WWE at 'impasse' with Denver Nuggets

DENVER - One side is calling it a "scheduling debacle," but both sides agree you can't play a playoff basketball game and have a live wrestling event at the same time and the same place.

World Wrestling Entertainment is scheduled to have a live broadcast of WWE Monday Night Raw in Denver on Monday, May 25 at the Pepsi Center at 7 p.m.

The problem is that it's the same night the Denver Nuggets are set to have their Game 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Western Conference Finals.

The WWE released a statement on Monday saying their live broadcast is in danger of being cancelled by the Nuggets and say the two sides are "currently at an impasse in resolving a scheduling debacle by the team and the Pepsi Center."

The WWE has held the May 25 date with the Pepsi Center since Aug. 15, 2008.

"Even though the Denver Nuggets had a strong team this year and were projected to make the playoffs, obviously Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke did not have enough faith in his own team to hold the May 25 date for a potential playoff game," said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman says the organization has already sold more than 10,000 tickets for the event. He says the organization expects a sellout, with tickets ranging from $20 to $70.

In an interview with 9NEWS, McMahon continued his attack on Kroenke.

"Apparently Stan Kroenke did not have enough faith in his team to think they were going to make the playoffs. Otherwise, why would he have given us the date, allowed us to sell tickets and put us in this debacle," McMahon said. "It's inept management at its best."

McMahon even held up a Lakers cap and jersey, telling Kroenke it was for the owner of the Nuggets. He offered to go toe-to-toe with Kroenke, "but if he'd like to settle this in any other way, I'd absolutely love it.

Without a quick resolution, McMahon plans to send his trucks to Denver.

"That's what we intend to do," he said. "We're going to show up."

A spokesperson for the Denver Coliseum says that venue was offered to the WWE who declined to use it. The Denver Coliseum has a capacity of around 10,000 people.

The Pepsi Center capacity is more than 19,000.

Paul Andrews, executive vice president of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, released a statement on the matter on Monday night: "Due to the unpredictability of the NBA playoff schedule, a scheduling conflict has arisen at Pepsi Center on May 25. We are working with the WWE to resolve the situation amicably."

Zimmerman said the Pepsi Center confirmed in March with the WWE that the organization wanted to keep the May 25 date, and sent a contract on April 15 - the final night of the regular season - which WWE signed and returned. Tickets went on sale April 11.

The conflict didn't arise until Sunday, when the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. Had the Rockets won, Denver would have had home-court advantage in the next round, hosting Games 1 and 2 and putting the May 25 game in Houston.

As of Monday afternoon, the schedule on the Pepsi Center's Web site listed WWE for 6:30 p.m. local time and Western Conference finals Game 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the wrestling event could still be purchased online.

McMahon said he couldn't guess how much he would make from the show, but that canceling wasn't easy because of how much is involved in moving his equipment, plus filling its obligated time slot on USA Network. Litigation is likely - but he plans to be putting on a card.

"When you do have a date, you plan everything around it," he said, adding, "We may be holding an event in a parking lot somewhere."

This is the first time the Nuggets have made it to the Western Conference Finals since 1985. The first game is set for Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

If you have tickets to the WWE event, we want to hear from you. Please e-mail 9NEWS Reporter Kyle Clark at kyle.clark@9news.com.