Forbes Magazine recently named Seattle as the "Most Miserable Sports City in America." As KPLU's Kevin Kniestedt prepares to leave Seattle and move across the country, he asked Sports Commentator Art Thiel if it really is that bad of a sports town, and what he might be missing after he leaves.
The Bad
It seems that every year for the Seattle Mariners is a "rebuilding year." Art Thiel jokes that after Kevin leaves, the M's will be in year 75 of 100 in their rebuilding plan. Despite some young talent, Art thinks that a World Series caliber team is not on the horizon.
Art says that location is still the biggest problem for Seattle sports teams. In Charlotte, where Kevin is moving, players are in close proximity to other major sports cities and have to do less traveling, making teams in those locations more appealing. In Seattle, players spend more time traveling than any other team in the country. In order to get more high profile veterans, Seattle teams typically have to pay more to get them.
The Good
Thiel says that one of the thinks Kevin will be missing out on is one of the best football teams Seattle has seen in a long time. The Seahawks are poised to make a run deep into the playoffs this year, and all home games are already sold out.
Additionally, Art says that soccer fans are very excited about the Sounders signing Clint Dempsey, the best American player out there. The opportunity to have a player of this level on a MLS team is something no other club has seen since the LA Galaxy signed David Beckham.
Art also told Kevin that he will be missing out on the newly renovated Husky Stadium, which has not only been converted into a much more intimidating venue for visiting teams, but will also have a better football team on the field this year.
The Unknown
Art says that the biggest question that remains in Seattle sports is the construction of a new arena and the potential arrival of a NBA and/or NHL team. Despite the money and time investor Chris Hansen put in to making any of that a reality, Thiel says that Kevin could have grandkids living in Seattle that may not have a professional basketball or hockey team.
