By Marcus Pearl
Oceanside, NY (MPN) - Seattle’s hopes of receiving another Professional Sports Franchise were dashed this week, after three groups attempting to bring an NHL Team to Seattle were unable to meet a league-mandated deadline to apply for an expansion team. Prospective Owners had until 5:00 PM ET on July 20, 2015, to apply. Only Las Vegas, and Quebec City, managed to Followed Through.
Seattle has been without a winter sports team Since the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. At least, three groups were believed to be bidding for an expansion team for Seattle.
One Group, was unable to secure financing from the nearby City of Bellevue. According to the Seattle Times, the Bellevue Investors, whose names were not Identified, had planned to build an entertainment complex around the new arena, mirroring the LA-Live complex in Los Angeles. The Investors, were reported to have been by Jac Sperling, a power broker in the NBA and NHL. Boston-Planner, Jeff Speck, and a New York-based Company known as Delos Living.
The Second group, was believed to have been Spearheaded by Hudson Pacific Properties Chairman, Victor Coleman, Coleman had teamed up with an investment group led by Chris Hansen, a real-estate developer from California, who is currently proposing an NBA arena in the SoDo section of Seattle, a neighborhood located South of the Old Kingdome and current Stadiums for the Mariners and Seahawks. Hansen and Coleman, both had purchased vast amounts of land in the neighborhood, including a concert venue to build the arena. Hansen’s group presently has an agreement with the City of Seattle to build an arena if the NBA decides to expand, but as NBC Seattle’s Chris Daniels Reported, Him and Coleman were unable to reach an agreement to change the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow for an NHL-First Clause.
The Third Group, was led by Connecticut-based investor Ray Bartoszek, who is the founder of RLB Holdings, which has stakes in a variety of companies, including the New York Yankees, Defense Mobile, Henry & Me Productions, and Global Solutions Energy (G.S. Energy). Alongside Bartoszek, was Thomas Tull, the CEO of Legendary Pictures, who had also placed a bid to buy the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, earlier this year, had proposed to build an arena in the suburb of Tukwila ,near a Light Rail station and Shopping Center. Bartoszek had tried to move the Arizona Coyotes in 2013, but failed when an agreement was reached between Glendale and the Franchise.
The NBA, has said repeatedly that, it would not expand to Seattle or any other potential market until the financial health of the other franchises was secured. Based on the last interview, Adam Silver gave however, indicated, that, the league was in no mood to expand at the moment.
Right Now, Only two NHL Teams are relocation targets, and both teams are expected to remain where they are. The Carolina Hurricanes, who are struggling with attendance, and the Florida Panthers, who have a long-term lease with the City of Sunrise until 2028.
Right now, It looks as if, Seattle will be without an NHL or NBA team for the foreseeable future. If things appear to change, You will hear it from me. Until then, Anyone wanna go see the Ice Capades ?
Comments
Post a Comment