Originally published Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Seattle offering Storm support

The Seattle City Council voiced its support of the Storm keeping KeyArena as its home. A proposed resolution requests that Mayor Greg Nickels...

By Jayda Evans

Seattle Times staff reporter

The Seattle City Council voiced its support of the Storm keeping KeyArena as its home.

A proposed resolution requests that Mayor Greg Nickels, Seattle Center and Storm owner-to-be Force 10 Hoops work together to extend the team's lease.

"I'm pleased we have the opportunity to continue the strong tradition of professional women's basketball at KeyArena," Nickels said in a statement.

Force 10 Hoops is a group of four local women who purchased the WNBA team from Clay Bennett and his Oklahoma-based group for $10 million in January.

The sale requires approval by the WNBA Board of Governors this month.

Save Our Sonics and Storm, a group that is fighting the potential relocation of the NBA Sonics, said in a statement that it is "extremely encouraged."

"This effort by city officials to reach out to team ownership should be applauded, and this proposal is a great first step in ensuring Seattle remains a top-tier city," the statement said. "The Storm are an integral part of the city's fabric at Seattle Center, and this is a clear demonstration that city officials are capable of working with team owners and finding solutions to difficult arena issues."

The group emphasized that the Storm is not a replacement for the Sonics.

"We encourage local citizens to contact Mayor Nickels and the City Council members to let them know a deal must be reached to keep the Sonics in Seattle as well."

A vote on the proposed Storm resolution could come as early as Friday.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com

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