February 16, 2026 • 21 mins
Chris Daniels from KOMO-TV joins Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain to talk about the latest comments from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver surrounding expansion in 2026 and next steps, plus the new Millionaire Tax in Washington State affecting pro athletes.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the R and R Foundation Specialist broadcast studio. Now
back to Softie and Dick on your Home for the Huskies,
Kraken and the twelfth Man Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJR FM.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
We will make decisions in twenty twenty six. I think
in fairness to the cities Seattle in Las Vegas in particular,
I don't want to tease teams. I don't want team
to tease cities or mislead. We wanted to get through
collective bargaining national television deals. We've done that, and now
we've turned to it as a league. My sense is
at the March Board of Governor's meetings we'll be having
(00:34):
further discussions around expansion process. We won't be voting, but
we will likely come out of those meetings ready prepared
to take a next step in terms of potentially talking
to interested parties.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
All right, Adam Silver says, I don't want to tease
anybody but to Vegas and Seattle. Your fate will be
decided this year, So pay attention. We are back on
a President's Day Monday. Kevin Martinez Sports are excuse be
President of Business Ops for the MS will join us at.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Six pm right now, though, a guy that covers the.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
NBA as well as anybody, our friend Chris Daniels from
Como TV is with us again on the radio program.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Chris, how are you man?
Speaker 5 (01:15):
Good? Welcome back from the Super Bowl.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Yeah, well you as well. You worked your ass offs
on there too, man. So the difference is Dick and
I have gone back to slacking off, and you're just
continuing to work hard and churn out content that people
actually need to see and hear, versus the stuff that
we put on on the radio every single day. But hey,
before we get to this tweet you just sent out
about the millionaires tax I want to ask about how
(01:39):
that could impact athletes coming to Seattle. Give us kind
of your gut, your take, your reaction to everything got
In Silver said over the weekend at the All Star
Game about Seattle in the NBA.
Speaker 6 (01:49):
Well, as we talked about before, guys, Adam Silver watches
all his verbiage very carefully, and that was likely his
planned statement out of the game on expansion and suggesting
that they're going to move forward in March with some
sort of process. We had all heard the same things
in the last week. Senator Maria Cantwell had told me
(02:12):
that she expected the NBA to move forward with the
process in March at their Board of Governors meeting. There
had been some other reporting earlier in the week about
that as well, and so in advance of that, there
was an expectation that Adam Silver would say what he said,
And it sounds like in March, at that Board of
Governors meeting, we're going to hear likely the NBA say
(02:36):
they're ready to hear from cities here, from ownership groups here,
the financials here, the offers about a potential expansion franchise
with a process that could likely take a few months
and be settled by the fall one way or the other.
Speaker 7 (02:50):
He says, I don't want to tease cities. There are
a lot of fans out there. I am not one
of them, By the way, I don't think he has
been teasing, But there is a lot of fans that
thinks he'd been teasing Seattle for years and stringing us along.
Do those fans have a legitimate griper? Is he just
falling a part of the process.
Speaker 6 (03:07):
Well, I think he's following a process. But I think
we've all heard the same thing that there are people
who say, Hey, wake me up when this is over, Chris,
wake me up when this is over, gatting Softie.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
I mean this has.
Speaker 6 (03:19):
Dragged out for quite a long time. In fact, Adam
Silver started talking about expansion in twenty twenty and there's
been hills and valleys, and we're getting closer than making
a decision, and then we're not, and we're going to
talk about it internally. And he's changed his verbiage over time,
but as you alluded to, he has now put a
line in the sands, so to speak, saying they are
(03:40):
going to make a decision in twenty twenty six. Now
he's saying they're going to talk about it in their
March Board of Governor's meeting and the next step in
terms of potentially talking to interested parties. I think we're
back to where we were in twenty twenty four, when
it did seem like there was a lot of build
up talk about umbrella organizations locally with the kracking and
(04:01):
Climate Pledge arena, and there was an expectation around the
exhibition game at Climate Pledge that there was going to
be a lot of potential NBA effort. I think that's
now where we are again in twenty twenty six. The
groups are now putting their money together. Names are starting
to say here's how much I'll put into this. And
(04:22):
that is what Adam Silver was trying to signal by saying, Hey,
we want to make a decision in twenty twenty six.
Get your wallets and your purses together, because this is
going to be the time to do well.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
I guess, I guess.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
The question is they're going to get together in March
and talk about this. Are they talking about expansion and
potential relocation of struggling franchises or is expansion really the
only topic that's on the table.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
Well, he did affirmatively say relocation is not on the
table right now. I think lingering in the background is
the situation in Portland, the situation in Memphis and New Orleans.
That's also kind of lurking. He did not give any
any case that Portland has tied to Seattle. Senator Maria
(05:07):
Cantwell I asked her about it last week during the parade,
and she said that she believes Portland will also get
their deal done, and Senator Ron Wyden down there has
been involved in trying to make that deal go through,
with the potential renovation of the Motus Center. So but
(05:27):
it lingers in the background until it doesn't. And we
know the situation not only with Jody Allen telling the Blazers,
but potentially the Seahawks that also could be a factor
in all of this as well. But it certainly seems,
based on what Adam Silver is saying, that we will
have some sort of resolution one way or the other.
And I would say that for all the people who
(05:49):
feel burned by the NBA in the last eighteen years,
this may be the final chance for the NBA to
resolve this. I think Adam Silver wants a legacy piece
here and he wants to finalize the return of the
Sonics to Seattle, and this is something that he has wanted,
but not all the NBA owners have wanted, and that's
(06:11):
why it has been tough to push it across the
finish line or the end line, if we want to
use the basketball metaphor.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
How much did this one or two year delay that
you spoke of saying that we're kind of back at
twenty twenty four again, how much did it cost the
Seattle ownership group in franchise valuation inflation?
Speaker 8 (06:28):
And does it potentially scare off some suitors.
Speaker 6 (06:32):
Yes, I mean if you look at the Blazers going
for four billion, the Celtics going for six, the Lakers
going for ten, that raises the valuation of any sort
of expansion franchise. And I also look at the changing
the changing marketplace for regional sports networks and how that
is all rapidly changing. These owners are looking for other
(06:55):
ways to find some revenue and also as they launch
a europe only that is likely going to be announced
here in the first half of this year, and the
startup costs involved in all of that. I think the
NBA looks at that as an absolute cash cow and
a way to maximize their sports networks. And they're broadcasting
(07:16):
and digital deals by having interest in Europe and having
different deals in Europe, that is part of this whole
metric as well as they try to figure out expansion.
They likely need the expansion costs at this point to
help with falling TV revenues on a local level and
also the startup of a European league, which they so
(07:37):
desperately want.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
It appears at least Adam Silver does right well.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Chris Dangels come on News with us talking about everything
Adam sober set over the weekend, says there will be
a decision on expansion at some point in twenty six.
So for those that are sick and tired to wait
and the weight is almost over one way or the other. Chris,
you just tweeted out that the Washington State Senate just
to prove to bill to we eight a millionaire's tax
(08:01):
nine point nine percent above everything over a million dollars
still needs House and Governor's approval. There's going to be
legal challenges all that that could take years obviously with
this thing. But I think from a sports perspective, the
question is one thing that we've always said on this
radio station is hey, there's no income tax in Washington State.
Right you're an athlete making a gajillion dollars a year,
(08:23):
you come here, you save a little money compared to
a place like California. We won't be able to say
that anymore if this thing actually passes. How much of
a negative tangible impact do you think this could actually
have on professional athletes coming to our state If it
does pass, I think it.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
Is a talking point, no doubt.
Speaker 6 (08:44):
The idea that you would lose potentially ten percent of
your income you know, it's.
Speaker 5 (08:48):
Been an advantage for Washington State. It's an advantage definitely
for the Vegas booth nights down in Nevada.
Speaker 6 (08:54):
It's definitely been an advantage for the Florida hockey teams
in recruiting free agents to go to those places. There's still,
I think a lot of this story yet to be written.
When we consider that Canadian teams have been dealing with
this for years and players who will make their permanent
residence in the United States to avoid paying the higher
(09:17):
Canadian taxes. There's still the question of whether this is
legal under the Washington State constitution. That's likely going to
be the legal challenge here, given that just two years
ago there was an initiative to ban income taxes in
Washington State that the legislature approved after the signatures were
collected in Washington State.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
So I think there's still a story to be written here.
Speaker 6 (09:40):
But yes, the immediate aftermath is there's still going to
be changes on the House side. The governor has not
officially signed off on all of this, although he has
showed his support, and then there will be a legal challenge,
so we'll see how this drags out. But I think
there's still a lot to be written on that particular
story of.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
A New England.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Right, Well, this is not really a sport. It's question,
but hey, what the hell you're here? You think they
stop at a million dollars by the way.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
On the income tax? Yeah, the nine point nine percent.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
Well, I think that's what the opposition has said, is
that this just opens the door for a state wide
income tax for everybody, right, and they won't stop at
the nine point nine percent for just high earners.
Speaker 7 (10:25):
Is the general perception. I feel the general perception of
the league of the NBA is it's in a bad spot.
And yet I see ratings are the highest in eight years,
the playoff ratings relies in fifteen years, the valuations keep
rising at astronomical levels. So is the NBA really in
a bad spot as the narrative suggests.
Speaker 5 (10:49):
Well, I think it's it's depending on how you want
to look at it, right.
Speaker 6 (10:52):
I think there's a lot of discussion over the weekend
about the NBA All Star Game, and there are some
empty seats down in Los Angeles, and therefore it's not
working anymore. They should cancel the event. And then you
see the ratings for the best they've been in years.
I think avam Silver does have issues involving tanking and gambling,
and how gambling could impact the sport, and whether the
(11:16):
NBA needs to do more in working with the companies
that promote this on your apps in some states where
it's legal to do that. I think those are existential
challenges for the NBA, as well as just the changing
marketplace of TV and digital rights.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
Well, let me ask you this, Chris before you go.
I got one more so.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
I think I've asked you this question before, and I
think I may have asked you this question like every
year for the last two or three years. If I'm
going to schedule some vacation time over the summer, when
should I be in town, When should I plan on
being on the air and available in case an announcement
does come down that we're getting a basketball team back.
Speaker 6 (11:55):
Well, I think July is the earliest that it would
potentially happen, with the Board of Governors meeting down in
Las Vegas, although we've seen the NBA operate differently before
with different committees and you know that could be part
of this whole equation, and an ownership committee to study
expansion and another meeting there but I think the earliest
(12:17):
you're talking about any sort of vote would be July,
and more likely towards the fall, before the start of
the next NBA season in September.
Speaker 7 (12:26):
So finally from me, Chris, we appreciate you joining us.
So it looks like March they'll decide yes or no
on expansion. We'll get that, and then July they'll decide
on who is going to expand And will it come
out on I mean, will this be a Sham's bomb
that we'll read on Twitter? Will this be all under
you know, closed door until Adam Silver takes you know,
takes to the podium.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
How do you think it all plays out?
Speaker 6 (12:50):
Yeah, there could be a Palm's bomb in there somewhere.
But I think that Adam Silver, it has worked long
enough on this issue, you know again, starting in twenty twenty.
He suggested that here we are six years later, that
he wants to make this a big deal if in
fact they do move forward. I would also point out
that one of the things he said on Saturday was
(13:12):
that may not be a two team expansion, doesn't necessarily
have to be a two team expansion. Maybe there's a
scenario where it's won right, and Seattle's in a better
position to do that than Las Vegas right now. Was
still arena issues to be worked out there. We know
the NBA is interested in Vegas, but potentially this is
something that they stagger out knowing that Seattle is ready
(13:34):
and that Vegas may still be a couple of years out.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
I lied, I got one more.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
When they do meet and talk about this, Christian again,
Chris Daniels COMO TV with us. You know there's been
some owners, including the guy that owns the Knicks, that
we know are kind of against this. I mean he's
been public, Dolan has in his criticism and doesn't really
want to see this happen. So we know there's at
least one guy that's against it. If they do vote
on this in July, I mean, do you feel like
(14:00):
this is a foregone conclusion the NBA will say yes
to us.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
I don't think Silver moves forward unless he thinks he
has the support to do this. It's part of the
old David Stern playbook. You don't necessarily want to leave
a meeting with a key vote without close to an
unanimous decision. We all know what happened with the vote
back in two thousand and eight and there are only
two no votes. It was a little bit closer in
(14:27):
twenty thirteen with the King's decision, but Silver doesn't want
to move forward and then have egg on his face
with ownership not approving this. So I think that if
they get to a point where he says in March
we're opening up for an expansion process, that they're going
to move forward with this and likely have a vote
by September at the latest.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Gotcha, that's great news then, right.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
I mean, if they say we're going to vote on this,
then we can all maybe start to get in position
at least to make it happen. So all right, buddy, Hey,
keep up the great work and we'll talk soon.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Man, Thank you, Thanks Chris, you bet christianiels with us
on the air.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
I mean, I guess that really is kind of my
feeling as well as his Dick, that if they go
to vote on this, I can't imagine them voting to
say no. Although they did vote to keep the Kings
in Sacramento. Right when Chris Hansen wanted to buy him
and move them to Seattle, they said no to him.
Weren't they in Dallas or something like that? When they
had to vote down there or whatever. I remember video
(15:23):
coming out of Dallas. I said, no push from Kevin
Johnson on the other side. Well, of course there's going
to be pushed on the other side. The guy's the
mayor of Sacramento. I mean there was push from our
idiot mayor too, and he couldn't get the job done.
If they're not going to a vote unless they're ready
to say yes, because this is a scenario where they
would then literally have to say I'm sorry, we voted
(15:46):
and we said no a second time in the last
fifteen year, fourteen years whatever it was twenty twelve right
to Seattle when he bought the Sacramento Kings. And I'm
just telling you right now, I think it's going to pass.
I think they're going to vote for expansion. But if
they I'm back and they say no, I'm kind.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
Of out at that point.
Speaker 8 (16:03):
Yeah, no, I'm kind of out. I think that's fair,
and I think I think we're going to find out
in March.
Speaker 7 (16:08):
I mean, if they if they go forward, great, if
they go forward to this mark, yeah, the I think
the icing on the cake is July.
Speaker 8 (16:17):
The cake itself is March.
Speaker 7 (16:19):
If we come out if there's a Sham's bomb next
month that says the NBA has decided to go forward
with expansion, that's the cake, with.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
The vote for expansion or the expansion conversation whatever.
Speaker 7 (16:31):
Correct, I mean, that's that's the cake itself. Man, We're
we are down the road now. I agree with that,
and I agree with what Chris just said. I I
would be pretty surprised because that would be if Chris
is right Jackson, that this is a legacy deal for
Adam Silver, he would then think of that as a failure. Oh,
that he let this thing go to the owners and
they told him to take a hike, right.
Speaker 9 (16:52):
I I'm just saying, like, I don't want to count
any chickens before they I agree with that. And yes,
the elements of these owners are all absolutely out for themselves,
and I'll have various motivations that we don't even know,
and you never know if something pops up in two
months that could sway somebody one way or another. I'm
just not I'm not going to and listen to I've
(17:13):
been on your side for most of this thing, but
we are so close now that the difference for me
of celebrating in March. For celebrating in July is nothing.
So I'm gonna celebrate anything.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I think that's fair if they want, if they want
Seattle to stay on board with the NBA, my recommendation
to them is, if you're not going to say yes,
then don't even bother going to a vote. Yes, just
tell us in March, Jack, we're not doing it right
because you're going to piss off a lot of people.
But you'll piss off more people by going to a
vote in July and having some you know nit wit
you know, came out of a conference room and say sorry, yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
But you're not saying that.
Speaker 8 (17:48):
People would be pissed off if they decided to go
to a vote in March, right.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
No, I think they'd be pissed off if they said
no to a vote or they said no during the vote.
If the answer is no, Seattle's going to give a big,
fat and middle finger to baskets in the NBA. And
by the way, I know what I would do if
I were an owner, I'd say no, I'd move a
team here, That's what I would do.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
He did say.
Speaker 9 (18:12):
Adams Silver also said that that relocation.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Is not on the table today today, but if it
comes down to expansion or moving a team, I'm moving
a team. There's too many teams around the league that
can't draw squat and fans don't care like New Orleans
by it. But those teams are still making money. Handle
making way more money though, way more money. And Jackson,
(18:34):
I understand what Adam Silver just said. I'm just sharing
my opinion. If I'm an owner, That's what I'm saying.
I'm saying, Adam, why are we voting to split up
this pie two more pieces when there's three rotten pieces
to begin with that need a new Because you're not
getting the check in your well, that's part of it.
Speaker 7 (18:52):
You're not if you go expansion, you're getting a three
hundred and fifty million dollar check handed to you.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
You're not getting if you're.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Much of my losing by splitting up the pie, though,
that's what nobody knows. I don't know the numbers, Dick,
Nobody knows the numbers. And if I'm an owner, that's
what I'm voting for. Whatever makes me more money is
what I'm voting for. This is why I'm scared. I
don't want to chickens until July. If expansion makes me
more money, then let's expand. If keeping it the way
it is and then moving a team to Seattle and
(19:21):
keeping that pie slice makes me more money, that I'm
voting for that, I don't know, man, I just see
so many freaking teams around the NBA that are struggling,
and I would be really hesitant if I were an
NBA owner to do this before I've looked at all
relocation options as well. Portlands want them to and you know, look,
I hear people say things like and I don't want
(19:41):
to do it another time.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
What was screw that.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
With that?
Speaker 3 (19:45):
If that's the only way I'm getting a team, I'm sorry,
I'm breaking a five year old kid's heart.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Call me immoral, call me a hypocrite. I don't give
a crap.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
This is all about what's best for us, not about
what's best for somebody else's town or fan.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
That's it.
Speaker 7 (20:00):
But indeed these teams are making even the worst teams
are making eight percent are the valuation is eight percent
more the next year than it was this year, even
the worst of the worst.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Well, then it's got to be about just again that
piece of the pie not being worth it, right, It's
it's worth it. To cut it up one more slice. Again,
whatever makes them money is what they'll vote for. And
if this makes them money, then they'll do it.
Speaker 5 (20:26):
Right.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
But I just again, I don't know if the NBA really.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Cares about the fans feelings in Seattle and their legacy
in Seattle. Look, I mean, Chris, maybe right that Adam
Silver has got, you know, some kind of personal legacy
that he really, you know, wants to bring the NBA
back to Seattle. But I think in the end, the
legacy of every commissioner is told by how much money
he puts in the owner's pockets because that's who he
(20:52):
works for. That's that's their boss.
Speaker 5 (20:55):
Right.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
So Jackson, I'm with you.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
I think either way we're gonna know before the next
Seayawks season starts. Yes, all right, that's what this spring
and summer is going to.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Be all about.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
So again, tell me when I got to be here,
tell me what I tell me what Dick and I
can't tak you already know you're gonna be gone for
it like you already. No, Well, I should leave tomorrow
and tomorrow we're gonna break our bellvy Rick coins Golden
moment from the weekend and then Kevin Martinez, president of
business operations for the Mariners, Lots to talk about with him,
including how we're gonna watch him this year next on
(21:29):
ninety three three kJ RFN
From the R and R Foundation Specialist broadcast studio. Now
back to Softie and Dick on your Home for the Huskies,
Kraken and the twelfth Man Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJR FM.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
We will make decisions in twenty twenty six. I think
in fairness to the cities Seattle in Las Vegas in particular,
I don't want to tease teams. I don't want team
to tease cities or mislead. We wanted to get through
collective bargaining national television deals. We've done that, and now
we've turned to it as a league. My sense is
at the March Board of Governor's meetings we'll be having
(00:34):
further discussions around expansion process. We won't be voting, but
we will likely come out of those meetings ready prepared
to take a next step in terms of potentially talking
to interested parties.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
All right, Adam Silver says, I don't want to tease
anybody but to Vegas and Seattle. Your fate will be
decided this year, So pay attention. We are back on
a President's Day Monday. Kevin Martinez Sports are excuse be
President of Business Ops for the MS will join us at.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Six pm right now, though, a guy that covers the.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
NBA as well as anybody, our friend Chris Daniels from
Como TV is with us again on the radio program.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Chris, how are you man?
Speaker 5 (01:15):
Good? Welcome back from the Super Bowl.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Yeah, well you as well. You worked your ass offs
on there too, man. So the difference is Dick and
I have gone back to slacking off, and you're just
continuing to work hard and churn out content that people
actually need to see and hear, versus the stuff that
we put on on the radio every single day. But hey,
before we get to this tweet you just sent out
about the millionaires tax I want to ask about how
(01:39):
that could impact athletes coming to Seattle. Give us kind
of your gut, your take, your reaction to everything got
In Silver said over the weekend at the All Star
Game about Seattle in the NBA.
Speaker 6 (01:49):
Well, as we talked about before, guys, Adam Silver watches
all his verbiage very carefully, and that was likely his
planned statement out of the game on expansion and suggesting
that they're going to move forward in March with some
sort of process. We had all heard the same things
in the last week. Senator Maria Cantwell had told me
(02:12):
that she expected the NBA to move forward with the
process in March at their Board of Governors meeting. There
had been some other reporting earlier in the week about
that as well, and so in advance of that, there
was an expectation that Adam Silver would say what he said,
And it sounds like in March, at that Board of
Governors meeting, we're going to hear likely the NBA say
(02:36):
they're ready to hear from cities here, from ownership groups here,
the financials here, the offers about a potential expansion franchise
with a process that could likely take a few months
and be settled by the fall one way or the other.
Speaker 7 (02:50):
He says, I don't want to tease cities. There are
a lot of fans out there. I am not one
of them, By the way, I don't think he has
been teasing, But there is a lot of fans that
thinks he'd been teasing Seattle for years and stringing us along.
Do those fans have a legitimate griper? Is he just
falling a part of the process.
Speaker 6 (03:07):
Well, I think he's following a process. But I think
we've all heard the same thing that there are people
who say, Hey, wake me up when this is over, Chris,
wake me up when this is over, gatting Softie.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
I mean this has.
Speaker 6 (03:19):
Dragged out for quite a long time. In fact, Adam
Silver started talking about expansion in twenty twenty and there's
been hills and valleys, and we're getting closer than making
a decision, and then we're not, and we're going to
talk about it internally. And he's changed his verbiage over time,
but as you alluded to, he has now put a
line in the sands, so to speak, saying they are
(03:40):
going to make a decision in twenty twenty six. Now
he's saying they're going to talk about it in their
March Board of Governor's meeting and the next step in
terms of potentially talking to interested parties. I think we're
back to where we were in twenty twenty four, when
it did seem like there was a lot of build
up talk about umbrella organizations locally with the kracking and
(04:01):
Climate Pledge arena, and there was an expectation around the
exhibition game at Climate Pledge that there was going to
be a lot of potential NBA effort. I think that's
now where we are again in twenty twenty six. The
groups are now putting their money together. Names are starting
to say here's how much I'll put into this. And
(04:22):
that is what Adam Silver was trying to signal by saying, Hey,
we want to make a decision in twenty twenty six.
Get your wallets and your purses together, because this is
going to be the time to do well.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
I guess, I guess.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
The question is they're going to get together in March
and talk about this. Are they talking about expansion and
potential relocation of struggling franchises or is expansion really the
only topic that's on the table.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
Well, he did affirmatively say relocation is not on the
table right now. I think lingering in the background is
the situation in Portland, the situation in Memphis and New Orleans.
That's also kind of lurking. He did not give any
any case that Portland has tied to Seattle. Senator Maria
(05:07):
Cantwell I asked her about it last week during the parade,
and she said that she believes Portland will also get
their deal done, and Senator Ron Wyden down there has
been involved in trying to make that deal go through,
with the potential renovation of the Motus Center. So but
(05:27):
it lingers in the background until it doesn't. And we
know the situation not only with Jody Allen telling the Blazers,
but potentially the Seahawks that also could be a factor
in all of this as well. But it certainly seems,
based on what Adam Silver is saying, that we will
have some sort of resolution one way or the other.
And I would say that for all the people who
(05:49):
feel burned by the NBA in the last eighteen years,
this may be the final chance for the NBA to
resolve this. I think Adam Silver wants a legacy piece
here and he wants to finalize the return of the
Sonics to Seattle, and this is something that he has wanted,
but not all the NBA owners have wanted, and that's
(06:11):
why it has been tough to push it across the
finish line or the end line, if we want to
use the basketball metaphor.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
How much did this one or two year delay that
you spoke of saying that we're kind of back at
twenty twenty four again, how much did it cost the
Seattle ownership group in franchise valuation inflation?
Speaker 8 (06:28):
And does it potentially scare off some suitors.
Speaker 6 (06:32):
Yes, I mean if you look at the Blazers going
for four billion, the Celtics going for six, the Lakers
going for ten, that raises the valuation of any sort
of expansion franchise. And I also look at the changing
the changing marketplace for regional sports networks and how that
is all rapidly changing. These owners are looking for other
(06:55):
ways to find some revenue and also as they launch
a europe only that is likely going to be announced
here in the first half of this year, and the
startup costs involved in all of that. I think the
NBA looks at that as an absolute cash cow and
a way to maximize their sports networks. And they're broadcasting
(07:16):
and digital deals by having interest in Europe and having
different deals in Europe, that is part of this whole
metric as well as they try to figure out expansion.
They likely need the expansion costs at this point to
help with falling TV revenues on a local level and
also the startup of a European league, which they so
(07:37):
desperately want.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
It appears at least Adam Silver does right well.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Chris Dangels come on News with us talking about everything
Adam sober set over the weekend, says there will be
a decision on expansion at some point in twenty six.
So for those that are sick and tired to wait
and the weight is almost over one way or the other. Chris,
you just tweeted out that the Washington State Senate just
to prove to bill to we eight a millionaire's tax
(08:01):
nine point nine percent above everything over a million dollars
still needs House and Governor's approval. There's going to be
legal challenges all that that could take years obviously with
this thing. But I think from a sports perspective, the
question is one thing that we've always said on this
radio station is hey, there's no income tax in Washington State.
Right you're an athlete making a gajillion dollars a year,
(08:23):
you come here, you save a little money compared to
a place like California. We won't be able to say
that anymore if this thing actually passes. How much of
a negative tangible impact do you think this could actually
have on professional athletes coming to our state If it
does pass, I think it.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
Is a talking point, no doubt.
Speaker 6 (08:44):
The idea that you would lose potentially ten percent of
your income you know, it's.
Speaker 5 (08:48):
Been an advantage for Washington State. It's an advantage definitely
for the Vegas booth nights down in Nevada.
Speaker 6 (08:54):
It's definitely been an advantage for the Florida hockey teams
in recruiting free agents to go to those places. There's still,
I think a lot of this story yet to be written.
When we consider that Canadian teams have been dealing with
this for years and players who will make their permanent
residence in the United States to avoid paying the higher
(09:17):
Canadian taxes. There's still the question of whether this is
legal under the Washington State constitution. That's likely going to
be the legal challenge here, given that just two years
ago there was an initiative to ban income taxes in
Washington State that the legislature approved after the signatures were
collected in Washington State.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
So I think there's still a story to be written here.
Speaker 6 (09:40):
But yes, the immediate aftermath is there's still going to
be changes on the House side. The governor has not
officially signed off on all of this, although he has
showed his support, and then there will be a legal challenge,
so we'll see how this drags out. But I think
there's still a lot to be written on that particular
story of.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
A New England.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Right, Well, this is not really a sport. It's question,
but hey, what the hell you're here? You think they
stop at a million dollars by the way.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
On the income tax? Yeah, the nine point nine percent.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
Well, I think that's what the opposition has said, is
that this just opens the door for a state wide
income tax for everybody, right, and they won't stop at
the nine point nine percent for just high earners.
Speaker 7 (10:25):
Is the general perception. I feel the general perception of
the league of the NBA is it's in a bad spot.
And yet I see ratings are the highest in eight years,
the playoff ratings relies in fifteen years, the valuations keep
rising at astronomical levels. So is the NBA really in
a bad spot as the narrative suggests.
Speaker 5 (10:49):
Well, I think it's it's depending on how you want
to look at it, right.
Speaker 6 (10:52):
I think there's a lot of discussion over the weekend
about the NBA All Star Game, and there are some
empty seats down in Los Angeles, and therefore it's not
working anymore. They should cancel the event. And then you
see the ratings for the best they've been in years.
I think avam Silver does have issues involving tanking and gambling,
and how gambling could impact the sport, and whether the
(11:16):
NBA needs to do more in working with the companies
that promote this on your apps in some states where
it's legal to do that. I think those are existential
challenges for the NBA, as well as just the changing
marketplace of TV and digital rights.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
Well, let me ask you this, Chris before you go.
I got one more so.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
I think I've asked you this question before, and I
think I may have asked you this question like every
year for the last two or three years. If I'm
going to schedule some vacation time over the summer, when
should I be in town, When should I plan on
being on the air and available in case an announcement
does come down that we're getting a basketball team back.
Speaker 6 (11:55):
Well, I think July is the earliest that it would
potentially happen, with the Board of Governors meeting down in
Las Vegas, although we've seen the NBA operate differently before
with different committees and you know that could be part
of this whole equation, and an ownership committee to study
expansion and another meeting there but I think the earliest
(12:17):
you're talking about any sort of vote would be July,
and more likely towards the fall, before the start of
the next NBA season in September.
Speaker 7 (12:26):
So finally from me, Chris, we appreciate you joining us.
So it looks like March they'll decide yes or no
on expansion. We'll get that, and then July they'll decide
on who is going to expand And will it come
out on I mean, will this be a Sham's bomb
that we'll read on Twitter? Will this be all under
you know, closed door until Adam Silver takes you know,
takes to the podium.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
How do you think it all plays out?
Speaker 6 (12:50):
Yeah, there could be a Palm's bomb in there somewhere.
But I think that Adam Silver, it has worked long
enough on this issue, you know again, starting in twenty twenty.
He suggested that here we are six years later, that
he wants to make this a big deal if in
fact they do move forward. I would also point out
that one of the things he said on Saturday was
(13:12):
that may not be a two team expansion, doesn't necessarily
have to be a two team expansion. Maybe there's a
scenario where it's won right, and Seattle's in a better
position to do that than Las Vegas right now. Was
still arena issues to be worked out there. We know
the NBA is interested in Vegas, but potentially this is
something that they stagger out knowing that Seattle is ready
(13:34):
and that Vegas may still be a couple of years out.
Speaker 4 (13:37):
I lied, I got one more.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
When they do meet and talk about this, Christian again,
Chris Daniels COMO TV with us. You know there's been
some owners, including the guy that owns the Knicks, that
we know are kind of against this. I mean he's
been public, Dolan has in his criticism and doesn't really
want to see this happen. So we know there's at
least one guy that's against it. If they do vote
on this in July, I mean, do you feel like
(14:00):
this is a foregone conclusion the NBA will say yes
to us.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
I don't think Silver moves forward unless he thinks he
has the support to do this. It's part of the
old David Stern playbook. You don't necessarily want to leave
a meeting with a key vote without close to an
unanimous decision. We all know what happened with the vote
back in two thousand and eight and there are only
two no votes. It was a little bit closer in
(14:27):
twenty thirteen with the King's decision, but Silver doesn't want
to move forward and then have egg on his face
with ownership not approving this. So I think that if
they get to a point where he says in March
we're opening up for an expansion process, that they're going
to move forward with this and likely have a vote
by September at the latest.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Gotcha, that's great news then, right.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
I mean, if they say we're going to vote on this,
then we can all maybe start to get in position
at least to make it happen. So all right, buddy, Hey,
keep up the great work and we'll talk soon.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Man, Thank you, Thanks Chris, you bet christianiels with us
on the air.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
I mean, I guess that really is kind of my
feeling as well as his Dick, that if they go
to vote on this, I can't imagine them voting to
say no. Although they did vote to keep the Kings
in Sacramento. Right when Chris Hansen wanted to buy him
and move them to Seattle, they said no to him.
Weren't they in Dallas or something like that? When they
had to vote down there or whatever. I remember video
(15:23):
coming out of Dallas. I said, no push from Kevin
Johnson on the other side. Well, of course there's going
to be pushed on the other side. The guy's the
mayor of Sacramento. I mean there was push from our
idiot mayor too, and he couldn't get the job done.
If they're not going to a vote unless they're ready
to say yes, because this is a scenario where they
would then literally have to say I'm sorry, we voted
(15:46):
and we said no a second time in the last
fifteen year, fourteen years whatever it was twenty twelve right
to Seattle when he bought the Sacramento Kings. And I'm
just telling you right now, I think it's going to pass.
I think they're going to vote for expansion. But if
they I'm back and they say no, I'm kind.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
Of out at that point.
Speaker 8 (16:03):
Yeah, no, I'm kind of out. I think that's fair,
and I think I think we're going to find out
in March.
Speaker 7 (16:08):
I mean, if they if they go forward, great, if
they go forward to this mark, yeah, the I think
the icing on the cake is July.
Speaker 8 (16:17):
The cake itself is March.
Speaker 7 (16:19):
If we come out if there's a Sham's bomb next
month that says the NBA has decided to go forward
with expansion, that's the cake, with.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
The vote for expansion or the expansion conversation whatever.
Speaker 7 (16:31):
Correct, I mean, that's that's the cake itself. Man, We're
we are down the road now. I agree with that,
and I agree with what Chris just said. I I
would be pretty surprised because that would be if Chris
is right Jackson, that this is a legacy deal for
Adam Silver, he would then think of that as a failure. Oh,
that he let this thing go to the owners and
they told him to take a hike, right.
Speaker 9 (16:52):
I I'm just saying, like, I don't want to count
any chickens before they I agree with that. And yes,
the elements of these owners are all absolutely out for themselves,
and I'll have various motivations that we don't even know,
and you never know if something pops up in two
months that could sway somebody one way or another. I'm
just not I'm not going to and listen to I've
(17:13):
been on your side for most of this thing, but
we are so close now that the difference for me
of celebrating in March. For celebrating in July is nothing.
So I'm gonna celebrate anything.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I think that's fair if they want, if they want
Seattle to stay on board with the NBA, my recommendation
to them is, if you're not going to say yes,
then don't even bother going to a vote. Yes, just
tell us in March, Jack, we're not doing it right
because you're going to piss off a lot of people.
But you'll piss off more people by going to a
vote in July and having some you know nit wit
you know, came out of a conference room and say sorry, yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
But you're not saying that.
Speaker 8 (17:48):
People would be pissed off if they decided to go
to a vote in March, right.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
No, I think they'd be pissed off if they said
no to a vote or they said no during the vote.
If the answer is no, Seattle's going to give a big,
fat and middle finger to baskets in the NBA. And
by the way, I know what I would do if
I were an owner, I'd say no, I'd move a
team here, That's what I would do.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
He did say.
Speaker 9 (18:12):
Adams Silver also said that that relocation.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Is not on the table today today, but if it
comes down to expansion or moving a team, I'm moving
a team. There's too many teams around the league that
can't draw squat and fans don't care like New Orleans
by it. But those teams are still making money. Handle
making way more money though, way more money. And Jackson,
(18:34):
I understand what Adam Silver just said. I'm just sharing
my opinion. If I'm an owner, That's what I'm saying.
I'm saying, Adam, why are we voting to split up
this pie two more pieces when there's three rotten pieces
to begin with that need a new Because you're not
getting the check in your well, that's part of it.
Speaker 7 (18:52):
You're not if you go expansion, you're getting a three
hundred and fifty million dollar check handed to you.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
You're not getting if you're.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Much of my losing by splitting up the pie, though,
that's what nobody knows. I don't know the numbers, Dick,
Nobody knows the numbers. And if I'm an owner, that's
what I'm voting for. Whatever makes me more money is
what I'm voting for. This is why I'm scared. I
don't want to chickens until July. If expansion makes me
more money, then let's expand. If keeping it the way
it is and then moving a team to Seattle and
(19:21):
keeping that pie slice makes me more money, that I'm
voting for that, I don't know, man, I just see
so many freaking teams around the NBA that are struggling,
and I would be really hesitant if I were an
NBA owner to do this before I've looked at all
relocation options as well. Portlands want them to and you know, look,
I hear people say things like and I don't want
(19:41):
to do it another time.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
What was screw that.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
With that?
Speaker 3 (19:45):
If that's the only way I'm getting a team, I'm sorry,
I'm breaking a five year old kid's heart.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Call me immoral, call me a hypocrite. I don't give
a crap.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
This is all about what's best for us, not about
what's best for somebody else's town or fan.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
That's it.
Speaker 7 (20:00):
But indeed these teams are making even the worst teams
are making eight percent are the valuation is eight percent
more the next year than it was this year, even
the worst of the worst.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Well, then it's got to be about just again that
piece of the pie not being worth it, right, It's
it's worth it. To cut it up one more slice. Again,
whatever makes them money is what they'll vote for. And
if this makes them money, then they'll do it.
Speaker 5 (20:26):
Right.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
But I just again, I don't know if the NBA really.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Cares about the fans feelings in Seattle and their legacy
in Seattle. Look, I mean, Chris, maybe right that Adam
Silver has got, you know, some kind of personal legacy
that he really, you know, wants to bring the NBA
back to Seattle. But I think in the end, the
legacy of every commissioner is told by how much money
he puts in the owner's pockets because that's who he
(20:52):
works for. That's that's their boss.
Speaker 5 (20:55):
Right.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
So Jackson, I'm with you.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
I think either way we're gonna know before the next
Seayawks season starts. Yes, all right, that's what this spring
and summer is going to.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Be all about.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
So again, tell me when I got to be here,
tell me what I tell me what Dick and I
can't tak you already know you're gonna be gone for
it like you already. No, Well, I should leave tomorrow
and tomorrow we're gonna break our bellvy Rick coins Golden
moment from the weekend and then Kevin Martinez, president of
business operations for the Mariners, Lots to talk about with him,
including how we're gonna watch him this year next on
(21:29):
ninety three three kJ RFN
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