Going to be the nicest arena in the WAC

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Quote:Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and the Oak View Group (OVG) have a formal agreement to build a $600 million privately financed arena at Seattle Center, with tens of millions more in transportation mitigation.

The deal calls for construction to begin next year and be complete by 2020.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as it is commonly known, will be formally submitted to the Seattle City Council on Tuesday.

OVG, led by Tim Leiweke, has committed $40 million for transportation mitigation around Seattle Center and $20 million for a community fund in addition to the cost of the arena. That could push the project well over two-thirds of a billion dollars in private financing. Half of the community fund will go towards YouthCare and addressing youth homelessness.

Seattle City Budget Director Ben Noble says he’s confident OVG has the financial backing to carry it out. In fact, Leiweke said potential NHL franchise investor, UW grad and Billionaire David Bonderman “has put money into the building.”

Bonderman has personally met with council members and has been spotted at Seattle City Hall recently.

The announcement comes after weeks of negotiations and by the deadline set by the Seattle City Council for such an MOU. Leiweke called the negotiations “difficult” and “emotional” for everyone.

The council will now review and potentially amend the deal between the Office of Economic Development and OVG. But the current terms lay out a vision for the next 50 years of the KeyArena site and potential for the NBA and NHL.

If Seattle is able to get an NBA and NHL team to come to town and other entertainment events, scheduling wise SU will not be playing there. Still think Seattle needs an on campus arena.

(09-12-2017 12:18 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  If Seattle is able to get an NBA and NHL team to come to town and other entertainment events, scheduling wise SU will not be playing there. Still think Seattle needs an on campus arena.

Seattle U has been talking to all different arena groups about playing in all proposed arenas, both in SoDo and Key Arena, so I think they plan on playing there regardless. Many other schools do this in NBA/NHL arenas and have a backup arena when needed, as SU does. Unless the arena owner says no, it has looked like SU goes where the new arena goes. The school apparently is even prepard to leave an untouched Key Arena for a brand new SoDo arena. I would greatly prefer a (bigger) on-campus arena though.

Is this new arena on a different site or a replacement for the Key Arena? If this is on the same site as the old Key Arena, and the intent is to draw a new NBA franchise, NHL franchise, big concerts and major events, (like CrimsonPhantom) I don't see how this arena cans support Seattle U's home basketball schedule as well. Here in Phoenix, we have the Talking Stick Resort Arena (old name America West Arena) where the Suns play. With all the events there, I can't honestly see how an arena like that could support a college team like GCU basketball as well. So, I struggle to think this is a good thing for Seattle U.

It looks great! I hope they build/refurbish it. I hope Seattle U plays there. And I hope they sell it out every night.

(09-12-2017 01:43 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Is this new arena on a different site or a replacement for the Key Arena? If this is on the same site as the old Key Arena, and the intent is to draw a new NBA franchise, NHL franchise, big concerts and major events, (like CrimsonPhantom) I don't see how this arena cans support Seattle U's home basketball schedule as well. Here in Phoenix, we have the Talking Stick Resort Arena (old name America West Arena) where the Suns play. With all the events there, I can't honestly see how an arena like that could support a college team like GCU basketball as well. So, I struggle to think this is a good thing for Seattle U.

Capital One Arena and Wells Fargo Center are two examples of arenas that are home to an NBA, NHL, and CBB team at the same time during the year. Its more than possible to work. On top of that, SU would be the only tenet as of now besides the WNBA

This is the current Key Arena after a remodel. If it was impossile for SU to schedule here, they wouldn't have been trying to get into the new Seattle Arena, wherever it is, as of last spring (when Groz from 710ESPN Seattle and the SU play by play, reported they have been)

An on campus arena would be ideal but if were going to play in an NBA arena, why not a brand new state of the art one instead of a sub-standard one?

You guys can't even fill a gym with 500 people you think you'll be able to have good crowd there? I agree that a nice 5000 seat like GCU and Cal Baptist did would be much better than a giant empty almost empty arena watching SU basketball.

IMO every school should have their own arena on campus. Somewhere to hang your banners with pride. Somewhere for visitors to see your history and your fans to revel with pride in their team. SU could use this arena to get some schools to play them in a neutral court setting. But like the current Key Arena, I just do not see it giving SU a home court atmosphere that a college team needs.

Also I have yet to see how much the new arena will hold. The Key currently hold 17,000+. The new one looks to hold a lot more.

(09-12-2017 06:08 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote:  You guys can't even fill a gym with 500 people you think you'll be able to have good crowd there? I agree that a nice 5000 seat like GCU and Cal Baptist did would be much better than a giant empty almost empty arena watching SU basketball.

Never said we would have a good crowd. It will look just like Key Arena does. But if SU can get back to 4-5k average attendance like they had as an independant, which winning will bring, it will look better. Hopefully they can curtain off the upper levels like SU does. Key Arena is really an 8k seat bowl during SU games

Basically, no matter what state SU attendance is in, theres no on campus arena coming and a brand new NBA arena beats a decaying sub-standard NBA arena any day for any SU game

(09-12-2017 09:14 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  

(09-12-2017 06:08 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote:  You guys can't even fill a gym with 500 people you think you'll be able to have good crowd there? I agree that a nice 5000 seat like GCU and Cal Baptist did would be much better than a giant empty almost empty arena watching SU basketball.

Never said we would have a good crowd. It will look just like Key Arena does. But if SU can get back to 4-5k average attendance like they had as an independant, which winning will bring, it will look better. Hopefully they can curtain off the upper levels like SU does. Key Arena is really an 8k seat bowl during SU games

Basically, no matter what state SU attendance is in, theres no on campus arena coming and a brand new NBA arena beats a decaying sub-standard NBA arena any day for any SU game

The pro venues mentioned in a previous post house Georgetown and Villanova respectively. They have a following that justifies their use of those pro arenas. Nevertheless, if Seattle U. gets use of the new revamped Keys Arena, it will definitely be a positive for their future recruiting. However, unless Seattle can draw well above 5K per game, this new arena will continue to sound cavernous with their current fan following; Not lending to much of a home court advantage.

(09-12-2017 09:14 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  

(09-12-2017 06:08 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote:  You guys can't even fill a gym with 500 people you think you'll be able to have good crowd there? I agree that a nice 5000 seat like GCU and Cal Baptist did would be much better than a giant empty almost empty arena watching SU basketball.

Never said we would have a good crowd. It will look just like Key Arena does. But if SU can get back to 4-5k average attendance like they had as an independant, which winning will bring, it will look better. Hopefully they can curtain off the upper levels like SU does. Key Arena is really an 8k seat bowl during SU games

Basically, no matter what state SU attendance is in, theres no on campus arena coming and a brand new NBA arena beats a decaying sub-standard NBA arena any day for any SU game

Well if the arena looks like this:


I don't see any room for curtains.

Just remember there is a new group taking over this arena. They want NBA and NHL teams.

From my understanding for SU and Storm type crowds the "new" Key can curtain off upper levels if need be. I highly doubt NBA returns to the Key no mater what they do to it. NHL just need a functioning site and they will be in Seattle fairly fast. Major concerts right now head to Tacoma, Everett, and Kent, unless its in the summer months where Safeco and Centruylink are used as well. SU will have a place at the "new" Key. But an off campus site kills the student following vibes like crazy but hopefully if they start winning more ppl will show up.

(09-12-2017 10:22 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  From my understanding for SU and Storm type crowds the "new" Key can curtain off upper levels if need be. I highly doubt NBA returns to the Key no mater what they do to it. NHL just need a functioning site and they will be in Seattle fairly fast. Major concerts right now head to Tacoma, Everett, and Kent, unless its in the summer months where Safeco and Centruylink are used as well. SU will have a place at the "new" Key. But an off campus site kills the student following vibes like crazy but hopefully if they start winning more ppl will show up.

Winning will bring more people. Games at Connolly dont even bring students. But when the team is winning, the student section has been packed. 2014 vs Idaho it was filled from row 1 up to about row 25 or higher. Looked like a P5 student section. But right now free Lyft rides to and from Key Arena for students dont even work.

Dollar dug SU into a hole and attendance shows it. But the numbers also show, winning even as just an independent will bring 4-5k people per game. Thats obtainable again

It is possible the arena ownership could kick SU out down the road but it wont happen day 1 when SU is currently the only winter tenant they have. SU has reportedly been working on securing a spot in the new arena for some time so I'm sure they have a plan

Again, it looks like CBU's arena is taking shape. Another nice addition to the WAC...

(09-13-2017 02:52 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Again, it looks like CBU's arena is taking shape. Another nice addition to the WAC...

CBU has the perfect arena for SU admittedly. I always liked C of Charelston's design for an SU-arena too

Love how CBU's is shaping up. Visually, it reminds me of the McKale Center at University of Arizona. Very light colored court and everything else dark. Kinda like this, but much smaller. Add proper lighting and the action on the court really does become the center of attention. Very well done!

The Bert Ogden Arena (the new venue UTRGV will use next season) appears to be a similar set up to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena; except a little larger at 8,500 seats.

(09-13-2017 10:24 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  It is possible the arena ownership could kick SU out down the road but it wont happen day 1 when SU is currently the only winter tenant they have. SU has reportedly been working on securing a spot in the new arena for some time so I'm sure they have a plan

OVG could very well kick them out before its done being that the start of 2018 through some point in 2020 no events are going to be played there due to the remodel. OVG could fill potential SU spots with other events like concerts and Disney on ice. This will make OVG more money at the Key. I hope SU doesnt get the 2 boot salute from OVG but its possible. Connolly is to small but I bet thats where they go for the next couple of years. Also SU won't get a sweet deal to play at the Key going forward I bet. Anyways Something needs to happen for Seattle to attract pro winter sports and if it shafts SU in the process that sucks but SU will survive and be alright.

(09-14-2017 09:48 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(09-13-2017 10:24 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  It is possible the arena ownership could kick SU out down the road but it wont happen day 1 when SU is currently the only winter tenant they have. SU has reportedly been working on securing a spot in the new arena for some time so I'm sure they have a plan

OVG could very well kick them out before its done being that the start of 2018 through some point in 2020 no events are going to be played there due to the remodel. OVG could fill potential SU spots with other events like concerts and Disney on ice. This will make OVG more money at the Key. I hope SU doesnt get the 2 boot salute from OVG but its possible. Connolly is to small but I bet thats where they go for the next couple of years. Also SU won't get a sweet deal to play at the Key going forward I bet. Anyways Something needs to happen for Seattle to attract pro winter sports and if it shafts SU in the process that sucks but SU will survive and be alright.

Seattle U did sign and extension with Key Arena last year, not sure how long, so not sure how that will be handled. Hopefully not just terminated. If that is the case maybe SU can get a nice little cash bundle from OVG for early termination.

I still dont see why OVG would want to kick out 1 of the only 2 permanent tenats out before they have an NHL or NBA team. Theres 12+ SU home games. Instead of replacing SU with concerts or disney on ice why not both?

SU needs to do everything they can to play at the new arena if an on campus one cant be built. Players hate Connolly