If one can win a press conference, then Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine are clearly one up right now. Nine months of preparation paid off in a very genuine, polished and professional message from an unexpected tandem ready to jump ball.

In further conversation this morning with multiple sources close to the situation, it is clear that some of the sharpest, shrewdest and most accomplished officials have been hired to continue this process. Christopher Hansen may be a novice to the political scene, but he has surrounded himself both privately and publicly with a team that should be able to handle the local politics. The challenge is now clearly twofold.

1. Nothing has changed from what I wrote 10 days ago

"First and foremost, according to my source, the possibility of the NBA returning back to Seattle is connected almost completely to Sacramento. There should be no false aspirations about Milwaukee or Memphis or New Orleans; the relocation plot is centered around the Sacramento Kings and their deadline looming March 1 for a new arena proposal."

In essence, the game plan and playbook are sound (the proposed term sheet) and the fundamentals are in place, now the market conditions and timing in Sacramento must fall into place to move this game along. Many are speculating that Hansen's group wouldn't be this aggressive unless they know what the fallout in Sacramento will be, the thought being that behind the scenes Hansen has much more of the Sacramento story than the rest of us. Let's hope he does.

In order for basketball to be played next year in Seattle, Sacramento must fail. Further, in order for sledgehammers to break ground, franchise(s) must be secured. McGinn and Constantine made it very clear that their end of the game plan is getting the Seattle politics and house in order. Hansen's more difficult game plan is securing the professional franchises to move to town, which leads to the next major step in the process.

2. $500 million of private investment is the stated goal

Realistically, with the cost of doing business in Seattle and the acquisition of one or more franchises, the number will more than likely end up $100 million or $200 million more than that. Thus, I found the following paragraph in Hansen's letter to the mayor and executive maybe the most enlightening:

"As you are reviewing the Arena Project proposal and determining the path forward, I intend to broaden the owner/partners involved in this effort, reaching out to local partners and to those who share my commitment to operating the arena and sports franchises in a way reflective of Seattle and King County values."

Two sources I talked with continued to mention the names Ballmer, Stanton, McCaw – the major players in town with the type of checkbook that can absorb a $100 million investment without blinking. It is one thing for the NBA Board of Governors to review and dig into the financials of a Bay Area-based hedge fund; it is another if that hedge fund has the partnership of the most powerful local partners.

I think we have all learned over the last 48 hours that Christopher Hansen and the government officials are seriously committed to building an arena and bringing in the NHL and NBA. Now, will the timing and local power-brokers work in such a way to deliver the ultimate prize?

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