Allen Issues Warning To Skeptical Lawmakers

Prospective Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen warned skeptical lawmakers Wednesday that he will drop his bid to buy the team if they fail to ask voters to authorize a new football stadium.

In a sternly worded letter to a lawmaker, Allen defended the $425 million financing plan that has stalled in the House due to opposition to a proposed tax on licensed sporting goods. He urged lawmakers to send the bill to the ballot in time for voters to decide the issue by July 1, the date his option to buy the team from California developer Ken Behring expires.

Some lawmakers and lobbyists have privately wondered whether Allen would really walk away from a deal that already has cost him more than $30 million.

Allen’s response:

“I believe there may be some misunderstanding regarding my intentions should this measure fail in the House of Representatives:

“I will not exercise my option to buy the team. I will not ask for an extension on the option to purchase the team. I will not ask Gov. Locke to call a special session of the Legislature. I will not ask the governor to develop another plan.

“Most importantly, with its vote on the floor, the House of Representatives will have had the final say on the fate of this proposal.”