When he and his brothers bought the Spokane Indians in 1985 – sale price: $137,000 – Bobby Brett “figured we’d get bored with it after a couple of years” and sell.

Now, professional baseball in Spokane has completed 25 seasons under Brett ownership; the hockey team, 20. He has turned his two Spokane franchises into model operations of their kind. Nearly 9 million spectators have taken in Brett productions here, including events like the Memorial Cup, NHL exhibition games, the Northwest League All-Star Game and the USISL Premier League finals.

His latest project: junior hockey’s first outdoor game, to be played Jan. 15 at Avista Stadium. On the eve of the Chiefs’ home opener Saturday, here’s a look back – and ahead – with Spokane’s managing partner.

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