^^^I think the Sounders prove you can play and attract fans/attention during baseball and football season. I find most of the sports teams to be niche driven anyway except UW football/basketball.
It is certainly going to be a question mark until they try it. But really what is there to do with a disposable dollar on a week day evening in the middle of winter that doesn't involve getting wet? I loved going to Sonics games just for that reason.
Sounders prove that there is a substantial underground soccer market that can be translated into financial success. And I think there is a stronger and more established hockey base here than certainly anything in Florida, Texas or California had at the outset. There is a following for the Canucks and niche followings for 2 WHL franchises on opposite ends of the metro area so that speaks to something.
I agree with AFC that there won't be a rush to get a NHL team till an arena is built. Though I think it is a buyer's market which is prompting Hansen to act now for both a team, land and financing costs which are comparatively low. Do all those things happen if you wait? Maybe, maybe not.
On a side note, it is interesting on the same day of this announcement, Amazon bought a huge chunk of the Denny Triangle in downtown Seattle.
Apparently the city/county didn't offer to finance 40% of Bezo's cost to build 3 million sq ft of new office space. Hmmm.....
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