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Breaking News: Press Conference Scheduled in Seattle to Announce Arena Deal


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http://www.king5.com/news/New-Seattle-arena-press-conference-set-for-Thursday-139407008.html

Source: New Seattle arena news conference set for Thursday

sodo-nba-nhl-arena.jpg

by CHRIS DANIELS / KING 5 NewsBio | Email | Follow: @ChrisDaniels5

Posted on February 15, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Updated today at 8:13 AM

Gallery

SEATTLE - A news conference is scheduled on Thursday to announce the framework of a new sports entertainment complex in Seattle SoDo neighborhood.

KING 5 has learned Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and hedge fund manager Chris Hansen are still working to finalize a term sheet. A high ranking county leader says right now, the deal includes substantial private financing, with some debt backed in some way by the City and County, repaid through admission fees and “arena generating revenue.”

The final terms are expected to be hammered out Thursday morning, and some council members were expecting a briefing prior to the announcement, scheduled for 2 p.m. at City Hall.

[Watch the news conference live on KING5.com.]

As KING5 first reported back in December, Hansen’s Valiant Partners of San Francisco purchased a three acre piece of property south of Safeco Field, for $21 Million. A city hall source with knowledge of the negotiations said late Wednesday that the city would not have to claim eminent domain and Hansen likely secured more property.

It’s unclear who will appear at the press conference. Late Wednesday, sources were conflicted about whether Hansen would show. Constantine, and McGinn are both expected to be in attendance.

The term sheet would still need council approval. Hansen met with three council members on Wednesday: Tim Burgess, Bruce Harrell and Council President Sally Clark.

Burgess told KING 5 there was no discussion about terms and conditions, but Hansen, a Seattle native, talked fondly about the 1979 Sonics championship and how he loved the game. Burgess described the chat as “general, friendly and warm.”

Clark told KING 5 Hansen said he figured it was time to show his face and did not mention a specific franchise for the proposal.

Councilmember Mike O’Brien said Wednesday, “I'd love to see it if it makes sense.” O'Brien added that it was his understanding there would be little to no public involvement in the financing, and “the only way a deal will be successful is if it doesn't include additional taxes on city, or leave the city holding the bag.”

The speculation will naturally turn to potential franchises to fill the building. The NBA has given Sacramento until the end of the month to come up with a financing plan or face potential relocation of the Kings. The NBA also owns the New Orleans Hornets, and is looking for a buyer.

The NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes are also owned by the NHL, which rescued the team from bankruptcy court. The league says it needs a new local buyer by the end of this season or the Coyotes could relocate.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who told KING 5 last year about a group interested bringing a team to the city, declined comment via e-mail Wednesday night. NBA spokesperson Tim Frank did the same.

If Seattle gets a new sports arena, what do you think it should be called? Comment on our Facebook page.

KING 5's Linda Brill contributed to this report.

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I just discovered the official 1966-67 Seattle Totems championship documentary online, produced by King Screen Productions, via this Seattle Totems online museum webpage. It looks like the Totems and Canucks have some unfinished playoff business to take care of.

5:14 of the video:

It won't embed because its uploader set it to unlisted status. You can see it from the museum site, which has some other neat tidbits as well.

http://www.seattleto...pions_1967.html

And the 1970-71 team photo:

7071team.jpg

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I just discovered the official 1966-67 Seattle Totems championship documentary online, produced by King Screen Productions, via this Seattle Totems online museum webpage. It looks like the Totems and Canucks have some unfinished playoff business to take care of.

5:14 of the video:

It won't embed because its uploader set it to unlisted status. You can see it from the museum site, which has some other neat tidbits as well.

http://www.seattleto...pions_1967.html

And the 1970-71 team photo:

7071team.jpg

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