Another coronavirus-induced delay in arena construction that was to be expected.
*Le Sigh*
This time it is in Seattle, where work on a new sports venue that was to replace KeyArena was slated to be done sometime in the summer of next season, but has been delayed because of the pandemic.
Because of this, it will likely have an effect on where the Storm play in 2021. The team was scheduled to return to the new venue for the 2021 season, but will almost certainly compete in its home games in an alternative site, according to the Seattle Times.
Last season, the Storm split its home schedule between Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett and Alaska Airlines Arena on the University of Washington’s campus.
The Storm extended its lease agreement with the city through the 2028 season. Part of the agreement included that $100,000 would be paid to the Storm by the City of Seattle for every season the team was displaced from the arena formerly known as “The Key.”
That arena is also slated to host Seattle’s NHL team. The much-ballyhooed announcement of that team name has also been delayed.
