No guarantee of pro sports at arena

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - The hype of a Virginia Beach arena came hand in hand with what Beach Mayor Will Sessoms was a guarantee of a professional sports team.

After a formal presentation by Comcast-Spectacor to the City of Virginia Beach City Council Tuesday, the company says it has not spoken to any professional sports teams.

Sessoms told WAVY.com last week the company would "guarantee us a professional team in Hampton Roads."

However, Comcast-Spectacor's CEO Peter Luukko told WAVY.com there is no team and there are no discussions in place.

"Let me make this clear. We are in no discussions with any teams. Let me be very clear, this is preliminary,"  Luukko said.

In a follow-up with Sessoms, WAVY.com brought up what Luukko said.

"I have been assured, and I hope they made it clear to you. They will guarantee us a professional sports team," Sessoms said. "I think it was made pretty clear, they were going to bring a professional sports team to Virginia Beach."

WAVY.com asked Luukko if the deal would be dead without a professional sports team.

"I don't know that," Luukko replied.

According to Tim Kelley with the Meridian Group, the 18-month process to bring the arena project has cost the Virginia Beach Development Authority $640,000 in studies and marketing out of an allotted $900,000. Kelley says taxpayer money was not used.