Seattle Mayor ‘Reasonably Optimistic’ About NBA’s Return to Metropolis Amid Expansion Buzz

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan believes the NBA might perhaps perhaps effectively be returning to the metropolis quickly after talking with Commissioner Adam Silver.

“I mediate it became once a in reality determined dialog,” Durkan told Chris Daniels of King 5. “I mediate he has stated publicly that Seattle is at the tip of the listing. Look, if there might perhaps be basketball karma, we are going to rep the Sonics. If there might perhaps be economics involved, we are going to rep the Sonics. If there might perhaps be simply super, what’s the finest metropolis in The United States, we are going to rep the Sonics. So, I’m somewhat optimistic.”

Seattle has been purchasing for a brand unique NBA workforce for the reason that SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma Metropolis in 2008.

Regarded as one of the fundamental components for Seattle became once the center-broken condition of Key Arena, nonetheless a brand unique NBA workforce might perhaps perhaps now share Local climate Pledge Arena, the upcoming home of the NHL expansion Seattle Kraken and WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

Silver has been pondering two expansion teams and “floated” the postulate of a $2.5 billion payment for every, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

It also comes after Silver stated “Seattle will likely be at the tip of the listing” in a December interview with Jalen Rose.

Durkan believes there are already top alternatives in place for homeowners, including Kraken majority proprietor David Bonderman and Oak Discover Community CEO Tim Leiweke, who helped make the unique arena in Seattle.

“I originate no longer mediate that the simply possession team will necessarily be the impediment,” Durkan stated. “I mediate that getting the homeowners to the place the place they’re prepared to originate it, making a tag that’s one who’s market sensible is going to be the true discipline.”