November 17, 2006
SEATTLE - The Professional Basketball Club, LLC (PBC) has selected the highly regarded
ICON Venue Group (ICON) of Denver and its President and CEO Tim Romani to guide the extensive analysis, planning and development process to build a world-class multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in the greater Seattle area. ICON will represent PBC using its extensive experience and resources to develop a viable venue business and site design plan.
ICON’s responsibilities will include financial modeling and feasibility analysis, project planning and organization, site analysis and selection as well as venue programming and concept design.
“Without question, we have selected the very best in the world for this complex and challenging project,” said Clayton I. Bennett, Chairman and Managing General Partner of PBC. “ICON and Tim Romani have the global credentials to provide us with the expert advice we need to advance a realistic project of the scale and scope we envision for the greater Seattle area. The company’s impressive track record includes many of the premier sports and entertainment venues built in the past few years. Tim is the best and I have every reason to believe we will develop an exciting concept and viable public and private economic proposal.”
ICON is a joint venture between the Romani Group, one of the industry’s top firms in the development of sports, convention and medical facilities and AEG, one of the leading sports and live entertainment presenters in the world. Currently, they are engaged in project management for stadium and arena projects in cities worldwide including London, Berlin, Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, Salt Lake City, Ontario, and Newark, with total project budgets exceeding $3 billion.
The group’s projects include some of the most significant sports and entertainment facilities anywhere, including INVESCO Field at Mile High and Pepsi Center in Denver, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and Comiskey Park in Chicago. Currently, ICON is overseeing the development of Newark Arena, Sprint Center in Kansas City, The O2 arena in London and O2 World arena in Berlin.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity,” commented Romani. “The Seattle area is one of only a few world-class communities without a 21st century sports and entertainment arena. We are optimistic, when this project has been fully defined, citizens throughout the Pacific Northwest will clearly see the economic, cultural and community value it will create for many decades to come.”
Beginning its work immediately, ICON and PBC plan to announce selection of an architectural firm in the next couple of weeks. Site review continues with an expected site selection around the start of the New Year.
“The selection of ICON takes this process to a whole new level. Their experience and expertise will expedite this opportunity. We could not be more pleased to add this important, respected and proven partner to our team,” Bennett said.
