SEATTLE, WA. (NEWS1130) - The Pacific Northwest could soon be home to another NHL team if a multimillionaire from San Francisco gets his way.
Documents and emails obtained by The Seattle Times newspaper suggest talks between the City of Seattle and San Francisco multimillionaire Christopher Hansen to build a new arena have already begun.
Sports anchor Tom Hutyler with Seattle's KVI radio says the chances of it happening actually look pretty good.
"I guess, conservatively, 60/40 right now and leaning toward maybe a little higher, but we all want to see the NBA get back here. Even if you weren't a basketball fan, I think the way that it happened just left a very sour taste in everyone's mouth."
"Mr. Hansen has apparently exchanged a lot of emails with the mayor, the mayor's office, and other people in city government and city council members about what could be next, but I think there are going to be some more firm steps taken within the next couple of months," he adds.
The Seattle SuperSonics left in 2008 after 41 years. There's word a new basketball franchise could be back as early as next fall. As for an NHL team, Seattle has been quietly listed as a possible relocation site for the troubled Phoenix Coyotes, but having a new arena in place is key.
A team by the name of the Seattle Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup in 1917.