Seattle Storm ownership group awarded 'Business of the Year'

Seattle Storm’s ownership group, Force 10 Hoops L.L.C., was awarded Business of the Year from the King County Municipal League at a ceremony Wednesday, March 25.

The Business of the Year award honors a business that has made the most outstanding contribution to the community.

The Municipal League awardees were nominated by the public, evaluated by the league's Civic Awards Committee and approved by the league's trustees. The league created the Civic Awards in 1960 to honor a diverse array of community leadership.

This year's ceremony took place at the Seattle Art Museum, where co-owner Dawn Trudeau accepted the award. Co-owner Anne Levinson was also present to accept the award.

“We are honored to receive the Municipal League’s Civic Award for Business of the Year,” Trudeau said. “When we purchased the team last year, our goal was to secure the Storm’s future in Seattle for our fans and the community, and we have been amazed by the outpouring of support we have received. It is especially gratifying to receive this award in 2009, which not only marks the Storm’s 10th anniversary season in Seattle, but also coincides with the 50th year of the Municipal League’s Civic Awards.”

Seattle Storm moved into their new headquarters March 9 in the Interbay Neighborhood where they are leasing 12,055 square feet in the Interbay building from developers the Freehold Group. Owners have said the new space will give them flexibility and is a great location within close proximity of Key Arena, where the team plays its home games.