Sure, You Can Build That Arena Out Back at Our Place, Say Muckleshoots

After paying for a financial feasibility study, the Muckleshoot tribe announced today that they'd be willing to donate land for an NBA arena down there in Auburn.

The land is more or less here:

The Muckleshoots' study indicated that people who attend Sonics games are no less likely to go to the games if they are in Auburn than if they are at Key Arena, and there's a certain logic there.

As for us, we spent nine years living in New York City and consequently don't even like driving as far south as Safeco, let alone Auburn. We'd be as likely to go to a Blazers game as an Auburn Sonics affair. Still--for the hardcores, Auburn is better than OKC.

Don't hold out too much hope, though.

Muckleshoot spokesman Rollin Fatland said the study and letter including the tribe's offer of free use of the land was sent to Bennett on Saturday and to Gregoire's office Monday morning. Bennett already responded by e-mail, offering his thanks and an indication he would get back to the group.