
VIRGINIA BEACH
Aaaron Applegate
August 24, 2012
A proposal to build an 18,000-seat arena near the Oceanfront has revived hopes that the region finally might snag a major league professional sports team - possibly the NBA's Sacramento Kings, some sources said. But even supporters caution that loads of details, including how to pay for the venue, remain to be worked out.
An executive from one of the businesses pitching the idea, Comcast-Spectacor, will make a public presentation to the City Council on Tuesday, Mayor Will Sessoms said. Comcast-Spectacor owns the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, home of the Flyers and the Philadelphia 76ers NBA team.
Sessoms said Comcast-Spectacor has guaranteed that if an arena deal goes through, the company would bring a major pro team - basketball or hockey - to town. The site for an arena would be across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center on 19th Street.
Sources with knowledge of the discussions said the Kings are a likely tenant.