Washington state lawmakers start discussing potential new Sonics arena

Wednesday, January 17th 2007, 6:21 am

By: News On 6

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) _ Washington state lawmakers have opened discussions on public financing for sports stadiums, which could be a prelude to potential state help for building a new basketball arena for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics.

The House Finance Committee held the first meeting of the session on the topic Tuesday.

The work session was primarily educational, with committee staff discussing economic impact studies done before the construction of baseball and football stadiums in Seattle.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett, an Oklahoma City businessman, has not yet disclosed details about building a new arena in the Seattle suburbs.

Bennett has said the Sonics and the Seattle Storm WNBA team cannot continue to play in their current KeyArena home in Seattle.

Bennett spokesman Jim Kneeland has said January 18th is the targeted announcement date for the preferred arena site and the financial framework.