Let’s not get it twisted –KeyArena is the Seattle Storm’s house.
There may have been two NBA teams that recently had an exhibition at the Key, but the Key has been graced with three WNBA championships from the Storm.
Two of the Storm’s notables in three-time WNBA champion Sue Bird and WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart were in attendance at the Key for an exhibition NBA tilt between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.
👏👏👏 The CHAMPS are here! @S10Bird & @breannastewart welcomed back to Seattle during @warriors–@sacramentokings #NBAPreseason action! pic.twitter.com/nwRxBkxXOz
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 6, 2018
🏆 From one champion to another 🏆@KDTrey5 congratulates the @SeattleStorm on winning the #WNBA Championship! pic.twitter.com/Te8CJ9u3fE
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 6, 2018
The Sacramento Kings-Golden State Warriors exhibition contest at KeyArena was a much-ballyhooed occasion in Seattle, given it was the return of Kevin Durant to the Emerald City since being drafted 10 years ago by the Sonics.
Seattle legends!
Back at KeyArena for the first time since the @seattlestorm #WNBAChamps parade, @S10Bird chats with @HoopHall of Famer Lenny Wilkens.@warriors–@SacramentoKings #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/StiQRYDmaD
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 6, 2018
It also reminded some that the Sacramento Kings, a few years ago, were nearly bought by a Bay Area hedge fund manager named Chris Hansen, who wanted to move the Kings to Seattle and build a new arena in Seattle’s SoDo district. That proposed 2013 move was, of course, stopped by David Stern and the NBA.
Even more fitting – the Warriors and Kings played on the Storm’s home court in what will likely be the final sporting event at KeyArena before it is demolished and a new arena takes its place.
The NHL’s executive committee recently gave conditional approval for expansion to Seattle, putting the city one step closer to hosting its 32nd franchise. A final vote by its board of governors is expected in early December, which would also commence the start of the renovations.
The Storm inked a lease with the city of Seattle play at the new arena through 2028. Next season, the majority of Storm home games will occur at Alaska Airlines Arena on the campus of the University of Washington.
