New Seattle Arena Could Bring an NBA or NHL Team

News is pending on a potential plan for a new Seattle sports arena that would be located in the SoDo District.

Hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and his investment group purchased a three-acre parcel of land south of SafeCo Field in December for $21 million. Hansen, King County and Seattle officials are hammering out details for a proposed sports complex that could potentially bring a professional team to the city. While officials say numerous details still have to be worked out, the sports rumor mill has been cranked up.

The NBA has given the Sacramento Kings until the end of the month to present a financing plan to keep the team there, or they will face relocation. An earlier effort to get a new arena pushed through by city officials there failed. The NBA's New Orleans Hornets are already owned by the NBA, and they are diligently looking for a buyer (the Hornets might be a cheaper opportunity -- they recently lost their only star player, Chris Paul, to the LA Clippers).

The NHL could also be a player. The Phoenix Coyotes are currently under league ownership after being rescued from bankruptcy court. League officials have told Phoenix they have until the end of the season to find a local buyer, or they too, will face relocation.

NHL and NBA officials have refused to comment on reports of a group interested in bringing the Coyotes to Seattle;  Hansen has hinted he would be interested in seeing the NBA return -- especially after losing the Sonics.