In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talk the NBA, basketball, and empowering young people through sports. Chris sits down for an extended interview with "Rise Above!" founder Jaci McCormack on her journey from the reservation to the NCAA level, and now starting a philanthropic endeavor that has captured the attention of former Seattle Supersonics and young people across the country.

Niko also shares his recent conversation with Yakima-born NBA player MarJon Beauchamp, who was in town to help with a "Rise Above" sports fest, and how he is feeling as he enters 'Year 3' in the league. Plus, you'll hear about the recent LPGA event at Sahalee and why it matters for drawing future events from Seattle Sports Commission President Beth Knox.

As usual, Niko and Chris also go around the "Four Corners" talking about the best and worst in the NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS and more.

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In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian span the NBA, NHL, and NCAA. Chris talks in depth with Seattle Supersonics Legend Lenny Wilkens on his friendship with the late Bill Walton and Jerry West, and why he continues to raise money for the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic. The Basketball Hall of Famer also talks about the return of the Sonics to Seattle.

Niko also shares part of his recent conversation with Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis on why the success of the franchise's top affiliate in Coachella Valley bodes well for the future, and Chris goes deep on his talk with UW President Ana Mari Cauce about the financial strain of the Husky Stadium renovation and how that factored into a move to the Big Ten Conference.

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In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talk about the comments from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in recent days about NBA expansion, the process, and Seattle. Niko also gets reaction from Supersonics legend, and Hall of Famer Gary Payton, to Silver's comments.

Niko and Chris also sit down for an extended interview with interim Washington State University Athletic Director Anne McCoy to discuss how the school is navigating a post Pac-12 world, the finances, and how it is trying to secure TV and digital rights deals for the next school year.

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It is the inaugural edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian take you inside key sports and business issues in the greater Seattle area, ranging from the impact of TV/Digital rights, lease agreements, off-field debates, NIL, realignment, the World Cup, and the return of the Sonics. 

In this episode, Niko and Chris talk about the timing of a Sonics return to Seattle, with former Sonic The 'X-Man' Xavier McDaniel and explain why the Seattle Kraken made a move to linear television and on the bench. The two also discuss the planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what Seattle leaders are discussing when it comes to traffic and security.

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KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian take you inside key sports and business issues in the greater Seattle area, ranging from the impact of TV/Digital rights, lease agreements, off-field debates, NIL, realignment, the World Cup, and the return of the Sonics.

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