Save Our Sonics and Storm Replies to Quotes by Nick Licata
No Economic or Cultural Value?
Licata on the damage the city would suffer if the team were moved: "On an economic basis, near zero. On a cultural basis, close to zero. We would still have two sports, and plenty of cities our size don't have three."
The Economic Impact
The Economic Impact of Seattle Sonics and Seattle Storm Basketball Franchises in Washington State report by Greg Pierce and Tom Jensen states the Sonics & Storm team's economic impact is 234 million dollars per year.
"This analysis is based on the studies conducted by Dick Conway and Bill Beyers and reflect the conditions of the franchises in the base years of 1993 (Mariners) and 1995 (Seahawks). In using the 2004 base year for the Sonics and Storm, the analysis is consistent in comparing the impact of each franchise in a dated facility."
1993 Mariners $ 270 million
2004 Sonics & Storm $ 234 million
1995 Seahawks $ 218 million
No study of the impacts of the new arenas and their impact on the economic impact on the region has been completed. However, if our recent experience with the increased visibility of the Seahawks and the Mariners in their new stadiums is any guide then surely the impact will be positive and significant.
Cultural Value
The Sonics have been a part of Seattle's culture since 1967. They won Seattle's first professional championship in 1979. Throughout the years they have had numerous winning seasons and playoff games that brought together and captured the imagination of this community. The Sonics have been a consistent presence as Seattle has grown into a world class market and one of the most recognized cities in the nation.
The Storm have been a strong part of this community since 2000 and won the city's second professional championship in 2004. Fan support for the Storm has been among of best of any teams in the WNBA.
National and International Awareness
Both the Storm and Sonics have featured players that have been great ambassadors for Seattle and have brought the city national and international attention. Whenever an NBA or WNBA team travels they carry with them the city they are from, this helps build awareness of Seattle around the nation. In recent decades international interest in NBA basketball has risen dramatically helping to promote Seattle's image around the world.
Recent History: Economics and Culture
The Seahawks are a great example of how investing in a team can bring both cultural and economic rewards. There was a significant influx of dollars generated by the Seahawks Superbowl run and the team is once again a big part of the Pacific Northwest's Culture.
The Key Without the Sonics
"Non-Sonics options pencil out, and that's the finding of sports- industry experts," Licata says of the recent study funded by Seattle Center. (February 13, 2006 - Seattle Times)
- The study that Nick Licata cites does not include the financial impact of the 600,000 people who visit the city to watch basketball every year. That number of visitors is much higher than will be realized from any combination of concerts, events or minor league sports.
The KeyArena Subcommittee recommends reviewing the broader impact of a major league arena:
In considering public funding for KeyArena, KAS encourages elected officials to consider a broad set of public values and benefits, including State, regional, and local economic impacts, impact on the financial health and vision of Seattle Center, impact of a major league arena on the quality of life of the region, the impact on living wage jobs, and the ability of a broad range of the community to enjoy the benefits of both building construction and building events.
The willingness of elected officials and citizens to invest in sports and entertainment facilities is generally based on the proposition that the incremental economic activity generated for the larger community from a major league sports franchise returns more benefit than it costs taxpayers. There is also strong sentiment across a broad range of citizens and elected officials that major league sports franchises, as well as premier arts and cultural organizations, are part of the attractions of great cities and add to the quality and diversity of city life. And, there are countless examples of specific public benefits negotiated as part of the public/private funding and lease agreements. The KAS encourages elected officials to consider all of these "returns" on a new public investment in the KeyArena. In particular, we would recommend that the length of the lease with the Sonics/Storm at least match the life of the public bond funding.
The spending of KeyArena patrons and businesses in 2005 created $353 million in business activity, 3,252 jobs, and $102 million in labor income in King County.
- To realize any profit from KeyArena, the city would need to do at least 20 million dollars in renovations. That expense is not included in the report.
- One of the more profitable options requires the Thunderbirds hockey team continue to play 40 games per year at KeyArena. The Thunderbirds, who are in the final year of their lease, also want renovations and those costs are not included in the report.
- If the Sonics remain in the Seattle area, but move to a new arena, the new arena would compete with KeyArena for concerts, the Thunderbirds, and other event bookings. This would make it extremely difficult to achieve the bookings outlined in the report.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=keyarena13m&date=20060213&query=Nick+Licata+sonics
The Sonics February Ultimatum
In response to the Sonics stated need to get something done before the close of legislature Nick Licata said: "It's just a political play, pure and simple. They want their way and they want their way now. There is no new information they are providing, they are just saying it louder," (February 03, 2006 – Seattle Times)
This has proved to not have been merely a "political play", the Sonics were sold just months after the legislature failed to act.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=schultz03&date=20060203&query=Nick+Licata+sonics
People Are Tired of New Stadiums
Licata: "I think in the context of where we are as a city, people feel the incessant demands of professional sports are just out of control," Licata said. "It's not worth it. It needs to be reined back in." (July 20, 2006 – Seattle Times)
We also heard this same refrain when people were fighting the Seahawks and Mariners. Fatigue about financing another stadium using public money is a very real problem, but the track record is clear. Both Safeco Field and Qwest Field are successful additions to this region. Investing in the Sonics would offer similar excitement and returns for this region.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=danny20&date=20060720&query=Nick+Licata+sonics |