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CP2064159194 — CORRECTS FROM KNUTSON TO KNUTSEN- Fans of the defunct Seattle SuperSonics team, from right, Andrew Wergeland-Rammage, Kenneth Knutsen and Kris "Sonics Guy" Brannon look on during testimony before the Seattle City Council Monday, May 2, 2016, in Seattle. The council was expected to vote on Monday on whether to vacate a stretch of road where an investor hopes to eventually build an arena that could house an NBA and NHL team. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Seattle mayor decries sexist attacks to sports arena vote

May 5, 2016 07:05:06

Seattle’s mayor and an investor have condemned sports fans’ sexist attacks against the mostly female City Council after its vote sidetracked a proposed arena project aimed at luring back the NBA.

All five women on the nine-member council voted against selling a street to investor Chris Hansen, complicating his plan to build an arena in a Seattle neighbourhood and bring back the SuperSonics. The four men backed the proposal.

Many attacked the councilwomen on social media and through emails, leading Hansen and Mayor Ed Murray to speak out this week.

Hansen says the “misogynistic insults, vile comments and threats” to the councilwomen must stop.

He wants to lure the NBA team back to Seattle after it left for Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season and was renamed the Thunder.

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