesn't rely on public tax money, the inevitable back-breaker with the team's move to Oklahoma City. From the NYT:

He started from scratch and developed a proposal that will include nearly $300 million in private investment toward an arena, with the remaining $200 million bonded by the City of Seattle and King County and paid off over 30 years through rent and tax revenue that will not exist if the arena is not built.

Hansen's an interesting character — he's been a Sonics fan since the '70s, including during their lone NBA championship in 1979. Still, despite the glowing comments from those surrounding the efforts to bring a team back to Seattle, there is no plan in place for how to actually get said team to come. Stay optimistic, Seattle.

For more on Seattle's continued pursuit of an NBA return, check out SB Nation Seattle.

Seattle Arena: Agreement Reached Between City, Private Investors

The city of Seattle reached an agreement Wednesday with King County and investor Chris Hansen on a new arena that could bring an NBA team back to the city. The latest agreement does away with the provision that an NHL franchise is needed before construction can begin on the proposed 18,500-seat facility.

Fans in Seattle had been keeping a watchful eye on the NHL-owned Phoenix Coyotes. The team is considered a primed candidate for relocation, perhaps to Seattle, if new owners can't be found by the end of the season. Those hoping solely for a SuperSonics revival will breathe a sigh of relief at the new agreement, which takes down a significant barrier standing in the way of construction.

City Council and King County Council still have to approve the new agreement. Seattle would save up to $80 million in investment if allowed to break ground with just an NBA franchise in tow.

For more on the potential return of hockey to Seattle, check in with SB Nation Seattle. For more on hockey that's currently being played in Phoenix, check in with Coyotes blog Five For Howling.

NHL Denies Phoenix Coyotes Sale Report, Seattle Sports Fans Keeping Watchful Eye

The NHL has denied a report that the Phoenix Coyotes are ready to be sold to a group led by Greg Jamison, the former CEO of the San Jose Sharks who's been rumored to be in the ownership mix for the team since August.

Dave Zorn, a reporter for Metro Networks Arizona who's covered the Coyotes for years, shared the initial report Friday evening on Twitter.

Just to clarify..Jamison has been approved to by the NHL as an owner, and his money..still a little work to finish on it. #Coyotes

— Dave Zorn (@dave_zorn) February 18, 2012

Via KING5 in Seattle, where fans are suddenly watching the Coyotes' ownership saga with an interested eye following a new arena proposal there that's contingent on relocation of an NHL and NBA teams, the NHL says that report is false. Zorn expected as much, however, and you'll recall that the league also denied first reports that True North Sports had purchased the Atlanta Thrashers. It's safe to say they shouldn't necessarily be trusted when it comes to this stuff.

A sale of the Coyotes to Jamison would be fantastic news for Coyotes fans, who could realistically lose their team at the end of this NHL season if a new ownership situation isn't figured out. The NHL still operates the club, and that's a situation that's expected to come to a head before next season.

Jamison's group reportedly includes former Coyotes star Jeremy Roenick, who said in his Coyotes' Ring of Honor induction speech last weekend that he'd do his part to keep the hockey team in Arizona.

For Seattle fans, it's not the best news. The new arena proposal requires both an NHL team and an NBA team to be on board -- whether through relocation or expansion -- and the Coyotes certainly seem like the most likely option. If they're sold, Seattle fans will have to look elsewhere, or hope Gary Bettman's interest in the city is real and that expansion is a possibility.

For more on the potential return of hockey to Seattle, check in with SB Nation Seattle. For more on hockey that's currently being played in Phoenix, check in with Coyotes blog Five For Howling.

Seattle Arena Proposal: Deal Contingent On NBA, NHL Franchises First

On Thursday, the City of Seattle officially introduced the proposal it received for a new arena that would house both an NBA and NHL franchise. Here are the highlights:

• To confirm what was commonly known, the new arena would be located in the SoDo district near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and would be suitable for NBA, NHL and concert events.
• The proposal is contingent on an NBA franchise and an NHL franchise committing to move to Seattle or be created in Seattle in order for construction of the proposed arena to begin. Both franchises must also agree to 30-year, long-term deals to prevent one leaving in the same manner as the Sonics.
  
• KeyArena would host both franchises while the new arena is being constructed, which is expected to take roughly two years.
  
• The project would be funded by private investors and the public contribution (no more than $200 million) would be paid back in full by arena revenue. In other words, no new taxes!
• Private investors, who will be investing roughly $300 million, bear project risk and responsibility for cost overruns. Even then, the city and county would own the arena.
  
• A committee has been appointed to approve the legitimacy of the proposal. The committee includes former Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens.
• Lead investor Chris Hansen is responsible for negotiating with the NBA and NHL over new franchises. The city will have no part in those talks.
• No one was willing to speculate on any current franchises that could move to Seattle.

We'll have more on this story as it develops. For all your Seattle sports news, visit SB Nation Seattle.

Seatle Arena Update: City Has Received Proposal For NBA, NHL Arena

Various people involved with the City of Seattle and the proposed new NBA and NHL arena in the city spoke at a press conference today to announce officially that the proposal has been received by the city.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn spoke first, kicking things off with the all-important Sonics reference:

Nice to see some Sonics green in the room.

McGinn then confirmed what everyone in the room and in the city of Seattle wanted to hear:

We are pleased today to announce that was have announced a proposal ... that could result in the creation of an NBA and NHL facility in our existing stadium district.

The arena will designed to incorporate the needs of the NHL ... It could mean that the Seattle Supersonics will play in our city once again.

McGinn spoke of hedge fund investor Chris Hansen, who is behind the proposal:

Today we have received a proposal that reflects the work set forward by the city, the county and Chris Hansen.

He has presented us a promising path to bring the NBA back to Seattle, as well as the NHL.

He can tell you the starting lineup of the 1979 championship team without any prompting.

McGinn confirmed the extremely important news about how the arena will be funded. The bulk of the money will come from a $800 million private investment from Hansen and his partners. Other costs up to $200 million will be paid by tax revenue and rent generated by the arena. It does not include any other tax funds from the city of Seattle.

He also noted that the city and county will own the land and the facility. The new teams would play temporarily at KeyArena. A rough timetable for construction of the new building is two years.

It was noted that the proposal requires the securing of both an NBA and NHL team before anything can happen, meaning that all eyes turn back to the Sacramento Kings to see what happens next there.

We'll have more on this story as it develops. For all your Seattle sports news, visit SB Nation Seattle.

Seattle To Hold Press Conference To Announce Arena Deal Thursday, According To Report

Plans are quickly falling into place for the city of Seattle as hedge fund investor Chris Hansen works to secure financing for a new arena. The accelerated talks between Hansen and high-ranking city officials are part of a renewed effort to lure the NBA and NHL to Seattle by building a privately invested arena just south of Safeco Field. According to a report on Wednesday evening, Hansen and the city have finalized the arena plans and will announce them on Thursday.

Chris Egan and Chris Daniels of King 5 TV in Seattle fill in the details.

From @ChrisDaniels5 A Source tells me press conference scheduled at #Seattle City Hall to announce deal on new sports arena complex.

— Chris Egan King-5 TV (@ChrisEgan5) February 16, 2012

Arena News Conference scheduled for tomorrow. I'm told Hedge Fund/Land Owner Chris Hansen is in town. He met with council members. #NBA #NHL

— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) February 16, 2012

An arena does not guarantee the NBA's quick return to Seattle, however. For the rest of the pieces to fall into place, Hansen and his investment group would need to purchase an existing team, then get the ball rolling on relocation. Seattle is reportedly eyeing the Sacramento Kings, though the team is in the home stretch of a plan to secure financing and build a new arena of its own.

We'll have more on this story as it develops. For all your Seattle sports news, visit SB Nation Seattle.

NHL Relocation: Why The Phoenix Coyotes Won't Move To Seattle This Summer

An NHL team in Seattle makes too much sense, but Key Arena is so poorly designed for hockey that even a single season there would be unacceptable. It makes the potential relocation of the Phoenix Coyotes to the Emerald City unlikely.

Seattle Eyeing Sports Arena Deal, Hoping To Lure NBA, NHL Teams

A Seattle Times report has revealed that city officials may be planning to bring an NBA team back to Seattle by next fall.

Seattle NHL, NBA Arena Moves Closer To Reality With Land Purchase

Christopher Hansen, a former Seattle resident and head of San Francisco-based Valiant Capital Management LLC, is said to be the leader in a push to build a sports arena just south of Safeco Field that would be the home to a possible NHL and NBA team.

Via the Seattle Times, WSA LLC, an entity affiliated with Hansen and Valiant, paid $21.6 million for a warehouse on the proposed spot of the new arena. The sale occurred in early December.

The Times notes that, for an arena to be built there, Seattle would have to vacate a sizable stretch of land that bisects the needed land.

Among those reportedly involved in the Sodo plan is Wally Walker, a former Seattle Sonics player and executive.

While Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn is said to be mostly interested in bringing the NBA back to Seattle, this new arena would also include the opportunity for the city's first NHL team. Seattle last had a professional hockey team in 1924, when the Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association folded.

Seattle Group Interested In Bringing NHL To Town, But Plenty Of Obstacles To Hurdle

Seattle has been rumored as a potential candidate city for an NHL team for quite some time, but we've never really had much evidence that the league would be interested or that there'd be an ownership group interested in bringing a team there.

That is, until now. Via KING5 in Seattle, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says that discussions have taken place with a Seattle group interested in bringing a team there.

We've had discussions with a group in Seattle," said Daly, "Certainly people who are interested in having NHL hockey in Seattle. I would rather not get into specifics to be fair to that group, or the process."

These sorts of discussions seem to happen all the time -- groups in Quebec, Winnipeg, Kansas City and a million other places all want a team too and have talked to the NHL about it, and only one of them could be called successful after decades of trying -- so we don't know how seriously to take this whole thing. 

We simply don't know how far along those discussions are. To say a team could play in Seattle this coming season or even in two seasons would be premature, however. For such a thing to come fully to fruition, a new arena would almost certainly have to be built -- and that could take years. And that's before a team could even be purchased. 

Key Arena seats only 11,000 for hockey thanks to a horrible configuration in which the center-hung scoreboard dangles over the blueline. The ice sits drastically off-center in the building, renovated with basketball, not hockey, in mind back in 1996 and thousands of seats have poor sightlines.

The situation in Key Arena is so bad that the Western Hockey League's Thunderbirds moved out of the building and into their own gorgeous, 6,500-seat arena 30 minutes south of Seattle proper. The building was home to the Seattle Sonics of the NBA before they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. 

Part of the reason the Sonics left town had to do with the taxpayers lack of desire to build a new arena, among a whole bunch of other sleazy things. The takeaway, though, is that any new owner wishing to move an NHL franchise to Seattle would have to shell out the money for a new building on their own, and considering that private financing for sports arenas isn't exactly how things are done these days, it seems like a long shot. 

Daly does indicate that the NHL has interest in the city, though, so there could definitely be some will to get something done here if a group has the necessary money.

All in all, Seattle would likely be a fantastic market for NHL hockey if they can get their ducks in a row, and when Daly says things like "all leagues want stability in ownership and location, and we're no different," it seems like the interest is definitely there. Especially over places like Phoenix, perhaps. 

Seattle does have a history of major league hockey. The Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Canadiens, in 1917. They folded in 1924, and Seattle hasn't seen major pro hockey since.