SB Nation Seattle - Seattle Interested In NHL Relocation, But Don't Expect Anything Soonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-05-25T15:45:49-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19541392011-05-25T15:45:49-07:002011-05-25T15:45:49-07:00Washington State Considering Taxing Athletes To Raise Arena Funding
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<p>It's relocation day here in Seattle and the dialogue opened may prove to be valuable. One such idea involves a tax, but it's hard to see how the citizens of Washington state bristle at this plan like they would a typical tax plan. Instead, funding to bring an NBA or NHL team to Seattle could come from a tax on visiting athletes, and the plan has seen success before in other states.</p>
<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nba/2015109179_nbaseattle22.html">Seattle Times had the details on the plan</a>, which came about as a movement to bring the NBA back to Seattle resurfaced this week, along with the same <a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/2011/5/25/2190098/seattle-nhl-relocation-arena-seattle-sonics">movement to bring the NHL to the city</a>.</p>
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<p>The coalition plans to discuss the merits of a jock tax that would require visiting professional athletes to pay state income tax for each game in the state of Washington. The funds from the tax would help finance construction of a new facility or renovation of an existing one for an NBA team.</p>
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<p>A similar tax in Los Angeles netted the city $102 million dollars. I'm struggling to find anything wrong with scraping from visiting athletes to pay off our own arena. Count me in for this plan.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-nba/2011/5/25/2190412/seattle-nhl-nba-relocation-athlete-taxBrian Floyd2011-05-25T13:09:52-07:002011-05-25T13:09:52-07:00Seattle Interested In NHL Relocation, But Don't Expect Anything Soon
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<p>This week, a growing movement to bring the NHL to Seattle has been building momentum. The movement includes a group ready to act now in an effort to bring an NHL team to Seattle. With the excitement of the NHL playoffs and the success of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Vancouver Canucks</a>, our neighbors to the north, it's a good time to make a play for a team. But there are obstacles, and they're significant.</p>
<p>NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.king5.com/sports/Group-interested-in-luring-NHL-to-Seattle-122557174.html">confirmed a group had contacted the league</a>, but offered little more. He did say the group probably wouldn't be able to act by next season, making it sound as if nothing was imminent.</p>
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<p>"We’ve had discussions with a group in Seattle," said Daly, "Certainly people who are interested in having NHL hockey in Seattle. I would rather not get into specifics to be fair to that group, or the process."</p>
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<p>While it's a fun story, the group will face the same problems groups trying to bring the NBA back to Seattle have faced. Simply put, Key Arena is not going to work. In the NBA and NHL, an arena must be a revenue stream, and we've passed that point with Key Arena. It's old and outdated, in professional sports terms, and no owner would be satisfied using it as-is.</p>
<p>We know Northwest rivalries can work, as evidenced by the Cascadia Cup in MLS and the fantastic environment seen during the match between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders just over a week ago. But rivalries and environments only go so far, and are not valid reasons for an ownership group to bring a team to Seattle.</p>
<p>If this plan is going to work, the group trying to bring the NHL to Seattle and the groups trying to bring the NBA to Seattle should join forces and push for an arena, be it in the city or to the east in Bellevue. Neither the NHL or NBA will wander blindly back to Seattle without a new arena in place. It's not practical and it sets the city up to fail once again.</p>
<p>If you build it, they will come has been the mantra of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sonicsgate.org">Sonicsgate </a>and other groups working to bring the NBA back. And it rings true no matter the league. We know the Northwest has passionate fans and is an environment professional sports will strive, but the rubber needs to meet the road first. Talk is nice, and the buzz helps, but the region has to put its money where its mouth is. If we truly want a team, private funding must be secured and an a new arena must be built.</p>
<p>You can find more on the NHL movement in Seattle from Travis Hughes at SB Nation <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2011/5/25/2190027/nhl-seattle-hockey-team-relocation-expansion">here</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2011/5/25/2335705/seattle-interested-in-nhl-relocation-but-dont-expect-anything-soonBrian Floyd