Thiel: Exclusive — Mariners on their arena fight | Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have taken plenty of heat for their opposition to the proposed NBA arena, considering the hoops that team itself had to jump to get Safeco Field built.  Veteran Seattle sports columnist Art Thiel posted his exclusive interview with Mariner CEO Howard Lincoln concerning the motivation of the baseball franchise.

thiel: Exclusive — Mariners on their arena fight | Seattle Mariners

Pete Nordstrom Was Involved In Previous Sonic Ownership

One of the named partners in the attempt to bring an NBA team back has sports ownership experience, Pete Nordstom said in an interview with KJR morning man Mitch Levy, was in the ownership group led by Howard Schultz that sold the team to Clay Bennett.  Nordstrom said that although there were 58 investors in the Schultz group, a strong board of nine were able in assisting with team decisions.  A "perfect storm" situation took place that prompted the sale of the team to the Bennett group.  Nordstrom said that he voted against the sale, feeling that it would result in the teams relocation. Nordstrom said that the investors voting in favor of the sale thought that Bennett would want to and be able to keep the team in Seattle.
Erik and Pete Nordstrom, along with Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer are partners with Chis Hansen in an attempt to build an arena that would bring an NBA team back to Seattle.

Hansen Reveals Investment Partners

In an interview with Sportsradio 950 morning personality Mitch Levy, Chris Hansen revealed his partners in the endeavor to build an indoor sports arena in hopes of bringing an NBA team to Seattle.  Hansen said that Microsoft Executive Steve Balmer and Erik and Peter Nordstrom of the well known Seattle based retailing family.
Hansen also said he was aware that Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn was going to New York to meet with NBA Commissioner David Stern despite rumours to the contrary.