Lawmaker drafts plan to bring NBA, NHL to new Seattle arena

seattle80 said on October 4, 2011 at 8:02 PM

Bring back the NBA!!!! I'm all for it. Finally someone with an idea. It could be a totally privately funded arena and some people would still have a problem with it...... geez!

Saomonella said on October 3, 2011 at 4:12 PM

Instead of continually saying "we have other problems that need to be taken care of" can you at least step forward with an idea? The idea that building a stadium and taking care of other issues are mutually exclusive is just flat out wrong. Its not one or the other. It never is so stop acting like its that black and white.

Saomonella said on October 3, 2011 at 9:51 AM

ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE? NO? THEN YOU AREN'T PAYING ANY TAXES FOR THIS!!!! Why is that so hard to understand. Can some of you not read?

oldlewy said on October 2, 2011 at 3:08 PM

If the taxes stay in Seattle and Seattle businesses OK bring on the NBA, I'll never go to any games for a local team nor watch them on my TV. Don't care if we have a team here, I won't pay for it or watch them. I don't care

aking5viewer said on October 2, 2011 at 1:12 PM

SmithGurl, your argument is fairly weak. So your justification to support taxes on entertainment arenas is because govt inefficiently spends money on other things, more taxes are okay? If these teams are so great, then why did they construct Key Arena only to dumped a decade later as not sufficient? So let's build another one--what a g0d d4mned waste! Plus, all the benefits of discipiline, self reliance, etc., u see in sports can be done on school teams. You don't need pros for that. The current culture of the NBA and other pro sports for that matter shouldnt be something your kids admire: flashing gang signs at games, threatening other players with firearms, having mutilple children out of wedlock, etc. Many althetes don't make good role models. You want your kids to worship and mimic that behavior instead of inventors, doctors, teachers, etc., I feel bad for your worldview.

awol50 said on October 2, 2011 at 12:07 PM

Mike Hope is a crony capitalist and a RINO. He has lost my vote. If this is the best that the republican party can throw out there against Reardon, the republicans deserve to lose. We need a real choice, not more of the same big government coziness and cronyism with private businesses. Mega millionaire and billionaire owners and players do not need government cronyism involved in their businesses. We need a real leader. Not a wanna be liberal hiding behind the republican name.

shoreline said on October 2, 2011 at 11:31 AM

Smithgurl, Other venues to bring people together? How about any of our High School Sports teams, How about our many College and University sports teams, how about the Aquasox and Silvertips and Sounders? How about Bumbershoot, the Taste of Seattle or any of a plethora of local festivals? We have LOTS of things to bring people together. You want to talk about snobbish??? How about blackmailing a city because Key Arena wasn't good enough? Whiney team owners who have to have the latest and greatest "state of the art" facilities no matter what are what caused the Sonics to leave town. There was nothing wrong with the Key. Snobby rich people who wanted more premium corporate box suites that most of us will never set foot in isn't a glowing endorsement for "community". You're heroes and idols seem to be more hoodlums and felons in the NBA. You want sports? Look to the UW, WSU, PLU, SPU, Sounders, etc... We have PLENTY of sports teams to get behind.

shoreline said on October 2, 2011 at 9:48 AM

c8lsonics, The office buildings aren't funded and built by taxpayer dollars, they are built, owned, rented, etc., by private developers or the companies themselves. Since that cost is built into the rents or mortgages these companies pay to occupy the buildings, workers pay is already figured in. I'm not willing to pay my hard earned money to bankroll or subsidize a private organization that makes billions or the players who make multi-millions every year by selling outrageously priced tickets and merchandise. Let the Seattle area businesses who benefit from the influx of people pay for part of the new arenas. There's more than enough money flowing through the pocketbooks of those making money off these ventures to pay for their palace. I can choose to go see a game or not, go out to a meal at an area restaurant or not. That's how everyone can decide if an arena is worth it or not.

c8lsonics said on October 2, 2011 at 9:11 AM

@maynerdgkrebbs Why don't you give up 10% of your salary to pay for the office/building that you work in?

lindengroves said on October 2, 2011 at 9:00 AM

Mike Hope just lost my vote for Snohomish County Executive.

c8lsonics said on October 2, 2011 at 8:07 AM

I want the Sonics back, but you don't get a dime from taxpayers. I also think charging athletes to play a away game is ridiculous! How many of us travel to other cities to work and have to pay an additional tax just to be there. You pay taxes on your travel, hotels, food, and transportation and then you are expected to pay more? Stupid.

Smithgurl said on October 2, 2011 at 8:06 AM

The Debbie & David Downers are so quick to rain on any parade immediately, with the 'not with my tax dollars' argument. It's comical. Obviously they saw 'stadium' or 'sports' and quit reading or their brains shutdown - and immediately started in with the 'not with my tax dollars' stale argument. Were you saying the same when hearing that 500 million of our tax dollars went to a solar panel company, a company we knew would go T.U.? Doubtful. Then there's the money for better things' - money raised for the purpose of A) would not go to B), and even if it could be funneled in such a way, and using the Seattle School District as an example - do you really think the money would be used towards a better education for the children? If so, please check out prior Times' articles on recent waste and the ousting of our School Superintendent. I'd say wake up and smell the coffee, but since we're without noses...how about if we just wake up?

Smithgurl said on October 2, 2011 at 8:05 AM

The kids - lacking something positive to identify with, with idle time on their hands, keying cars, scrawling on walls, or worse, instead of taking strides to do whatever it takes, in school and elsewhere - to mimic their idols - Kevin Durant, Ray Allen, Detlef Shrempf, on the court and off by staying physically fit, getting the grades and spending downtime working towards this instead of possibly something destructive. Like it or not, kids need an outlet, for many it's an outlet that burns energy - not to mention the lifelong lessons learned from athletics - teamwork, self reliance, selfworth, dedication, hardwork. With all of that being said, I would love for an arena solution to be worked out and for a professional basketball team to return to the region. Just not Seattle. Place it in BELLEVUE, RENTON, or TACOMA even, I'll make the drive. I'm hoping that will be the impetus for Seattle to wake up and take a look at itself and how shortsighted we're being. (Continued)

Smithgurl said on October 2, 2011 at 8:04 AM

I hope to be able to bring my own kids to a pro basketball game in the region at some point, so they can somehow pick up on why it was so important to me growing up - it was a connecting point for me and my family and friends, and for the naysayers to somehow try to make this seem insignificant, simply because it's not what floats their boat, is snobbish. Then there are the tangibles - the economic bump to the region (SODO, which sat as a wasteland for a long time, the Key Arena sitting as one now along with numerous businesses surrounding the area, another), the local charities that used to receive generous donations from several of our Sonics players - Boys & Girls Clubs, Ronald McDonald House, CAYA - and the Seattle Public Schools' 'Read to Succeed' & 'Hip to be Fit' programs. (Continued)

Smithgurl said on October 2, 2011 at 8:03 AM

I apologize for what will be a lengthy multi-part post, but the negativity is ridiculous. How much longer will Seattle continue to cut off its nose to spite its face before we realize how ridiculous we look, noseless? I'm a huge sports fan, local team fan especially, and grew up with the Sonics, Hawks and M's. The transformation of a region as a result of a professional sports team isn't lost on me - it never ceases to amaze me - the intangibles many of the naysayers dismiss. The cohesion and euphoria felt in a city backing a playoff bound team. The fact that thousands of people - of various cultures, religions and backgrounds can gather, enjoy themselves and back a common cause still amazes me. I cannot think of another venue or entertainer that has the ability to do this, and you'll be hard pressed to bring up an example. Provide one if you can. (Continued)

maynerdgkrebbs said on October 2, 2011 at 7:11 AM

Why can't owners and players pay for their own playground ? Why should public money be used to fund something that the public cannot attend for free? Or at least a nominal cost. Like any business if you can't afford to expand or build a new facility ,then you don't do it.

kiyugi said on October 2, 2011 at 5:25 AM

Well, here's something that the GOP and Demos can agree on. That it takes a Lake Stevens Republican to lead the charge is a bit strange. Rather it would be a Seattle solon, but I'll take it. Go Sonics!! (and Thunderbirds??)

invalid said on October 2, 2011 at 2:41 AM

Seattlebro11 is a good example of how our schools are failing. I think Mr. Hope needs to experience a change in his status as an elected representative.

mrbongo said on October 2, 2011 at 12:33 AM

The NBA can go elsewhere as far as I am concerned. That is putting it nicely.

Seattlebro11 said on October 1, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Why is everybody having negative thoughts about this I think this awesome I mean come on guys show some sprit you guys are just being a bunch of negative thoughts on this just because we have to improve our schools well guess what our schools are ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!! We don't need to improve them I MEAN GOD!!!!! At least our schools in this state or have private bonds unlike cities in Detroit where they have barrow money from the government I mean at least where not like Detroit and also I think Mike Hope is doing a great job and he knows what he is doing and he is going to improve our state by getting the NBA and NHL back to this amazing city and he is going to at least improve our schools but I already think our schools our good I mean we are like ranked like #13 in the country on schools and I know it's not great but at least it's not last so you to you guys that are having negative thoughts on Hope and the NBA and NHL coming back then you guys should SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rationalthinkr said on October 1, 2011 at 10:15 PM

Id be interested in a NHL or NBA teams here in Seattle. Has to be better than the subpar MLB and NFL teams we have now.

TruthBTold said on October 1, 2011 at 10:01 PM

The first rule of professional sports ownership is don't fund your own arena. The heyday of the NBA has long since past and today is filled with too many egomaniacs who are hard to cheer for after one hears them talk. The NHL has a great product with humble players but it's still a professional sports organization and will bring all the bs of pro sports. Seattle already has two great, affordable hockey options in major junior hockey in the Thunderbirds and Silvertips- one in each end of town. The Thunderbirds are currently carrying the torch for the hockey rivalry with Portland that goes back 80 years. Reasonable ticket prices, free or cheap parking and cheaper beers. A NHL would create a big rivalry with the Canucks and a lot of Canadians would buy tickets and spend money in the area during games. Plus Seattle would get more ice rinks which would be great. But, we have a lot more pressing concerns as many have stated already.

aking5viewer said on October 1, 2011 at 9:37 PM

IceBerge, nothing is free. Aside from maybe management positions, waitressing/waiting tables and hotel jobs dont usually create many $50-60k jobs. I'm all for the NBA to return and the NHL in Seattle but not into more taxes for social luxuries esp. w/o a strong economy. Worrying about education is more important than more entertainer worship. Sorry, but pro athletes are wonderful but they ain't scientist, engineers, teachers, police, and firefighters. No, I don't necessarily think it's fair to tax pro athletes either just because they make good money even if it feels less bad. I'm sure public, working taxpayers will foot more than a fair share for a new arena.

agarmy said on October 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM

Sp., timbuc, just because I have a job, a decent job that makes over 20k a year, I have to pay even more in taxes? Not my fault someone isn't ambitious enough to make more than what they are making. Adding all of that garbage isn't going to fix anything.

lsmith5870400119 said on October 1, 2011 at 6:43 PM

The money could better be spent somewhere else. The state has no business meddling in the sports business. Let the sporting business support themselves.

maynerdgkrebbs said on October 1, 2011 at 6:02 PM

Why doesn't the professional sports players give up 10% of their salaries to build their own play grounds? Sort of like a banking system to build, maintain,and pay for new ones.

awol50 said on October 1, 2011 at 3:24 PM

I believe it is called an income tax. And last time I looked, there was no personal income tax in Washington. Other states such as California have an income tax that EVERYBODY who works in the state whether as a resident or non-resident pays. Don't be fooled. This is just a shoe in the door attempt to bootstrap everybody in Washington into an income tax. Do not be fooled. Again, these athletes are employees of their clubs and as such cannot be taxed in Washington on their income they earn from playing here.

IceBerge said on October 1, 2011 at 3:08 PM

Some of the people commenting on this need to settle down. For one the bill is probably not the only thing, surely one of many things that these two represenatives have been working on. Secondly the bill poses no new taxes on the people of Washington State or Seattle. Taxes those multimillion dollar athletes so many of us love to hate. Third it will create jobs and save jobs. Those 80 plus home games between the NBA and NHL teams will create jobs to build the stadium, will add or keep jobs at local hotels and restraunts (which btw will help pay off Safeco, the Clink and the Kingdome faster) and will add more tourism to a city most people woulnt want to visit in the winter time. NBA and NHL is great for out local economy and civic pride, great new arena, two new teams we all can be proud of and cheer for and more jobs kept or added. Look at all the facts when a bill like this is created and there is no reason not to want this bill to pass and this essentially free arena to be built!

luxuryliving said on October 1, 2011 at 3:03 PM

This would be fun! I miss the fall and winter traditions with my family of sitting court side for sonics games. I also miss the dance team and the beautiful people who go to sonics games. Miss that camaraderie with fellow fans! Nice mental break after a long days work to escape to a basketball game.

monoblocks said on October 1, 2011 at 1:59 PM

NBA ball back in Seattle? Only AFTER David Stern is dead and buried.

Timbuc said on October 1, 2011 at 12:16 PM

Lets see MLB Pilots now Mariners has been in Loser Seattle for 30 years~~ The team left seattle, came back left again Now here.. ALL loser teams.. Then the NFL All loser teams since king dome 30 years.. The future for MLB and NFL.. LOSERS.. do not attend games-- yet tax dollars buy the teams and stadiums.. Sick of that... Send Hockey to Spokane- Send Baskethoops bootsheads to Yakima.. Legilize all dope and legilize street walkers, legilize fishing at night with tribble hooks, ban all electric vehicles, install beds inside Metro Buses for homeless .. Open Indian casino downtown Seattle in all the vacant buildings Increase taxes to only those that have jobs and paid more than $20K year

shagcrawler said on October 1, 2011 at 11:56 AM

I Can't Believe these Polticians! They seem to think that bringing NBA/NHL to Seattle is more important than Helping the Citizens of this Great City!!.During these tough Economical times.Shouldn't you Be thinking on Helping The People First on Boosting Employment for those Who desperately need Work instead of forceing them to rely on Community Services.And Pay for Sports Program's that Most People cannot Afford.If You Put As Much Effort In to Helping People as you Do Wasting time In Sensless Legislation.Just to Appez a Few. This City Would Have A lower Unemployment Rate.And Less Relience on City And State Services Shame On You

blkxdragon said on October 1, 2011 at 11:54 AM

Its a little too intimidating to watch the faces of Black athletes (thugs) without helmets to cover their faces isnt it? Now, you like soccer better right? And how about them Mariners? Lmao I hear Idaho doesn't have any pro teams! Less intimidating!!! They got guys in the woods that are pretty good shots though. They don't like hoops either... Basketball is coming back to Seattle folks. Regardless what the right wing thinks...

Viewer5 said on October 1, 2011 at 11:53 AM

An idea to bring men’s basketball and hockey back to Seattle… Does King5 no longer employee story editors or proofreaders?

Sir_Real said on October 1, 2011 at 11:37 AM

I agree.. Will it create jobs? crappy seasonal ones. Will it be profitable? probably not as we are still paying for the Kingdome. Will it enhance the quality of Seattle? In my opinion, NO!

whatsyurbeef said on October 1, 2011 at 11:16 AM

Questions to be answered first. Will it create jobs ? Will it be profitable ? Will it enhance the quality of Seattle ? If these questions can't be answered positively you might just as well ad height to the Space Needle to make it the tallest structure in Seattle again....

bkattic said on October 1, 2011 at 10:54 AM

I am no longer willing to support a NBA francise, here in Seattle... you can thank Wally Walker, ex-Mayor Nichols, and Howard Stern, for that position I hope alot of other ex-Sonic fans take also. I will lend my support to the Mariners and Seahawks.. and support our Sounder fans, too. But I feel, the way the "once loyal Sonic fans" were treated.. (I am not speaking for the Sonic fans who wained in their support over the last remaining years), by those names (mentioned above); that soldout the Seattle Sonics.. at the expense of the fans that gave nothing less than their dedicated support... The NBA does not deserve Seattle fans, the gave the NBA alot of support and alot of ticket sales, for many years. I figure the NBA should not get any support in this town...but thats just me. signed: an old seattle sports fan...51

aking5viewer said on October 1, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Meh, the NBA has waned in popularity since the "golden era" of the 80s and 90s. The "hiphop/thug bling" culture of the NBA also is unattractive to many, including myself. Many pro sports teams are unprofitable due to mismanagement so proper management is more important in the longrun compared to acquiring funds for a new arena (no mention of this anywhere in the article). The NHL might be a nice change, but I guess why not promote both for dual use...however, I'm against tax payer money going into stadium and dont believe sports teams do much for common working folks economically, unless you think $10/hour parking and concession jobs contribute tons to the local economy.

tracer2010 said on October 1, 2011 at 10:06 AM

How about if we tax the rich pro athletes to pay for our desperate K-12 education system instead? That would move our state in a better direction than building another palace for them to play their games.

mdlanigan1573781 said on October 1, 2011 at 9:50 AM

Is there anyone out there with a quarter of a brain? Interview some of these kids for a job. Most of them cannot fill out a job application - or, better yet spell correctly when they do. All we teach our children to do is PLAY. No wonder the US is the laughing stock of the World....

vanceox said on October 1, 2011 at 8:55 AM

I echo what "wrsawy" says; NO NEW TAXES!!!!!! I do not want to pay for any more "toys" that billionaire sports owners can afford to pay for out of their own pockets (or by their corporate sponsors)!!!! Seattle does not need the NBA or the NHL!!!!!

kennethroger said on October 1, 2011 at 8:46 AM

Get the Department of Defense to be a co-sponsor. Then, if the teams embarrass us, we can send a drone.

deepsee said on October 1, 2011 at 8:22 AM

Thats just what we need, another losing professional sports team....I Didn't even notice the Sonics missing in the first place....

noskills said on October 1, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Representatives can work on multiple bills at once. Some of you are talking as if this is the only thing that this guy is working on. From what I read of this the funding will come from taxing players of professional teams that come and play games here. This is not some new idea. Many cities already do this. As do states with income tax. They tax the players for earning part of their income in that city or state.

curlyq said on October 1, 2011 at 7:49 AM

I'd love for Seattle to have an NBA basketball team again...right after we fund education for our children.

sensationalize said on October 1, 2011 at 7:49 AM

Don't put in Seattle, traffic is already screwed up enough. Put it in Redmond at the MS campus and have the nerds pay for it!

chuckstr76 said on October 1, 2011 at 6:25 AM

What is this sh*t,, The wants of the one, out weigh the needs of the many...In this economy, your kidding...right...Alice, this isnt Kansas anymore, get real..

brexcavator said on October 1, 2011 at 5:42 AM

How about you jerks get back to work doing what you are supposed to do and end your foolish fantasy world. Get us infrastructure, end crime, end poverty and homelessness( or at least slow its growth), then lets think about maybe fundng something like this. As long as schools remain overcrowded, we can live without NBA which no one WATCHED ANYHOW!!!!!!

ti3ber said on October 1, 2011 at 12:28 AM

Sir_real usually has no problem raising taxes as long as its a dem doing it.

Sir_Real said on October 1, 2011 at 12:16 AM

Stupid Lake Stevens Republican, we don't need to leave more taxes to put in a freaking new sports arena!

IamHonest said on September 30, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Yo, unhappy, maybe you should be concerned about much bigger problems yourself. I guarantee you the state, reps, officials, etc. are wasting MUCH more time and money on sillier things than this and most of those probably have less supporters than basketball/hockey. If you are unhappy with the toilet that your electeds have put you in then stop electing them. Your voters have been very consistent in their choices for many years. They give you toilet and you vote them back in. Your own fault. If you personally voted any of them in then you got what you wanted. "If they want to come here, let them pay".... kinda the point of the article and bill, wasn't it? Again, you are getting what you want. Relax. You don't know if I played sports in H.S. or not. Doesn't really matter either way. Weak shot by someone who has no other shots.

unhappy said on September 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Yo, point of the matter is... we have bigger problems in the state then concerning ourselves with a basketball ball team.... if they want to come here, let them pay.....this is why are state is in the toilet................Rep Mike Hope should be working on much bigger state wide problems/issues than a silly basketball team.... just because you didnt play sports in high school doesnt mean the rest of us want to pay so you can live thru someone else...... time to grow up.... time to fix the real issues in the state.....

Seattlebro11 said on September 30, 2011 at 11:29 PM

I think this is awesome I really miss the sonics and I think it's great that right now Hope is trying to get them back cause when sonics come back I will be so excited cause Seattle really loves basketball and I hope too that when we get a team back we should go down to OKC and beat up the thunder so I think this is awesome and I hope we get more news about the NBA and NHL coming to Seattle real soon

IamHonest said on September 30, 2011 at 11:24 PM

Yo, unhappy, must suck to be you. Unhappy and can't read. If all the offenders and crooks are forced to pay for every crime they commit in Seattle and they get some criminal themed license plates (black/white stripes maybe?) then they will get the same deal. "We" don't have to have the money. "They" do. They being the players and fans. You are neither so relax. Get happy. And learn to read.

unhappy said on September 30, 2011 at 11:02 PM

glad we have money for this but were closing prisons and ending probation on sex and violent offenders.... how screwed up is our goverment,