Holloway Just Made The NBA Move That Changes Everything For Seattle
Hold up. Kraken owner Samantha Holloway just bought a majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena, and she did it right before the NBA could announce an expansion process. This is not a coincidence, and Seattle fans should be paying attention.
On Monday, Holloway announced the formation of One Roof Sports and Entertainment, basically an umbrella organization that consolidates her control over the Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, the One Roof Foundation, Kraken Community Iceplex, Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL, and Acrisure Arena in the Palm Springs area. The goal is straightforward: give her greater financial control over the arena while maintaining a partnership with the Oak View Group, which will continue operating the facility.
Why This Matters Right Now
The timing here is crystal clear. This announcement comes 48 hours before the NBA could formally announce an expansion process. That is not a coincidence. Holloway is positioning herself and Seattle to make a serious push for an NBA team, and owning the arena outright gives her the kind of control you need to make that happen.
"We're committed to this community, and this parent brand brings together everything we've done, from a privately financed arena to the Seattle Kraken," Holloway said in a statement. "Increasing our ownership in Climate Pledge Arena allows us to consolidate operations and sets us up for future opportunities."
Climate Pledge Arena opened in 2021 after a massive $1.2 billion redevelopment of the old KeyArena. It is now home to the Kraken, Storm, and Torrent. The building has already hosted NCAA championship events and three NBA exhibition games, proving it is league-ready and positioned as a major basketball venue. Developers have even held a spot for a future NBA locker room in the arena, currently being used for storage.
Seattle Has The Goods The NBA Wants
Here is why this is huge: Seattle already has the history, fan base, and infrastructure the NBA looks for. The SuperSonics played here from 1967 until 2008, when the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. In the settlement that followed, Seattle preserved the right to the Sonics' name, colors, history, and memorabilia for any future NBA team. The banners, trophies, and retired jerseys are currently under lock and key at the Museum of History and Industry, waiting.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in December that Seattle and Las Vegas are the markets most clearly in the mix. In February, he said the NBA cleared key hurdles by finalizing its collective bargaining agreement and national media deals. Silver has also made it crystal clear that relocation is not on the table. Seattle's path back is through expansion.
Silver expects the league to make expansion decisions in 2026. He would need a vote from 23 of the NBA's 30 governors to make it happen. After years of false starts, this moment feels different. And Holloway just made sure Seattle is ready.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.