Yesterday, we wrote a post about a pair of potential arena locations in greater Seattle (Tukwila and Bellevue), with the premise they could be viable alternatives to the potential site in the SoDo neighborhood that’s currently controlled by investor Chris Hansen.
Today, however, KING 5 News is shedding doubt on those two alternatives -- even though both just happened to be mentioned by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in a recent radio interview.
According to KING 5, the problem with the Tukwila site is that the developer does not believe an arena would be the “highest and best use for that piece of property.”
As for Bellevue, mayor Claudia Balducci had this to say: “We’re not in discussions with anyone about an Arena.”
So...why would Bettman have casually mentioned those two sites if they weren’t, in fact, realistic alternatives?
Could it have been to light a fire under Seattle mayor Ed Murray?
We only suggest that possibility because, according to the Seattle Times, Bettman has asked Murray if the memorandum of understanding between Hansen and the city could be modified to allow for the SoDo arena to be built without the guarantee of the city landing an NBA team.
Unfortunately for the NHL, which has made no secret its interest in expanding to Seattle, “there appears little political will to modify the deal.”
Unless Murray thought there was a chance he could lose out to Tukwila or Bellevue?
Would that create some political will?
Anyway, that’s the latest from Seattle. Here’s the latest from Vegas.