Council Oks Allen's Purchase Of Seahawks

Paul Allen's Football Northwest could take over operation of the Seattle Seahawks as soon as next week, following authorization yesterday by the Metropolitan King County Council.

By a 9-3 vote, the council approved a letter of intent, to be signed by county Executive Ron Sims, to implement Referendum 48, which was approved by voters June 17, according to Chris Vance, council budget committee chairman. The council also agreed to authorize special taxes to help pay for a new $425 million stadium and for demolition of the Kingdome.

Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, is awaiting certification of the vote before exercising his option to pay about $200 million to purchase the National Football League franchise from Ken Behring.

A seven-member Public Stadium Authority will be created in the next month to oversee the stadium project.

Its board members will be chosen by Gov. Gary Locke. They are expected to contract with Football Northwest to build and operate the stadium and exhibition hall.