AEG Inks Seattle Partnership

AEG Facilities and the city of Seattle have formed a partnership to provide management and other services to KeyArena for a one-year term with an option for a six-year extension, the parties announced Oct. 27.

Under the deal, AEG Facilities will provide a range of venue support services, including management of sponsorship, advertising and premium seating sales and event-day operation, that were previously provided by the Seattle SuperSonics basketball franchise.

General building operations and event bookings will continue to be handled by the Seattle Center, the 74-acre recreational center that surrounds the 46-year-old building.

AEG will also help the city book the arena, which lost the Sonics in July as its primary tenant, with sports, family shows and other special events and original programming.

“The goal of our partnership is to enhance KeyArena operations and help ensure that the venue continues as a vibrant center for entertainment,” AEG Facilities COO Bob Newman said in a statement.

The 17,000-seat arena continues to serve as the home of the WNBA Seattle Storm and Seattle University’s men’s basketball team.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.