:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53148247/NBAPlayerCollage.0.png)
Need to learn more about the various issues surrounding the efforts to build a new arena and return the SuperSonics franchise to Seattle and the NBA? A great new resource has you covered.
Jeff Shulman, associate professor in marketing at UW’s Foster School of Business, hosts a critically-acclaimed podcast exploring and discussing the economic and population growth of the city of Seattle. In its second season, the Seattle Growth Podcast will tackle the impact of a potential return of the Sonics on the city.
Shulman hopes to offer perspective on the team’s and arena’s effects on real estate, traffic, taxes, employment, and the overall community. He’ll be speaking in-depth with residents, business owners, academic experts, city leaders & officials, as well as former Sonics players and owners to help inform the discussion.
We’re happy to present each episode as they become available.
Episode 1: Learning from the Sonics Departure
In this opening episode, Shulman looks back on how the Sonics left Seattle for Oklahoma City and lessons to be learned.
Featured guests include:
- Hall of Fame Sonics player and coach Lenny Wilkens
- former Sonics minority owner Craig Kinzler
- Paul Lawrence, the lead attorney for the city in the lawsuit against Clay Bennett’s Professional Basketball Club to hold the team to its KeyArena lease with the city
Explore more from Episode 1: Learning from the Sonics Departure here
Update: Bonus Episode
"I hope city government does what we can do to make sure the league knows that they would be welcome here."
Professor Shulman reached out to share with us a bonus episode of the Seattle Growth Podcast featuring his conversation with Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess. Note that the conversation took place prior to the Hansen group’s submission of their new street vacation petition.
A couple of choice comments:
"I was always very skeptical of the claims made by the Port of Seattle that an arena at that location would damage the port. I just don't believe that's the case."
"I know that since we did the first memorandum of agreement with Mr. Hansen a lot has changed. And I'm not sure that that would pass the city council today based on what we know today."
It’s a good insight into the council’s process and their potential views on both the SoDo arena project and the KeyArena remodel/renovation RFP process.