University of Washington grad, billionaire and Seattle arena investor David Bonderman met with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Friday for the first time.
Bonderman, flanked by Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, met with Durkan for more than a half hour at Seattle City Hall.
Bonderman has been invited by the National Hockey League, along with film producer Jerry Bruckheimer, to apply for an NHL franchise that would begin play in Seattle in 2020.
That announcement last week came a day after Durkan signed a deal with OVG to build a new arena at Seattle Center.
OVG Seattle Head Lance Lopes, New Arena Director of Operations Steve Mattson and OVG Director of Business Development Francesca Bodie also joined Bonderman at city hall.
It’s unclear what exactly was discussed during the meeting Friday, although both sides indicated it was about next steps in the $660 million project and Bonderman’s financial commitment to it. The minority owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics is an equity investor in the project.
Durkan said late Friday, about the meeting, "We discussed our shared interest in ensuring a smooth application process to the NHL to bring a team here by 2020. And I told Tim to get back to work on bringing the NBA here to Seattle."
Bonderman also met with at least one city councilmember Friday.
