Officials from Comcast-Spectacor were in Virginia Beach today to propose bringing a pro sports team, possibly the Sacramento Kings, to the resort city.
Could a professional sports team finally call Virginia Beach home?
Mayor Will Sessoms sure hopes so.
Officials say it would be an 18,500 seat arena, 750,000 sq ft. They say this will be an opportunity for year-round entertainment, ACC events and other sports.
City presenters are considering our area to also include Richmond.
Councilman Bill DeSteph raised questions about financing and stated that he did not want taxpayers to foot the bill.
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"I'm just excited about the thought of having a professional sports team in Hampton Roads. I think our market is starving for something like that."
Mayor Sessoms and the rest of city council listened to a proposal from the private company, Comcast-Spectacor, to form a partnership and build an 18,000 seat arena across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
"Comcast will guarantee a pro sports team coming to our area if we should come to terms of building an arena."
There has been plenty of speculation that the Sacramento Kings have been looking for a new home after negotiations to build an arena there fell apart. But the mayor says he doesn't know what team Comcast has in mind for the beach - or even if it would be an NBA team, or an NHL team.
Sacramento Kings may move to Virginia Beach; City Council to hear arena proposal
10 Fortune 500 companies ready to become corporate partners
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Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) August 28, 2012
Presenter from city: arena could provide year-round concerts and entertainment that are currently going elsewhere
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Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) August 28, 2012
Has potential to attract people from Virginia beach and Richmond, over 3 million residents
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Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) August 28, 2012
Proposed arena would be 18,500 seat arena, 750,000 sq ft
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Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) August 28, 2012
30 minutes into presentation and still no word on what team would come here.
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Mike Mather (@mikemather) August 28, 2012
Exec says private revenues will meet the loan payments on the facility. The city would have to do the borrowing.
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Mike Mather (@mikemather) August 28, 2012
City presenters are considering our "area" to include Richmond.
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Mike Mather (@mikemather) August 28, 2012
DeSteph asking if Navy been asked about height restrictions
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Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) August 28, 2012
Councilman Bill DeSteph: Have you talked to the Navy about height restrictions?
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Mike Mather (@mikemather) August 28, 2012
Councilman Bob Dyer: Get the Navy on board.
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Mike Mather (@mikemather) August 28, 2012
Councilman Bill DeSteph raising questions about financing, doesn't want tax payers covering
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Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) August 28, 2012
