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Report: Prospective NHL owner reaches 'non-binding agreement' with Seattle arena developer

Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports

The NHL's long-rumored interest in the Pacific Northwest appears to be gaining some traction. 

Chris Daniels of KING 5 News reports Vancouver-based real estate mogul Victor J. Coleman has reached an agreement with Chris Hansen regarding potential NHL team ownership. Hansen, a billionaire whose goal is to bring NBA basketball back to Seattle, brokered a deal with the city in 2012 to begin construction on a multi-sport arena complex.

Here's a excerpt from Daniels' report: 

Two sources with knowledge of the talks between Hansen and Coleman say that the two potential owners met in person a couple of weeks ago, and have been actively talking for months. In fact, according to the sources, the two potential ownership groups have signed a “non-binding” agreement which lays out the terms for Coleman’s contribution to the project and his potential revenue streams for a hockey franchise.

Daniels adds that Coleman had previously pitched his idea to both the city and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman without success, but has made significant strides toward attaining his goal in the time since.

“We have a clear path,” he said in a phone interview. 

Coleman spoke of the impact his hometown could have on Seattle thriving as an NHL market.

"I think the demographic base [in Seattle] and the desire of the NHL in that marketplace is the perfect match right now. The expansion of the NHL into the Pacific Northwest, with Vancouver and the presiding area, makes it a perfect fit."

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