“To be able to partner and work with NHL Seattle on the ultimate goal to bring an NHL franchise to Seattle is truly exciting,” said Donny Stevenson, Vice Chairman of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Council. KeyArena, home to the still nameless NHL Seattle team, is undergoing a $930 million renovation slated for completion in mid-2021.
Signage advertising Muckleshoot Casino’s expanded gaming and resort amenities will soon grace KeyArena, currently undergoing a massive $930 million renovation, the home of the NHL Seattle team.
The relationship will promote Muckleshoot Casino’s growing gaming floor and its forthcoming 18-story, 400-room hotel tower forecasted to open in 2021. The Auburn, Washington-based casino has additionally been named sponsor of all power plays during hockey games. The completion date of the resort addition at Muckleshoot Casino is aligned with KeyArena’s planned reopening in mid-2021. Muckleshoot Casino will also garner a luxury suite at the Oak View Group (OVG)-operated arena.
Tribal, casino and NHL representatives gathered yesterday at KeyArena for a traditional ceremony to bless the land, honor its Tribal heritage, and celebrate the partnership.
“It is a good day to come here with a good heart to represent not only my people but all Indigenous people of our region,” said Donny Stevenson, Vice Chairman of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Council. “To be able to partner and work with NHL Seattle on the ultimate goal to bring an NHL franchise to Seattle is truly exciting.”
Conrad Granito, General Manager of Muckleshoot Casino, estimates the partnership will increase traffic at the resort by 10-20 percent.
“I think the partnership is one where you see a lot of Tribes and gaming entities have partnerships either directly with teams or directly with leagues. So, I think that tie-in just becomes a natural as we move forward with this. So clearly, with the NHL, our relationship just helps solidify that, and our position within the sports-betting network that we project is going to be here in Washington,’’ Granito said.
The arrangement may prove to expand the NHL, which is reported to be acquiring a new sports betting channel. While sports betting is not yet permitted in the state, lawmakers are working to draft gambling legislation, joining a wave of states across the country looking to leverage sports gambling to generate more revenue.
The Muckleshoot Tribe itself — not its casino arm — will also announce a partnership with the Seattle Seahawks next week, according to a report from the Seattle Times.
Snoqualmie Casino inked the first sponsorship agreement with the Seattle Seahawks, permitting use of the team’s logo for promotions. The Snoqualmie Casino and the Seattle Seahawks partnership marked the seventh of its kind in the country, though first with the Seahawks. Snoqualmie Casino had been a Seahawks sponsor and suite holder since its opening in 2008, so the new sponsorship agreement opens doors to more opportunities.
