Expansion team in Seattle?

[Yzerfan]

I don't know if this is old news or not, but what do you think?

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2...a-hockey-team/

[centrehice]

I think that Seattle residents voted no on a new building in the last Seattle plebiscite, hence the demise of the Sonics.

They still have a massive Tax Bond out on the relatively new Baseball and Football stadiums and residents cannot handle another bond based on the property tax burden.

Unless somebody local with Deep Pockets steps forward, and builds a new Multi-Pupose Arena with private funding, then a Seattle team will be just something on paper, and the last time I checked Paul Allen and Bill Gates don't watch Hockey.

The city does need an NHL team as it's exponential growth looking forward is staggering. The lack of a decent building as it is in many communities is spanner in the works.

[Wickabee]

I think that Seattle residents voted no on a new building in the last Seattle plebiscite, hence the demise of the Sonics.

They still have a massive Tax Bond out on the relatively new Baseball and Football stadiums and residents cannot handle another bond based on the property tax burden.

Unless somebody local with Deep Pockets steps forward, and builds a new Multi-Pupose Arena with private funding, then a Seattle team will be just something on paper, and the last time I checked Paul Allen and Bill Gates don't watch Hockey.

The city does need an NHL team as it's exponential growth looking forward is staggering. The lack of a decent building as it is in many communities is spanner in the works.

Wasn't that in the works a couple of months ago? A guy, forget who, said he'd put up land and build it if they could bring back the NBA and maybe an NHL team.

Anyone else remember this?

[Tivo32]

Seattle is a great city full of great sports fans. It was a shame for them to lose the NBA franchise. I would love to see an NHL franchise in Seattle, but it seems like there is a lot still for it to happen.

[30ranfordfan]

My memory is hazy on this one..... but specifically with the new area (and the public purse being used to build it) but wasn't this a similar situation to Charlotte? The city was sick of the current owner, and let him move the team out of town.... but were more than willing to help pay for a new building after he was gone, to attrack a new team (which they did).

I can't imagine that Seattle will be without a 'modern' area for too much longer. Simply too many people and too much money in town town not to have one. An NHL team going there? I could see it. Maybe someone else moves into town, as opposed to expansion (though I ge thte feeling that the league would like to move to 32 teams - it would make schedules, divisions, and playoffs much easier).

[scottkoz20]

some perspective from a Sabre fan on this.

the article states that with the Canucks sellout streak over 400 games in 2002, it is virtually impossible to land tickets there. This is the same situation that Leaf fans have to endure (no cheapshot). There are a fair number of fans from Southern Ontario (including in the GTA and points north) that are Sabre season ticket holders.

The Sabres have had a waiting list for season tickets since 2006-07 and a team in Seattle I think would get the same/similar type of support.

Of the US markets, Seattle (if they can get a building) would become #1 IMO, ahead of Kansas City (which has a building ready to go in the Sprint Center). Quebec City is still in the catbird seat to get the next relocation as their building is in the works, plus Le Colisee can still house a team

[flopfish]

I don't know if Seattle would be able to support an NHL team. It's still about a 3 hour drive from the border area (not including border wait times and traffic) for Canadians, which is a ways away from Vancouver (about an hour.) To say Canadian residents will buy season tickets is a big stretch, especially since it is 3 hours minimum there and back, so if the game starts at 7, you'd have to leave at around 3 to 3:30 to be safe, not to mention getting back at around 1 in the morning at the earliest. Also, the Seattle Thunderbirds, their WHL team, has averaged around 4,000 for the past few years. Will it draw some Canadians to games? Yes, but not a ton, as it is a long drive to and from. I really don't think the team would draw more than the New York Islanders or Columbus.

If you put the Coyotes in Downtown Phoenix rather than an hour's drive away from Phoenix, then they'll actually have a larger attendance. Being someone who visits Phoenix a couple times a year, the fans there are incredible, and a lot of them just don't want to drive that far to watch a hockey game, but if it were closer they would. Ideally, if you put in a multi-sport venue in downtown Phoenix, they'll sell well. People will see more of the buzz around the team and be intrigued. The arena they have right now, and the venues surrounding it, is the BEST in the NHL. Hands down, no questions asked, I want to watch a game there because there isn't a bad seat, and the whole facility is top-notch for sports. It's just too dang far away for most people. Just my 2 cents.

As far as cities for relocation goes, Quebec is by far the most deserving and the best place for revenue and fans.

[Devlin]

Expansion No, relocating a franchise there yes. Not sure of the stadium issues.
Get out of AZ, OH,FL,
yes to Quebec, hamilton, hartford.
Halifax??? too small???

[Wickabee]

Here's an article bringing the discussion up-to-date here http://www.sportsnet.ca/more/2012/07...roposed_arena/

Basically the deal on the table is between King County (which Seattle is in) and a group of investors including hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen, Steve Ballmer and Peter and Erik Nordstrom would each fund a portion of a $490million arena. King County would putting up $200million with the group putting up the remaining $290million. The city of Seattle has their say as well and the biggest (potential) stumbling blocks are parking/traffic concerns and the city's deal with the WNBA Seattle Storm. Looks like everyone wants this to go through, though.

[TOMPKINSmma]

Halifax is most likely too small but it's more than time to bring a team back to Quebec!