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Seattle reaches deal for NBA and NHL team at KeyArena

Seattle

At the very least, they’re preparing for the possibility that an NHL team may accompany the return of the NBA to Seattle.

Today, the City of Seattle announced it had reached an agreement with prospective NBA owner Chris Hansen to play basketball games at KeyArena starting next season while a new arena is being built.

But also inserted into the press release was this: “An additional $750,000 would be paid to the City annually if a National Hockey League team is brought to KeyArena.”

If Hansen is successful in buying and moving the NBA’s Sacramento Kings — still a big if at this point — Seattle would become a serious NHL relocation/expansion candidate.

While Hansen isn’t interested in owning a hockey team in Seattle, others have said they are.

The Phoenix Coyotes, still owned by the NHL, are the most obvious -- and perhaps only -- candidates for relocation.

According to Wikipedia, KeyArena holds 15,177 for hockey.

Related: Here’s what hockey could look like in Seattle