Sonics Rising: All Posts by Otto Rogers

Ackerleys confirm Seattle NBA effort to Sonics Rising

2016-07-15T07:00:06-07:00

The Ackerley brothers have confirmed to Sonics Rising that they are involved in an effort to bring the NBA back to Seattle.

We recently asked the Ackerley brothers for comment on our July 2 report that they are involved in an effort to bring the NBA back to Seattle. They responded with the following statement, which we present without commentary.

Seattle is a world class city with a rich basketball history and we believe it deserves an NBA team, alongside its other thriving professional sports franchises. Seattle is also our home, and we are committed to helping in any way we can to bring the NBA back to the city.

We have a long-term approach in all our civic, philanthropic, and business engagements. Securing a franchise is a complicated, long-term process. Along the way, it will require support and collaboration from the Seattle community and it won't happen overnight. We will continue to do what we can to help achieve this goal and we look forward to the day when Seattle can celebrate the return of an important civic institution like the Seattle Supersonics.

Christopher Ackerley and Ted Ackerley

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Exclusive: Are the Ackerleys quietly exploring a Seattle NBA solution?

2016-07-02T11:05:29-07:00

According to emails obtained as part of a public disclosure request to the City of Seattle, brothers Ted and Chris Ackerley have been quietly exploring the possibility of bringing the NBA to Seattle.

They are the sons of the late Barry Ackerley, who bought the Sonics in 1983 and held onto them until 2001 when he sold the franchise to an investment group headed by Howard Schultz. He was the driving force behind getting KeyArena built.

The emails were exchanged on May 3, the day after the city council rejected Chris Hansen’s petition to vacate a portion of Occidental Avenue for his Sodo arena proposal, between the brothers and Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess. Burgess began the exchange by referring to an NBA-related meeting the week before and offering to bring Mayor Ed Murray into the conversation. Chris Ackerley replied that they weren’t quite ready to do that.

When asked about the possibility of the Ackerleys being involved in the quest to bring the NBA back to Seattle, Sonics Rising’s Brian Robinson had this to say:

Chris and Ted Ackerley are well respected members of Seattle's corporate and philanthropic communities, with deep ties to the region’s basketball and Sonics legacy. Councilmember Tim Burgess has shown exceptional integrity and commitment to finding a regional arena solution in all of my dealings with him. I trust both parties judgement regarding the timing of public release of additional plans or information.

Any time a community leader cares enough to take leadership and be involved in this long and difficult process they deserve the appreciation and support of Sonics fans throughout the region. I look forward to hearing more about their potential plans to return the NBA to the nation’s 12th largest media market when such public discussions become more appropriate.

The emails do not mention the arena location being discussed, nor do they specify whether or not the NHL would factor into the Ackerleys’ plans.

Seattle hockey culture: Help save the Angry Beaver

2015-09-15T09:37:47-07:00

The popular local hockey bar, The Angry Beaver is in some serious financial trouble. Now there is a GoFundMe account set up to try and raise $20,000 to save it.

Early Saturday morning, the owner of The Angry Beaver, Tim Pipes, posted this message to his facebook:

If something magical doesn't happen, and I don't believe in magic, or ghosts, or UFO's (I kinda believe in UFO's), my sweet beaver is sunk. What a ride though! I did my best for the hockey community here.

At that point in time, it felt like I had just lost a great place to watch hockey with the hockey community in Seattle. Where else could you get a large plate of poutine, Kokanee on draft, and be able to watch all of your favorite games with other great NHL fans? It was also the site of two Hockey Hangout events, where local journalists/media members answered questions about the state of the NHL and Seattle.

Hockey Hangout panel members at The Angry Beaver

Tim then kept some hope alive with a follow up post on his facebook:

Regarding last nights post, I appreciate all your warm and kind thoughts and after a solid night's sleep, let me tell you, I am NOT going down without a fight!! Gofundme campaign coming and I may have found an investor today! Hockey players don't go down easy, why should I?

Which leads us to where we are today, A GoFundMe account has been established to try and help The Angry Beaver dig out of its hole to make it to the Hockey Season.

From the GoFundMe page: What was a profitable success this hockey season quickly eroded with unexpected maintenance that seemed to happen simultaneously, including new grease trap, serious plumbing issues and kitchen equipment failures that had to be dealt with. The Angry Beaver could use a little financial help to keep the doors open until hockey season, as the property management is not being lenient, to say the least. If you can help out a bit, The Angry Beaver could really use it!

The fund has a little over $2,000 in just 24 hours! Several members of the media/hockey community, such as NHLtoSeattle.com's John Barr, have already stepped up.

I'll send a @NHLtoSeattle shirt to the first 10 people to give $50 or more. Must email me receipt. https://t.co/4oWjiFyk5T
— NHLtoSeattle (@NHLtoSeattle) September 14, 2015

Seattle's @angrybeaverbar, maker of Poutine, media panel host, and city's only "hockey bar" is having difficulty: http://t.co/hQGUXkpczo
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) September 14, 2015

The very first Hockey Hangout at the Angry Beaver Bar

The Angry Beaver is a great bar, but it's much more than that. This bar is an important part of the hockey community's local grass roots. In a town looking to lure the NHL, we need all of that we can get.