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MARKET <br />ANALYSIS <br />Thunderbirds is relatively stable at <br />approximately 6,000. Because of territorial <br />rights restrictions, however, it is unlikely that a <br />WHL franchise would be allowed to operate in <br />Everett as long as the Key Arena hosts a <br />franchise. <br />National Professional Soccer League <br />The National Professional Soccer <br />League is in the process of executing an <br />expansion strategy. The league is currently <br />examining Connecticut and Boston as potential <br />new markets. New teams in Chicago and <br />Reading (PA) will play in 10,000 and 9,000 seat <br />venues, respectively. Average league attendance <br />is 6,000; Philadelphia draws 9,000 per game, <br />most of the league averages 5,000 or better, and <br />4-5 teams average more than 7,000. The smallest <br />current venue is Harrisburg (PA) at 7,200 seats' <br />the largest is Montreal at 21,000. The current <br />expansion fee is $500,000, and operating budgets <br />are between $1.4 million and $2.2 million. <br />Owners range from single individuals to groups <br />of I0-12 investors. <br />Arena Football League <br />The Arena Football League is one of the <br />more stable second -tier professional sports <br />leagues, and is attractive due to its spring <br />summer indoor schedule. Most franchises play in <br />large indoor venues, and, while a number of <br />teams have regional marketing strategies that <br />include non -city specific team names (Florida, <br />Arizona), these teams still play in large <br />professional indoor sports venues (National Car <br />Rental Arena, America West Arena). The league <br />has expanded by three teams for the current <br />season (Buffalo, Houston, Grand Rapids). The <br />smallest venues in the league are Iowa (1 1,400 <br />seats) and Grand Rapids (10,800 seats). <br />Continental Basketball Association <br />The CBA offers attendance and revenue <br />potential and likely franchise availability. <br />However, the league's stability and future is <br />questionable with the departure of league owner <br />Isaiah Thomas. If the NBA decides to purchase <br />the league, the CBA may once again be a very <br />attractive league for a franchise anchor tenant. <br />The CBA is home to ten teams, of which, the <br />Yakima Sun Kings offers the closest <br />geographical proximity to Everett. According to <br />CBA officials, the league is very interested in <br />expansion in the Upper Northwest. <br />Other Professional Sports <br />Other professional sports leagues such <br />as the USBL and indoor roller hockey offer <br />potential professional sports team opportunities <br />for Everett. However, these leagues are <br />considered to be of a third -tier variety. As such, <br />they are characterized by low attendance, small <br />budgets, and capricious franchise owners and <br />league administrations. Therefore, home venues <br />are likely to realize minimal revenues from these <br />tenants. Also, franchises tend to rise, fall and <br />move in a manner that is outside the control or <br />influence of the team's home facility. <br />• <br />National Basketball Association <br />Seattle Supersonics exhibition games <br />are coordinated and promoted by the Supersonics <br />organization, and are an irregular addition to the <br />annual event schedule. Game scheduling is at the <br />discretion of the Supersonics, and the arena <br />would be held captive by the Supersonics control <br />Brailsford & Dunlavey/Ellerbe Becket <br />Page 17 <br />