Seattle City Council approves the Storm lease extension through 2028 with KeyArena
SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council voted unanimously today to approve a 10-year lease extension between the Seattle Storm and KeyArena at City Hall. Per the agreement, the Storm will play all of its home games at KeyArena through the 2028 WNBA season.
“We talk at great lengths about the impact and role of the Seattle Storm fans on our franchise success, but in addition to an incredible team, staff and fan base; it takes a robust and reliable partnership with the city you play for and the arena you play in,” said Storm President & GM Alisha Valavanis. “In our case, those partnerships with KeyArena and the City of Seattle were formed at our franchise inception in 2000 and have been an integral part of our success every day since. Today confirms this yet again and for that we are deeply grateful. We are honored and energized by this incredible support.”
The vote concluded negotiations that began over a year ago. The agreement recognizes the substantial public benefit provided by the Storm in the community and in supporting the vitality of Seattle Center and surrounding neighborhoods.
“Today is a great day for basketball fans in Seattle, as the Seattle Storm will call KeyArena home for the next decade,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “The Storm has been a fixture in the WNBA since 2000, bringing two championships and world-class entertainment to Seattle over nearly two decades. With today’s announcement, the Storm will continue to play in front of great fans and in the heart of the city. This agreement, along with the upcoming WNBA All-Star game hosted by the Storm this summer shows that Seattle is, and always will be, a basketball town.”
The Storm won the 2004 WNBA Championship in front of a sold out KeyArena crowd; the same arena that was host to the team’s undefeated home season in 2010 and a clean 7-0 sweep through the 2010 WNBA Playoffs en route to capping the historical season with the franchise’s second title. The Storm and KeyArena were voted ‘Best Home Court Advantage’ in the WNBA’s GM survey for six-straight WNBA seasons, 2009-2014, a direct nod to Seattle’s passionate fans and how difficult it is to for visiting teams to win in KeyArena
In July 2017, KeyArena will play host to the Verizon WNBA All-Star Game, the first time the event has been held in Seattle, highlighting the vibrant, rich Pacific Northwest fan base and culture.
“KeyArena has served as home court of the WNBA Seattle Storm since its inaugural season in 2000, and this agreement allows us to extend our valued partnership through 2028,” said Robert Nellams, Seattle Center Director. “On and off the court, the Storm supports our mission, to delight and inspire the human spirit and build strong communities, and we look forward to the years ahead of outstanding ball play that inspires our young people and supports the vitality of Seattle Center, surrounding neighborhoods and the region as a whole.”
About the Seattle Storm
The 2010 WNBA champion Seattle Storm is one of six independently owned teams in the WNBA, the world’s most successful women’s professional team sports league. Established in 2000, the Storm is committed to bringing outstanding professional basketball to a fan base rich with tradition and support. The Storm leads the way for change in the community with outreach programs for youth basketball, health and fitness. The organization looks to be an inspiration for girls and women while providing support and motivation to better the Puget Sound. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit StormBasketball.com.
About Seattle Center
Connect to the extraordinary at Seattle Center, an active civic, arts and family gathering place in the core of our region. More than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations that reside on the grounds, together with a broad range of public and community programs, create thousands of events on the 74-acre campus and attract over 12 million visitors each year. At Seattle Center, a department of the City of Seattle, our purpose is to create exceptional events, experiences and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities. Activities at the Center generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income.