‘This feels like very bad news’: Jake questions Seattle’s NBA expansion chances after Ferguson’s latest meeting with Adam Silver

Gov. Bob Ferguson met virtually with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Nov. 5 to discuss bringing the Seattle SuperSonics back through league expansion. Ferguson’s office requested the meeting, their third this year, as Seattle’s chances of receiving a franchise remain uncertain.

The outreach left KIRO host Jake Skorheim less optimistic during “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, and co-host Spike O’Neill questioned whether another conversation reflected concern about Seattle’s position.

“I think it’s a sign of desperation, maybe,” Spike said. “Because the meeting was at the request of the governor.”

“Three months ago, I was fairly positive on the team coming back to Washington,” Jake said. “This to me feels like very bad news.”

Governor’s outreach comes ahead of expansion decision

Ferguson’s office described the meeting as a positive conversation and reiterated his commitment to bringing the Sonics back. Silver has said the league expects to decide whether to expand by the end of the year.

“The fact that you’ve got to call and remind the NBA commissioner that Seattle wants basketball, likes, loves basketball,” Spike said.

The NBA’s Board of Governors voted in March to open expansion talks with Seattle and Las Vegas. Opening those talks did not guarantee either city a team.

Jake focused on the competition among prospective ownership groups.

“You have multiple people or groups in Vegas who are saying, ‘Yes, we want to spend billions of dollars to bring a franchise here,'” Jake said. “NBA wants the most money they can possibly get. It makes sense.”

Arena access enters the ownership discussion

The prospective Seattle-area bids include playing at Climate Pledge Arena and a separate proposal involving a new arena on the Tulalip reservation.

The hosts discussed One Roof Sports & Entertainment’s relationship with the Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena, questioning how access to an existing venue affects competing bids.

“On its face, that seems like, great, we have this beautiful arena,” Spike said. “But the problem is, since One Roof owns that arena, they’ve got quite an economic advantage over other bidders.”

A prospective ownership group’s arena arrangements are separate from the NBA’s decision to award a franchise. The interview did not establish the terms under which another bidder could use Climate Pledge Arena.

“There was a story a while back about another group looking at maybe bidding for the NBA expansion,” Spike said. “But they would have to build their own arena, and that makes me wonder: how much are you willing to spend to make it a profitable venture?”

Jake and Spike question the strength of competing bids

The league’s expansion discussions include Seattle and Las Vegas, but no franchise award was announced as part of Ferguson’s meeting.

“This is all about money,” Spike said. “The One Roof advantage, the One Roof, we own our own facility; it could be a detriment because it scares away other competitors.”

“Competition’s a good thing,” Jake said.

“That’s why Vegas is a lock because they have three different groups trying to bid,” Spike responded.

Jake ended by questioning how far a Seattle ownership group would be willing to go financially.

“It comes down to the group and One Roof. How much are you willing to go?” Jake said. “Without competition, do you want it or not? It’s a lot of money.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3