Chris Hansen

Longshoremen to appeal judge's ruling tossing out their arena lawsuit

Ashley Gross — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:23:42 +0000

Longshoremen in Seattle plan to appeal a recent judge’s ruling that threw out their challenge to a new Sonics basketball arena.

The longshoremen’s union argued that the city of Seattle, King County and investor Chris Hansen violated state environmental laws when they signed an agreement for the arena. They said that memorandum of understanding focuses too much on the site Hansen prefers – in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood. And that’s before an environmental review is finished.

AP reports that the Maloof family has agreed to sell Kings

The Associated Press — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 06:00:36 +0000

Two people familiar with the decision says the Maloof family has agreed to sell the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Sunday night because the deal is still pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors.

One person said the Maloofs are selling all 65 percent of their share for $525 million to Hansen, who will move the team to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name.

The Maloofs will still be allowed to look at other bids until the league approves the sale.

Will the Seattle Storm stay at KeyArena if a new facility is built?

Kirsten Kendrick and Art Thiel — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:00:00 +0000

A revised agreement for a new Seattle sports arena that was unveiled this week got people talking again about the future of KeyArena. As part of the amended deal with lead investor Chris Hansen, the city negotiated $7 million for upgrades to KeyArena and a study about its future.

That future may not include the Seattle Storm, according to KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel.

Can Seattle's population support six major sports teams?

Ashley Gross — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:29:51 +0000

Battle lines are being drawn between people who want a new basketball and hockey arena in Seattle and people who don’t. A town hall meeting at North Seattle Community College at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 10th, will give people a chance to speak out on the proposal.

One issue likely to come up is whether the city is even big enough to support six professional sports teams. The plan would add an NBA team and possibly an NHL team to the city's pro sports landscape of Seahawks, Mariners, Storm and Sounders.

Seattle arena PR campaign, opposition intensifying

Kirsten Kendrick and Art Thiel — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The revelation of big local backers. A huge fan rally. A high-profile meeting with the commissioner of the NBA. It all happened this week as supporters of the Seattle arena proposal get ready for key city and county committee hearings next week.

The opposition is heating up as well.

Preview: A hit with fans, Seattle arena deal goes under council scrutiny next week

Kirsten Kendrick and Art Thiel — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:00:00 +0000

A planned rally for Sonics fans at 4 p.m. today in Occidental Park is perhaps taking on even more significance, with word this week that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and two members of the Nordstrom family are among the investors behind the plan to bring the Sonics back to Seattle with a proposed new arena.

Arena investors revealed: Ballmer and Nordstroms back the project

Gabriel Spitzer — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:59:02 +0000

The team backing a new sports arena in Seattle began coming into focus today, with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and two members of the Nordstrom family putting their money behind the proposed venue. They’re the first to go public as part of hedge fund manager Chris Hansen’s team of private investors.

Why Seattle arena deal should be given the green (and gold) light

Kirsten Kendrick and Art Thiel — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The proposal to build a new sports arena in Seattle is now open to public scrutiny now that the City of Seattle and King County have formalized their agreement with lead investor Chris Hansen. The next step is to gain approval from the city and county councils.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel explains why he thinks the plan should move forward.

Proposed arena deal good news for city, Sonics fans

Kirsten Kendrick and Art Thiel — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel likes what he's hearing about a proposed arena deal in Seattle.

The goal is to return the NBA to Seattle and bring the city a professional hockey team with a new arena to be built in the city's SoDo district. The project would be self-funded and not rely on new taxes.