Flanked by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and fellow OVG Executive Irving Azoff, OVG CEO Tim Leiweke very definitively stated: “We’re going to get you teams.”
The tone at the press conference today, one that was called by Mayor Murray to discuss the future of Key Arena, was one of hope, ambition, and some certainty.
Let’s give you some key bullet points from the press conference today:
- OVG is not building just a sports arena, it is building a revitalization area within Seattle Center, that will house an entertainment and sports arena used to bring 1962 World's Fair level-excitement and appreciation to the greater Seattle Center area (and surrounding neighborhoods).
- OVG (Leiweke, specifically) is confident that his partnerships (Populous, Boston Celtics Minority Owner David Bonderman, director Jerry Bruckheimer, LiveNation, Vancouver Canucks Chairman Francesco Aquilini, Florida Panthers Chairman Peter Luukko, and the Madison Square Garden Company) will give it the edge in many areas: Stakeholders that are on the boards of the NBA and NHL, experience in handling a multi-tiered schedule within an entertainment and sports venue, and an architecture firm that can fulfill the design asks of the city.
- NHL-first will be the goal when it comes to OVG’s strategy with the city. Leiweke promised as such. In his own words, Leiweke stated that Key Arena will have “world class attendance” and that OVG is going to “get at least one sports team.”
- Leiweke was less bullish about the NBA, as he definitely hesitated and chose his words regarding NBA expansion, carefully. As he stated, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said to him that the “current financial model for the NBA works for current NBA ownership (alluding to the new TV deal).” Leiweke mentioned that if that deal changes, then opportunities will arise for expansion. The goal is to show success with the NHL team, and using that as a way to show the NBA that a team will work in Seattle.
- About the OVG Groups proposal winning out (over AEG and Hansen’s current deal): OVG was the best choice based on design, the ability to build an entirely new arena under the iconic roof, being able to keep the roof-line intact, and maintaining flexibility regarding future modifications.
- Financial and transportation implications still can derail the deal. Negotiation is still needed regarding both. “No public funding” was a stance mentioned from both OVG and Murray. Given negotiations are needed in that area, Murray mentioned that there would be no bonds, but OVG and the city will discuss financial ideas similar to other sports teams in the area.
- The ask from the city is that financially the deal makes sense, that the final design is well integrated in Seattle Center, that parking and transit plans are in place, and that OVG works with existing tenants.
- Regarding Chris Hansen: Leiweke went out of his way to invite Hansen to join the OVG-led group, become part-owner of the eventual returning NBA team, and even vowed to support Hansen’s SoDo venture, if this current deal falls through.
There was a definitiveness to Murray and Leiweke’s speeches. They seem to be dead set on pushing this deal through and assuring that, though nothing is far from certain, and as Sonics great Lenny Wilkins put it, "If ever there was a chance for the Sonics to come back, this is it."
The group was certainly confident of the deal that had been struck and even more confident that this is a deal that, as Leiweke said, is “For Seattle, By Seattle, With Seattle." There is much work to be done, but nonetheless a positive day for Seattle hockey and basketball fans.
You can view the live tweets covering the press conference on the Sonics Rising Twitter page and follow the official announcement of OVG’s NHL owenership partners: here.
Comments
Torn
Doesn’t begin to describe how I feel after digesting today. I keep getting waves of "this is bullshit, sodo is so superior in every regard and Hansen is getting screwed" followed by waves of "thank god. We are almost definitely getting hockey in the next few years and more than hopefully the supes back soon afterwards. I’ll deal with traffic as I always have, it is what it is." Honestly it’s probably gonna take until the super tip off for me to feel "complete" with this whole situation.
By hughc5 on 06.07.17 5:39pm
Congratulations to the hockey fans, and everyone who feels like this is a win
I’m not there yet, but I’ve got many years to mellow out before any teams are playing, especially an NBA team.
Aside from a new arena there, I hope they don’t ruin the Seattle Center, because I really do love that place, and have 4 decades of memories. I’d like to add more.
By cortone on 06.07.17 5:43pm
The Silver stuff is depressing.
But if you take it at face value, then it’s hard to look at this as anything other than a win since Sodo probably would never have happened anyway, even if the vacation was approved.
By wetzelcoal on 06.07.17 5:52pm
Is there a link to the press conference? I would like to hear Leiweke's remarks in full for myself.
By Bizzquik on 06.07.17 6:29pm
Seattle channel youtube page
I don’t have a link handy at the moment
By gstommylee on 06.07.17 6:34pm
Thanks. I saw the link in the prior thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_QXBZ_Lhoc
By Bizzquik on 06.07.17 7:33pm
Great stuff today, Dontae!
Thanks for taking the challenge on and killing it.
By Speedcat on 06.07.17 6:46pm
It's been a while, so much appreciated!
By Dontae Delgado on 06.07.17 9:39pm
Hansen, Walker, & DangeRuss
Spoke at CityClub’s "civic cocktail" event just now. Hansen emphasized his goal is simply to bring the Sonics back ("if it happens at key arena, that’s a win for seattle"). Made clear the transportation issues strongly favored Sodo. Russ Wilson lent some mojo to his remarks with mostly heartfelt remarks about growing up in Virginia rooting for GP & wanting to share the passion & power of sports with future generations. Walker made a good point that the economics of revenue sharing make any potential NBA ownership wary of the key cuz they’d be sharing $ (suites, sponsorships, etc) three ways with Live Nation & the NHL…
By MC Nuggit on 06.07.17 6:47pm
If the NHL and NBA are going be basically the same group
I don’t see the suites sponsorship etc be that big of a problem.
By gstommylee on 06.07.17 6:50pm
Damnit gstommylee
Ya beat me by like 1 minute
By Malve on 06.07.17 7:03pm
And I don't either....
Look at it this way. If Bruckheimer and Bonderman go after both, and get both, the structure would probably end up working similar to how Kroenke operates the Nuggets/Avalanche/Pepsi Center in Denver or how MLSE operates in Toronto with the Raptors/Leafs/ACC. So those ownerships might be good guides to research as to how a Seattle scenario with these two might work. And here’s something else – Kroenke as many of you probably know owns its own regional sports TV network in Denver that covers the Avalanche and Nuggets. Considering Bruckheimer’s association with the entertainment industry, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities that he might attempt to launch a regional sports TV channel for the teams here in Seattle that would compete with ROOT and Comcast. That might piss off the Mariners and Paul Allen a bit, but oh well…..
By snovalleyhockeyfan on 06.07.17 7:03pm
Eh
It’ll be either Root or comcast sports network. I don’t think there is enough content for a 3rd one.
By gstommylee on 06.07.17 7:05pm
No, there isn't.....you're right about that, but there's a caveat.....
Frankly, there isn’t enough for the two of them to co-exist as it is now. But, as we all know, one of the primary reasons why the M’s are able to dole out big money to players like they did today with Segura are the revenue streams associated with controlling their own regional sports network. And the NHL business model being what it is will probably require the B/B to have such a revenue stream if they want to be competitive out of the gate, which they frankly are going to need to be if the NHL is going to get a foothold here.
By snovalleyhockeyfan on 06.07.17 7:10pm
Who set that up as the president of the Nuggets and Avalanche?
Tim Leiweke
By Brian Robinson on 06.07.17 7:43pm
People may not like Leiweke especially in this arena situation
but he does know what he is doing in terms business organization.
By gstommylee on 06.07.17 7:46pm
Good nugget of information
Certainly would suggest that an RSN then might be a real possibility for them if they get both NHL/NBA. Any thoughts on Hansen’s appearance at CityClub last night, Brian, as I did not have a chance to see it?
By snovalleyhockeyfan on 06.08.17 6:53am
Im not counting on Bonderman long term till I hear from his benefactors and their willingness to not only take on one franchise but two.
Dude is a lot older that I would have liked.
By Trolltossin on 06.07.17 8:11pm
This would be the case if it is a 3rd party
But if Bruckheimer and Bonderman go after the NBA as well as the NHL then it is a moot point
By Malve on 06.07.17 6:52pm
Sup Nuggs!
Long time no hear.
By Speedcat on 06.07.17 7:11pm
Link to a video of that
https://www.facebook.com/KING5News/videos/vb.6276351475/10154739241736476/?type=2&theater¬if_t=live_video_share¬if_id=1496884454883288
By Mark.S40 on 06.07.17 7:34pm
After watching this
It seems to me like Hansen thinks he’s ok. He was almost smug about it and in a sense kind of said "we are happy to sit back and watch this key arena plan fall over because it will fall over and when it does we will be waiting" he’s is a very confident guy. He seems super confident that his plan and location and funding is superior and he is just waiting for the decision makers to confirm that.
That’s a positive as far as I’m concerned if you’re a sodo fan
By Jaxsyn on 06.07.17 8:07pm
He knows the economics and at this point he will profit either way.
By Trolltossin on 06.07.17 8:12pm
Eh
So he’s going to sit there and do nothing? That’s not going to help him get the street vacation though.
By gstommylee on 06.07.17 8:27pm
Did you watch the video?
By Mark.S40 on 06.07.17 8:40pm