Seattle Arena Investor Says No Hockey-first Plan Yet

SEATTLE (AP) — The investor attempting to build a new basketball and hockey arena in Seattle says his group has yet to be presented with a plan that would have a hockey franchise as the first occupant of the facility.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Chris Hansen said despite speculation about Seattle being a potential NHL expansion market, there has yet to be any formal proposal that would allow for arena construction to begin with only a hockey franchise secured.

The original memorandum of understanding between Hansen's group, the city of Seattle and King County calls for arena construction only to begin after the acquisition of a basketball franchise. A revised MOU for a hockey-first scenario would need to be approved by local governments and likely require more private investment.