Category: Sports

Seahawks playoff game prompts wager between Seattle and Minneapolis mayors

Mayor Ed Murray and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges entered into a friendly wager ahead of Sunday’s first-round playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings. The game will be played in Minneapolis.

“The Seahawks won big in Minnesota back in December – I can see the Hawks winning there again by an even wider margin now that Marshawn Lynch is back, healthy, and playing,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “The Hawks are experienced NFL champions, while the Vikings have never won an NFL title in their five decades of existence. With a win on Sunday, the Hawks take the first step in returning to a third straight Super Bowl.”

“The Seahawks are really great, what with their brutal loss in last years’ Super Bowl and all. And yes, they beat us this year when we were missing our three best defensive players,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “But I get the feeling they might just come in to TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday and fall flat on their faces because Teddy Bridgewater and our dominating defense are clearly ready for revenge. Plus we’ve got the true 12th man, the cold.”

If the Minnesota Vikings defeat the Seahawks, Mayor Murray will send fresh salmon from Pike Place Fish Market, coffee from Starbucks, and baked goods from King Donuts in Rainier Beach to Minneapolis. If the Seahawks win, Mayor Hodges will send beer from Indeed Brewing Company, a “North” stocking hat and mittens from Askov Finlayson, dates from the Karmel Mall, and a Prince t-shirt.

Sunday’s playoff game is a re-match between the two teams. In their December meeting, the Seahawks defeated the Vikings in Minnesota by a score of 38-7.

Murray statement on arena EIS

Today, Mayor Ed Murray issued the following statement after the Seattle Department of Planning and Development issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a new arena in SODO:

“The SODO arena project has just passed another major milestone. The City has met its commitment to complete the EIS process. No major findings stand in the way of arena construction. The City will continue to work with arena developers, the Stadium District and SODO interests on the impacts that were identified during the EIS process. The City can now begin looking ahead to the street vacation and other pieces necessary to move this project forward.

We’re one step closer to bringing NHL hockey and NBA basketball to Seattle.”

Murray salutes Seahawks’ phenomenal season

After a hard-fought Super Bowl, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray saluted the Seahawks’ inspiring season.

“The Seahawks are a class act. While tonight’s outcome was heartbreaking, the team played with tremendous heart and guts to the very end. They never quit. Even when others were ready to count them out, whether early in the season or during their playoff run, the Hawks and the 12s always believed. All of Seattle is proud of everything they accomplished this year and I know we’ll be back next year.”

Seattle, Providence, RI mayors ink Super Bowl bet

While the big day doesn’t arrive until Sunday, the mayoral smack talk has begun.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Providence, RI Mayor Jorge O. Elorza have agreed to terms in the Super Bowl XLIX showdown between the Seahawks and the Patriots.

“Seattle is a lock to win the Super Bowl,” said Murray. “Seahawks fans are pumped up. The 12s will not be denied.”

Murray reached out to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh with a friendly wager, but apparently Walsh has lost two game-related bets as mayor, while Murray has never lost one. Both mayors are superstitious, and as an avid Patriots fan and season ticket holder, Walsh decided against a wager.

Seattle’s stakes with Providence include Northwest alder-smoked salmon from Pure Food Fish Market, whole bean coffees from the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market and a giant bag of Skittles.

Elorza is offering up a basket of Providence’s favorite local brands, including Olneyville New York System hot wiener sauce spice mix, sweet bread from El Quetzal Bakery, Trinity Brew House IPA, and music by Deer Tick and the Low Anthem.

Mayor Murray and Mayor Elorza met and agreed to wager on the game at the recent U.S. Conference of Mayors gathering in Washington, D.C.

Murray will be attending the Super Bowl with his husband.

Mayor Murray raises the 12th Man flag at City Hall

Mayor Murray was joined by Councilmember Jean Godden and several enthusiastic Seahawks fans and City employees at Seattle City Hall today to raise the 12th Man flag on the public plaza. Murray predicted a big Super Bowl win for the Hawks thanks to the hard work and dedication of the team, coach Pete Carroll, and a notoriously loud contingent of fans that will do their best to be heard all the way to Arizona on Sunday! #gohawks!