Mayor Greg Nickels
Jim Brunner and Ralph Thomas, reporters for the Seattle Times, are reporting today that Steve Ballmer's generous offer may have a time limit. The bad news for Seattle fans is that state Legislature will close the book for its present session on Thursday, so any change on a state level will have to happen pretty damn quick. Gov. Christine Gregoire doesn't really seem to understand the urgency...She was quoted as saying that this issue has been presented too late for consideration at this time, and if such a time limit has indeed been placed on the offer, the City of Seattle will have to step up and "front" the remaining funds needed for renovation.
The official statement from Ballmer and friends reads that if their offer isn't accepted by April 10th, they "will need to go back to our other responsibilities and our offer will expire". I sincerely hope that Seattle leaders will recognize the immediacy to such a situation, especially after Mayor Nickels recent announcement. Even if Bennett is unwilling to sell the franchise, Key Arena renovations will be needed for any other franchise to move to Seattle anyway. The renovations are needed for professional sports to thrive in Seattle, Sonics or not.
1 comment:
Sport teams provide a great economic resource for cities. It boosts not only sales in the arena but around as well. Although Seattle is a very art based city there are all kinds there and it seems that sports have been put on the back-burner for many involved. I think they have missed the passion of Seattle fans, which has been demonstrated by you.
-AO
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