Originally published Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Seattle, Storm agree to 10-year lease at KeyArena

The Storm has agreed with the city of Seattle on a 10-year lease to keep the WNBA team at KeyArena.

Seattle Times staff reporter

The Storm has agreed with the city of Seattle on a 10-year lease to keep the WNBA team at KeyArena.

"It's fitting that we have agreed on a 10-year lease to launch the 10th anniversary year of the Storm in Seattle," Mayor Greg Nickels said in a release.

The city began working with the Storm's owners last February to negotiate a longterm lease. In the new lease, the Storm will be charged a lower rental fee and will share in some of the revenues, as a long-term tenant.

"KeyArena is a terrific home court for all the fans who have been so loyal to the Storm over the years," said Anne Levinson, chair of Force 10 Hoops, who negotiated the lease on behalf of the team. "We appreciate the city partnering with us so that we can keep ticket prices affordable for a diversity of fans and families throughout the region."

Levinson is one of four local businesswomen who purchased the team from Clay Bennett last year. KeyArena has been the home court of the Storm since its first season in 2000. The lease agreement is subject to City Council approval. The Parks and Seattle Center Committee will begin discussions today.

The Storm still needs renovations to KeyArena. When Bennett moved the Sonics to his native Oklahoma, he also stripped the facility of its plush courtside seats, high-tech televisions and other equipment.

Levinson said in the past that Force 10 Hoops, one of six independent owners in the WNBA, would rather share in the cost of new amenities for the arena. Levinson also visited the new Comcast Arena in Everett last fall.

The Storm's home opener will be June 7 against Sacramento. The date falls on the 10th anniversary of the city of Seattle being selected as one of four cities to receive a WNBA expansion team in 2000. Indiana is the only other sister-team still in existence. Portland and Miami folded.

NOTE

• As expected, the Storm did not match Chicago's offer for restricted free agent Shyra Ely, clearing the way for her to sign with the Sky on Monday. She averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds last season.

More Sports headlines...

Print Share: Digg Newsvine