Seahawks Persuaded to Leave Practice Facility in Anaheim

The Seattle Seahawks, who have set up training headquarters in Anaheim, agreed Thursday to return to their regular practice camp in Kirkland, Wash., by April 1.

The NFL, which opposes the Seahawks’ relocation, also said it will meet with club executives next week to discuss a possible state-of-the art football stadium for Seattle.

The Seahawks were scheduled to meet NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue today in New York. But because of Thursday’s agreement, the meeting was canceled.

Cortez Kennedy, Seattle’s star defensive tackle, had filed a grievance against the team’s decision to force Seahawks players to work out in Anaheim.

The Seahawks have threatened to break the final year of their lease at the Kingdome, citing structural flaws with the building.

Tagliabue has said the league plans to do all it can to help the Seahawks obtain a new home in Seattle.

Seahawk owner Ken Behring agreed with the NFL’s position that moving the workouts back to Kirkland would aid the team’s efforts to get a new stadium.

Behring said the team must now concentrate on two goals.

“First, proceeding with and winning the litigation in the State of Washington that will confirm the termination of our contract with King County regarding use of the Seattle Kingdome,” he said. “And second, preparing our football team for the start of the 1996 season.”