Kirsten Kendrick

"It's only going to get worse."

Those are the words of KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel regarding traffic in Seattle's SoDo district.

Members of the King County Council this week echoed concerns raised by the Mariners, the Port of Seattle and many SoDo businesses that a third arena in the area would create huge traffic nightmares. Not that there aren't any of those already.

Members of the King County Council this week raised concerns about a proposed new arena in Seattle's SoDo district. Among the concerns is increased traffic - the same reason the Mariners, Port of Seattle and many SoDo businesses have come out against the idea of building third arena in the area.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel shares his insight on this issue tomorrow morning at 5:35 and 7:35 on 88.5 KPLU. Check back here for a blog of our conversation.

It's payback time. That's what a lot of Seattle Sounders FC fans are saying about Saturday's matchup with the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field.

It's the first time they will be able to voice their opposition to Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan's vicious tackle last season of one of the Sounders' best players, Steve Zakuani. The hit left Zakuani with a broken leg as well as muscle and nerve damage from which he's still recovering.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says Sounders fans have a right to be angry and a right to voice that anger on Saturday - but he warns against going too far.

A controversial sports figure comes to Seattle Saturday. Colorado Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan will appear before Sounders fans for the first time since breaking the leg of popular midfielder Steve Zakuani last season.

They were the top two players on the University of Washington basketball team this season. They weren't able to get the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament, but sophomore Terrence Ross and freshman Tony Wroten are nonetheless leaving UW to enter the NBA draft.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says only one of them is ready.

They were certainly stars this season. But is that enough? Freshman Tony Wroten and sophomore Terrence Ross both announced this week that they're leaving the University of Washington to enter the NBA draft.

Find out what KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel thinks about their decision tomorrow morning at 5:35 and 7:35 on 88.5 KPLU. Check back here for a blog of our conversation.

The Mariners return from Japan Friday with one win and one loss under their belt, following the two-game series with the A's in Tokyo that kicked off their 2012 season.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says, overall, the trip was a success. He spent the week with the team in Japan.

Seahawks fans like what they're hearing about new quarterback Matt Flynn. Team leaders touted his skills and leadership ability this week.

While the Seahawks welcome an important new player, a veteran player for the Mariners is preparing for a huge homecoming in Japan. 

Fan excitement is building for the Seahawks new quarterback Matt Flynn. Will he really have to compete for the job of starter?

It's up in the air who will be the starting quarterback for the Seahawks next season. The Hawks are said to still be searching for their next star. Will they find him in the free agent pool?

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel breaks down the moves the Seahawks have made so far, and what might be in their future.

With the signing of defensive end Red Bryant to a new, five-year contract this week, the Seahawks now have their two best free agent players locked up. Bryant's deal comes on the heels of star running back Marshawn Lynch signing a new contract with the team. 

So, what's next for the Seahawks in the offseason, now that it appears they're out of the running for quarterback Peyton Manning?

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel likes the idea of Peyton Manning coming to Seattle. He says the team and the city have a lot to offer him. And it goes without saying what he can offer the team - as long as he stays healthy.

Seattle will be one of the teams trying to land Peyton Manning, a team source confirmed to the Seattle Times on Wednesday.

The Seahawks interest had been reported earlier by Peter King of Sports Illustrated, and the NFL Network said the Seahawks were preparing to reach out to Manning as soon as he was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, the Times wrote.

"A strange episode of normalcy."

That's how KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel describes what caused the injury to Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. It happened during a routine throw at spring training.

Gutierrez is out for at least a month - maybe longer - with a partially torn pectoral muscle. Art says it's just the latest piece of negative news for the Mariners, as the team begins its 2012 exhibition season Friday.

The Mariners start exhibition play Friday. But they'll do it without starting center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. He's out for at least a month with a partial tear of his pectoral muscle.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel talks about what this means for the start of the Mariners season, coming up tomorrow morning at 5:35 and 7:35 on 88.5 KPLU. Check back here for a blog of our conversation.