Arena fever has hit Seattle hard today and Pete Carroll took to twitter, as he customarily does, to voice his support for the deal:
Go Chris Hansen go.... how could I not support a Bay Area guy who went to SC and loves Seattle?
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) February 16, 2012
The more important figure in all of this though, at least when it comes to the Seahawks and their support or resistance to a deal like this, is Seahawks and Portland Blazers owner Paul Allen. Allen released a statement through the team a few minutes ago:
#Seahawks release a statement from Paul Allen on arena proposal: "It was a sad day when the Sonics left Seattle, a move I opposed (cont.)
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 16, 2012
... (More Allen) It’s exciting to think about the NBA coming back to Seattle and renewing the rivalry with the Portland Trail Blazers.
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 16, 2012
... (Allen part 3) However, it is too early for me to comment any further without a specific plan or proposal to review."
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 16, 2012
He obviously has to issue the caveat at the end, but it seems likely that Allen would be in favor of this move. He's a huge fan of the NBA - some say it's his true love, much more than the NFL and the Seahawks, and Allen has proven to be very loyal to the city of Seattle. It would seem that the Seahawks likely wouldn't resist such an Arena Deal plan, but the Mariners' likely stance is much more clouded.
As for the Sounders - they've already voiced their opinion, as Boyle also points out:
Seahawks Peter McLoughlin and Sounders Adrian Hanauer: "We support anything that is good for the Seattle community and downtown development"
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 16, 2012
McLaughlin and Hanauer continued "Both the Seahawks and Sounders believe that the economic and cultural benefits of professional sports...
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 16, 2012
... " are a central and important contributor to any community's growth."
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 16, 2012
Just over an hour until the City will hold their press conference with a so-called 'major announcement' on a potential deal for a new arena. Stay tuned.
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