Chris Hansen Bringing The NBA Back To Seattle For The Fans
SEATTLE — In a sports era dominated by ego-driven, eye-catching tabloid news where the sole goal is to make yourself look good there are those who truly do it poor the good of the game and the people. One of those people, 44-year-old multimillionaire Chris Hansen, is a Seattle native who has done something not many can do.
Bring excitement to a city without saying a word to the public or media. With a topic so popular yet at the same time sensitive Hansen has been able to keep out of the public eye. Since purchasing three acres of land for $21 million in December 2011 the cities excitement has been steadily growing with the possibility of an NBA and/or NHL franchise relocating to Seattle.
Even before purchasing the land two months ago, Hansen had been talking quietly with Seattle city counsel officials for the past eight months about building an arena and bring a team or two to Seattle. Keeping out of the public eye and not in the center of attention has been important for Hansen who wants it to stay that way.
For the first time Hansen talked to the Seattle Times Wednesday about the reports of building an arena and bringing a team along with it. “If it weren’t for my desire to bring an NBA team here no one would have heard of me.” Hansen said ” I would prefer to keep it that way. This isn’t about Chris Hansen. This is about an NBA team and a new arena. That’s what fans want and what Seattle should be excited about.”
While some athletes use the tactic “it’s about the team, not me” this is an honest, true statement about the type of man Hansen is. He grew up in Rainier Beach, just under a 20 minute drive to downtown Seattle and like everyone else he loved the Seattle SuperSonics.
Now at the age of 44 Hansen wasn’t to bring back what he believes rightfully belongs in Seattle, a professional basketball team. Hansen isn’t doing it to get in the public eye, he’s not doing it to suit his own ego. He’s doing it for the fans and the city of Seattle who have longed for the NBA to return since the Sonics left in 2008.
And if you think Hansen is doing it to rob another city and have someone else feel the pain Seattle did, you need to think again. ” it’s time to really let go of that,” he said referring to the Oklahoma City Thunder “As we try to put our best foot forward, and bring back professional basketball and hopefully professional hockey to this city, I think we have to realize the mistakes we made and stop blaming other people.”
A crucial point in the process will be NBA commissioner David Stern, along with the relocation committee headed by Clay Bennett. The name should sound familiar given his connection to Seattle and one of the countless reasons Seattle has been without professional basketball since 2008.
The man who left an empty hole in the hearts of many when the Sonics left is one of the few who hold the key to its return. While David Stern has reiterated that should the city build a quality arena the league would welcome a team back in Seattle, some are skeptical.
Hansen wants that skepticism to end. You can’t blame him, he’s been working for almost a year to do what several other business groups couldn’t do. Get an arena deal done without using taxpayer funds and have the people of Seattle believe it will happen.
When all is said and done the city could have the perfect package with Hansen leading the way. A man born in Seattle, putting a good portion (almost $300 million) of his own wealth into it, and getting professional basketball back.
“I’m not doing this for any sense of ego, or desire for the public spotlight.” One quote can carry the weight of a city. Hansen wants this more than anyone, but he’s not doing it for himself.
He’s doing it for us. The fans.
You can follow Lars on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larshanson
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