SEATTLE (May 17, 2017) – Seattle Storm President & GM Alisha Valavanis released the following statement tonight:
“The Seattle Storm looks forward to a future when we can share our community’s mantle of professional basketball with an NBA franchise, whether it’s at a renovated KeyArena or a new SODO arena.
In the meantime, the Seattle Storm has the 2019 season to think about as our current KeyArena lease expires at the end of our 2018 season. Recognizing our franchise, 18 years in, owned for the past ten by a trio of local, community-minded women, needs a home, we began negotiating early in 2016 to extend our current KeyArena lease. This timeline preceded the start of dialogue around renovating KeyArena.
We deeply value our current partnership with the City and KeyArena. This partnership illustrates Seattle’s commitment to community, diversity, equality, and inclusion. We are proud to play here and represent the Emerald City.
In the event the City decides to pursue the development of a SODO arena, based on our past experience working with the City of Seattle and Chris Hansen to complete the current MOU, we are confident that all three parties can come together again.”