As a lifelong hockey player, our latest case has been a major passion project of mine - in addition to a valuable resource on sustainability in buildings development. Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena: Ticket to a Greener Future explores the ambitious redevelopment of the historic Seattle Coliseum, one of America’s oldest sports arenas, originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Transformed from KeyArena, the former home of the Seattle SuperSonics, into the world’s first net-zero certified sports and entertainment venue, Climate Pledge Arena now hosts the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. This project exemplifies what it takes to build a sustainable large-scale venue—both in construction and ongoing operations—that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Led by the Oak View Group (OVG), a global venue development company led by CEO Tim Leiweke, Climate Pledge Arena showcases sustainability in action. It runs entirely on electricity powered by renewables, thanks to Seattle City Light's 85% hydro-powered grid. It operates seamlessly a zero-waste system, and has implemented numerous innovations like rain-to-rink water recycling and electric Zambonis to bolster clean daily operations. It has scrutinized its supply chain down to the candy wrappers and french fry baskets that fans purchase at events.

Since its reopening, Climate Pledge Arena has helped reestablish Seattle as a destination for major entertainment acts and large-scale sporting events—while echoing the spirit of the city’s iconic grunge culture that gave rise to bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. For touring artists with net-zero commitments, including Coldplay and Billie Eilish, performing at Climate Pledge offers a rare chance to deliver a show with no added carbon footprint. The building earned ILFI Zero Carbon certification and preserved its iconic 44-million-pound roof—a national landmark dating back to the 1962 World’s Fair.

This case is a highlight reel for how visionary business leaders can embed sustainability into large-scale infrastructure, setting the tone for future development and cultivating a new understanding at the intersection of climate action, sports, and entertainment.