Bigwigs Gather At Hotel To Plot Saving Hawks

Business executives from major Northwest companies heard the inside story Tuesday from King County leaders trying to keep the Seahawks in Seattle.

“Our objective was to let these business leaders know the down and dirty of what is going on,” said former Seahawks co-owner John Nordstrom, who called the meeting Monday morning and persuaded 25 executives and others to gather at the Sheraton Seattle hotel less than 48 hours later.

“We think the Seahawks are going to end up playing football in Seattle in the future,” said Nordstrom, cochairman of Nordstrom, Inc.

Other top-ranking participants included Phil Condit, president of the Boeing Co., SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerley, Mariners chairman John Ellis, publisher Frank Blethen of the Seattle Times and publisher J.D. Alexander of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

All major banks were represented, said Nordstrom, though he did not give names. King County Councilman Peter von Reichbauer would not comment on whether Microsoft Corp. people were there.

Microsoft co-chairman Paul Allen has expressed interest in buying the Seahawks, although owner Ken Behring has said he intends to go forward with plans to move the franchise to Southern California.

King County Executive Gary Locke said he told the business leaders that a partnership of business, community and team owners would be needed if the team is sold.

“We talked about ways they would have to be involved,” Locke said after the 45-minute meeting.

King County Councilman Peter von Reichbauer said “a wide range of figures” about the Kingdome was discussed. The cost of Kingdome renovations has been an issue in ownership talks.

Nordstrom said he and the two county officials did not sell any season tickets or luxury boxes, or ask the leaders to take any action.