In 2040, when Nikola Jokić is having his Dirk Nowitzki moment with the Nuggets, the team will still play in Denver. Same with the Avalanche, maybe with Gabriel Landeskog behind the bench.
Denver's city government and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns Denver's professional hockey and basketball franchises, announced a commitment -- the deal is still unsigned -- Thursday that will keep both teams in the city for the next two decades.
"We're looking forward to a long-standing relationship with KSE, our winning teams and the leagues," Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement. "With both the Avalanche and the Nuggets tearing it up in the playoffs, we're galvanizing the support of our city and our fans for the teams we love."
The contract ensures both teams will stay at the Pepsi Center arena. The current arena deal was set to expire in 2023.
The deal has been in the works for at least five years, a spokesperson for the administration told Denverite.
"They've been here for decades and I'm pleased to know they want to be here for decades to come," said City Attorney Kristen Bronson, who forged the deal.
The contract is not yet available, Bronson said via email, because the document is not finalized.
