NBA Oklahoma City Bolts, I like it a LOT!!!

[purple and white uniforms with a yellow bolt]!!!!!!! :congrats:


I like the Bolts idea, but i'm not sure i would be to thrilled with the color selection, i'm not really into the whole purple thing. I really like the name Oklahoma City Surge though.... the uniforms could be electric blue and white.

That's taken by OCU as well as Dallas' NHL team. And it's lame.


I still like Oklahoma City Outlaws.


That's right, I forgot about OCU. Nevermind.

I like Hot Rod's signature line for a name "Oklahoma City Renaissance" but maybe not a good sports team name.

Eww, I do not like BOLTS.

I just picture this, and that's not good.

http://www.aptfast.com/Images_Parts/Fasteners/ARP-Rod/BEB-RV60.jpg

HAHA...I almost posted the very same thing.

I can hear the announcers now...

"Oklahoma City is nuts for the Bolts!"

Oklahoma City Jets:)

Stuckey’s stock rising
FRANK HUGHES; The News Tribune Published: June 28th, 2007 01:00 AM

NEW YORK – If the Seattle SuperSonics are able to get a second lottery pick in today’s NBA draft, it appears they are targeting Eastern Washington guard Rodney Stuckey.
The Sonics have offered point guard Luke Ridnour to Atlanta for the Hawks’ No. 11 pick, and if that deal goes through it would allow the Sonics to begin reshaping a backcourt that was at times dysfunctional and ineffective last season.

Stuckey has strong indications from the Detroit Pistons that they will select him with the 15th pick.

However, the Sonics recently hired Scott Perry, Detroit’s former director of player personnel, as an assistant general manager, and Perry was one of the reasons that the Pistons are so enamored with the combo guard.

With Perry advising Sonics general manager Sam Presti, it looks as though the Sonics have their eye on the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Stuckey.

Interestingly, the Sonics, who also own the second pick in the draft, originally invited Texas A&M guard Acie Law in for a workout. Law accepted the invitation because he said he was told that the Sonics were trying to move up in the draft. Law then canceled his workout.

So the only other top 15 player besides Greg Oden and Kevin Durant that the Sonics brought in for a workout was Stuckey, who has the versatility to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions, something Presti this week said was an important attribute.

A league source said there is a good chance the Hawks will agree to the trade, though they are waiting to see the outcome of trade talks with Minnesota and Phoenix that might net them Suns center Amare Stoudemire.

In those talks, the Wolves would send Kevin Garnett to Phoenix, the Hawks would get Stoudemire and the Wolves would get Atlanta’s two lottery picks (No.3 and No. 11). If that deal is consummated, the trade with Seattle would be scuttled.

But if Minnesota trades Garnett in a deal not involving Atlanta, the Hawks are likely to take Seattle’s offer of Ridnour, who is in the last few days of a contract that pays him $2.5 million. After July 1, his salary will be $6.5 million, making it more difficult to trade him.

Early in the draft process, it was assumed that the Hawks were going to select Ohio State guard Mike Conley with the third choice. But it now appears they are intent on selecting Florida forward Al Horford, leaving them in need of a point guard.

Meanwhile, two league sources said the Sonics are calling around the league to gauge interest in guard Ray Allen.

KJR-AM radio reported that the Sonics offered Allen to the Boston Celtics for the fifth pick and Theo Ratliff.

Meanwhile, there also is added intrigue involving who the Portland Trail Blazers will select as the top pick.

A month ago, it was a foregone conclusion that Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard would take Ohio State center Greg Oden, leaving Kevin Durant for the Sonics at No. 2.

However, there are divergent opinions in the Blazers’ front office about which player fits better, particularly after Oden had a poor workout and concerns about his durability were raised during a physical at the pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla.

Durant, meanwhile, had a workout that Pritchard said was the best he has ever seen, and his unique blend of size and athleticism is making Pritchard second-guess his initial inclination.

It still is most likely that the Blazers will take Oden because legitimate 7-foot centers with Oden’s skill are so rare, but Durant’s prowess is at least giving them pause.

Twelve of the top players met with the media at a hotel in Times Square on Wednesday afternoon, and during the interview session Durant actually said he thought Oden should go No. 1.

“You can see why he is going to be the No. 1 pick,” Durant said. “I can’t argue that. I think he is one of the best centers ever to come out of college. He jumps so high and runs so fast, I have never seen that in a center before. That is something that is going to separate him.”

The rest of the league members are attempting to figure out what exactly they are going to do.

Boston is having a multitude of conversations regarding the fifth pick, and there is a good chance the Celtics may trade it away. Milwaukee is reportedly having discussions with Portland about swapping the sixth pick for Joel Pryzbilla. Minnesota, which has the seventh pick, is attempting to completely revamp its roster, which could mean that the seventh pick is available for the right offer. And Phoenix invited a number of lottery picks in for late workouts, fueling speculation that the Suns are attempting to get into the top 10.

Former University of Washington center Spencer Hawes had a workout with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, his second with them. If Hawes slips past the Wolves at No. 7, there is a good chance that Hawes will be taken by the Bulls, who have the ninth pick and need low-post scoring.

“I think the teams that I worked out for … I think they all would be a good fit,” Hawes said. “But I think Chicago would be an especially good fit for me.”

Tribe hires consultant

The Muckleshoot Tribe announced that it had hired a consultant, Washington, D.C.-based Brailsford & Dunlavey, to study the feasibility of building an arena for the Sonics on property they control near Emerald Downs racetrack.

Its official:

Kevin Durant to the Oklahoma City (errr, uhh... Seattle) Supersonics!!! Also Jeff Green at #5!!!!


a one-two punch!!!

:welcome55

Oden goes first, to Portland.

Durant-Durant!!! Hungry like the wolf!!!

Check this out, SEATTLESUPERSELLOUTS (http://www.seattlesupersellouts.com/)

I thought that was sooooo funny! :kicking:

Guys, I occasionally view the forums here in Seattle regarding the Sonics. It strongly appears as tho people here (including fans) are becoming more and more convinced that the Sonics are leaving for OKC.

I always see some sort of desparate attempts to either downplay or riddicule OKC to make themselves feel better OR pleas to Seattle people to write to officials. While we have some great OKC people joining the forums and correcting some of the bs that some Seattle people have said/thought about OKC (which is probably why they now see OKC as viable for the NBA more and more) ...

It got me thinking, "why don't OKC people also lobby the powers to be?" Hey, if Seattle people can write David Stern about keeping the Sonics, why couldn't OKC people write him to say "We deserve a team. Let it be the Sonics or Hornets or somebody."

I think we should do what we can to "counter" what is being done against us. Surely OKC is somewhat in the driver's seat, being that Clay is from OKC and very prominent, BUT I think we should not just 'sit back' while a vocal minority from Seattle appears to be a somewhat concensus of opinion.

OKC should also have a voice and should say that we deserve a team, and in all likelyhood - it should be the Sonics.

I want OKC to have a voice! Be as competitive, that way the Commish or whoever can hear both sides and know that OKC people care and are just as enthusiastic regarding GETTING A TEAM.

Here is the address of the NBA Commissioner, David Stern; as was posted on a Seattle forum. I urge you all to send him a letter (or email if you can find the address) and I will post other "officials" that I see pop up on the Seattle forums - as I think we also need to be heard, and not just potentially used as a pawn!!!!!


Attention Commissioner Stern
NBA
Olympic Tower
645 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Oklahoma City was just mentioned in the NBA Draft by commentators.

I dont know his name, but __ fom ESPN just said "Oklahoma City did a wonderful job hosting the Hornets, who will return full time to New Orleans this year. NBA commissioner and brass went to OKC on the last game this year to thank them and to show their appreciation. They did a wonderful job, and will do just fine when the Sonics - as its expected that they will move there or some other team without a home due to arena situations."

Guys, this was not the first time OKC was mentioned - and I could sort of tell that SOMETHING IS BRUIN', especially when the Sonics were UP for their picks. There was NOBODY from the Org there (that they showed or talked about) and the commentators ONLY mentioned the organization by its formal title, Seattle or Seattle Supersonics or Sonics. They didn't really have as much commentary about the drafts "going to Seattle, or whatever" like they did for Portland, other than they made ONE comment about "Durant and Oden being 168 miles away in the Pac NW."

I think if the situation were SOLID and they were going to stay in Seattle then the commentary would have been more 'seattlecentric' (like it was for Oden where they were VERY portland-centric.

They ONLY said that the Sonics hit a home-run with Durant and Green and that they appear to be rebuilding/starting over. Then there were undertones tho not necessarily oratory about the location of the team. Then during the Hornet's first pic, the commentator finally could not hold back on commenting about OKC. His plug for OKC was EXCELLENT, very class and totally appropriate!

I honestly think OKC is in the driver's seat - something big is being held back. Apparently, the commentators were told to try to refrain from speaking negatively against Seattle but a few slip-ups did come through and it bodes very well for Oklahoma City.

I think OKC definitely will have a team in a year, most likely the Sonics but definitely some organization (just as the commentator basically said). Very good news.

Sonics silent on arena study (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/321482_arena28.html)

By GREG JOHNS
P-I REPORTER

The Muckleshoot Tribe has hired a Washington, D.C., firm to do a feasibility study on the potential of building a professional basketball arena on its Auburn property, but the move was met with public silence Wednesday from Sonics ownership.

Team spokesman Tom Savage said he could provide no response or statements from anyone in Sonics management on Wednesday, though majority owner Clay Bennett will be in town for Thursday's draft. Savage also declined to comment himself.

The Muckleshoots sent a letter on Wednesday morning to Ralph Morton, executive director of the Seattle Sports Commission, indicating its interest in "exploring options for the development of an events center" that could host the Sonics and Storm franchises.

The Muckleshoots' first official move in that effort was to hire Brailsford and Dunlavy, a facility planning company, to analyze the potential of placing a multipurpose arena on the tribe's land adjacent to Emerald Downs racetrack off state Route 167.

Tribe spokesman Rollin Fatland said the decision is just the next phase in the Muckleshoots' initial efforts to decide if such an undertaking is realistic.

"It's another step in that it brings in analytical firepower needed to look at market analysis, drive-time distance, financial feasibility, those sorts of things," Fatland said.

Whether Bennett has any interest in such a project is unclear. Bennett apparently hasn't spoken with the Muckleshoot group since an introductory meeting in February, but has maintained that he's open to alternative suggestions after his proposal for a multipurpose facility in Renton died in the Legislature.

Fatland said he didn't know if Bennett has had further communication with Muckleshoot representatives, but "when this information becomes available and the tribe decides if it's feasible, then a conversation would be appropriate."

Brailsford and Dunlavy has performed similar market studies for the Everett Events Center, the Seattle Center and the proposed Kent Events Center in this region.

Jason Thompson, the project manager for Brailsford and Dunlavy, said his company had just been hired and thus a time estimate was impossible, though the company's prior work in the region "allows us to boot up a little more quickly."

Bennett has said if an arena solution isn't firmly in place by Oct. 31, he will apply to the NBA for relocation at that time.

Morton met with the Muckleshoots earlier this month for the Seattle Sports Commission and said he's impressed by the group's businesslike approach.

"They've gone to an expert in the field to do due diligence to see if this is a viable opportunity for their site," Morton said. "They're trying to make an informed decision. And from our end, we're looking to exhaust all options to make sure we keep the team in the region. We're trying to assist everybody to see if there's a good option, whether it's the Muckleshoots or reconsidering KeyArena."

In the letter to Morton, Muckleshoot CEO Jerry Henke wrote: "While the Tribe's property immediately west of Emerald Downs appears to be an ideal candidate for siting an events center that could accommodate an NBA team, a more thorough analysis of the property attributes and related factors is needed before moving forward."

The Muckleshoots spent $73.6 million in 2002 to purchase a 185-acre parcel of land that already houses Emerald Downs and its accompanying parking lots. The plot under consideration for the arena is an undeveloped portion of the property located between state Route 167 and the track.

Henke said Brailsford and Dunlavy's study would include a market analysis comparing facilities in similar suburban markets. The study would also examine site construction and transportation issues, parking requirements and an estimated budget and schedule.

P-I reporter Greg Johns can be reached at 206-448-8314 or gregjohns@seattlepi.com.

Nothing to say.....

So the Muckelshoots are doing a study if an Arena in Auburn WA makes any sense. Big Deal.

Im sure the study will come back and say it doesn't make any sense, Auburn is even much worse than the Renton location.

Of the study areas: market analysis (peer suburban markets), site construction, transportation issues, parking requirements, estimated budget, estimated schedule.

I predict the following:

Market Analysis: B for Auburn. The wealth of the region is located 35 miles NE. Auburn is akin to say, Mustang; very far away, ok suburb but not too posh. It is also in the shadow of Mt. Rainier (North America's largest and most dangerous volcano), so there's problems associated with that. the S. King County region has about 500K + Tacoma's 700K, but its not very well connected.

site construction: B- for Auburn. I believe the Muckleshoot area is some sort of swamp or wetlands, there will be environmental issues to deal with. May need serious reinforcement due to potential liquification or mudflow == costly.

transportation: D for Auburn. The city is located on the commuter rail line, but I would HARDLY call "the Sounder" a truly utilized system as it is today. It's just basically exists so Seattle/Tacoma can say they have commuter rail. The route itself does not hit any populated areas as it is truly set up as a commuter line to/from downtowns of Seattle and Tacoma. Does not run to the lucrative Eastside wealth base, they'd still have to drive to Renton then hop on (might as well keep driving). There are two freeways that bisect there but both are ONLY 4 lanes (one has HOV as well) and both are already significantly taxed. Access from Tacoma is a little better but is still a huge chokepoint, even today.

parking requirements: A+ for Auburn. This is the ONLY area where Auburn beats OKC, Renton, or any other candidate for the team. There's plenty of land there since it is a far removed suburb in a non-downtown area. And because it's Indian land, ........ anything goes.

Estimated budget: B- for Auburn. I think the total budget might be iffy due to construction and transportation concerns. This is the problem with Puget Sound, things always cost so much here because of the way business happens here. There is a HUGE lack of accountability, especially on publicly funded projects in transportation, which would definitely need to be fixed for the site to be viable. (For example, we're getting a $2B 14-mile light rail line that is already $1.5B over budget. Nobody knows why nor cares to ask the qu, we just want to get it done already!). I'd say a $500M arena that would go in Renton would itself need a 30% margin, which would need probably a 20% margin in Auburn by comparison - a little better but that depends upon what the base cost would actually be in Auburn [might cost $600M as a base in Auburn??? and you'd need 20% on top of that to cover your bets].

Estimated Schedule: A for Auburn. This is probably another area where Auburn beats OKC or at least ties us, since the Sonics would be the principle tenant they control the scheduling. I'm not so sure the Sonics would get COMPLETE control over scheduling in OKC (probably will get first dabs unless the arena is already scheduled).

Let me add up the score: 3.0 + 2.7 + 1.0 + 4.0 + 2.8 + 3.7 = 2.8667 GPA

OKC, by comparison:

Market: B- (mainly due to primary tv market not as large and relatively smaller Metro area)

Site: A (since arena already exists, but upgrades needed to suite Bennett)

Transportation: B+ (no mass transit options but OKC has wonderful freeway access, and its downtown in the center of the region)

Parking: B- (since in a major city's downtown and people WILL have to drive, there might be some issues here. Games MUST be scheduled after CDB business hours.)

Budget: A (since arena is complete and no doubt the city will foot the bill for the upgrades to the Ford Center and the practice facility. Since Bennett already has his offices downtown, office space for the Sonics is a non-issue. there might be a lease issue along with other leasing of retail space [otherwise this would be an A+]).

Schedule: A (Im not too sure the city would grant the Sonics 'exclusive' control over scheduling at the Ford Center. Im sure they will get first dibs but if dates conflict, the Sonics may need to schedule around major annual OKC events. This probably would only be an issue for the first year or two tho).

Comparisons:
OKC: 2.8 + 3.7 + 3.3 + 2.7 + 3.7 + 3.7 = 3.3167 GPA
M C T P B S
KC: 3.0 + 4.0 + 3.3 + 2.0 + 3.0 + 3.0 = 3.0500 GPA
Vegas: 3.5 + 0.7 + 3.0 + 4.0 + 3.3 + 3.5 = 3.0000 GPA
Renton: 3.7 + 3.0 + 1.0 + 3.5 + 3.0 + 4.0 = 2.9667 GPA
Auburn: 3.0 + 2.7 + 1.0 + 4.0 + 2.8 + 3.7 = 2.8667 GPA
Seattle: 4.0 + 2.5 + 2.5 + 2.0 + 1.0 + 4.0 = 2.6667 GPA


As you can see, OKC isn't perfect but we score the best even though we ranked highest in only one category (budget)! The Sonics should definitely move away from Seattle since it scored the lowest, but not to Auburn - 2nd worst score of all locations.

Guys, I occasionally view the forums here in Seattle regarding the Sonics. It strongly appears as tho people here (including fans) are becoming more and more convinced that the Sonics are leaving for OKC.

I always see some sort of desparate attempts to either downplay or riddicule OKC to make themselves feel better OR pleas to Seattle people to write to officials. While we have some great OKC people joining the forums and correcting some of the bs that some Seattle people have said/thought about OKC (which is probably why they now see OKC as viable for the NBA more and more) ...

It got me thinking, "why don't OKC people also lobby the powers to be?" Hey, if Seattle people can write David Stern about keeping the Sonics, why couldn't OKC people write him to say "We deserve a team. Let it be the Sonics or Hornets or somebody."

I think we should do what we can to "counter" what is being done against us. Surely OKC is somewhat in the driver's seat, being that Clay is from OKC and very prominent, BUT I think we should not just 'sit back' while a vocal minority from Seattle appears to be a somewhat concensus of opinion.

OKC should also have a voice and should say that we deserve a team, and in all likelyhood - it should be the Sonics.

I want OKC to have a voice! Be as competitive, that way the Commish or whoever can hear both sides and know that OKC people care and are just as enthusiastic regarding GETTING A TEAM.

Here is the address of the NBA Commissioner, David Stern; as was posted on a Seattle forum. I urge you all to send him a letter (or email if you can find the address) and I will post other "officials" that I see pop up on the Seattle forums - as I think we also need to be heard, and not just potentially used as a pawn!!!!!

Re: Sheattle. Yeah I have seen your comments. At first that forum was going hill billy crazy/ grapes of wrath to white trash. Your comments seemed to calm and provide information to those nuts.

Here is the email links for the NBA. We need to be emailing and mailing the hell out of them to counter what the Seattle fans are trying to do.

Show your support for OKLAHOMA CITY - THE RENAISSANCE CITY!!! WE DESERVE THE SONICS, SEATTLE DOESN'T WANT THEM!


The National Basketball Association (http://www.nba.com/webAction?actionId=surveyInitialize&target=/email_us/email_form_041027.jsp&surveyId=1152)
Attn: Fan Services
645 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Email form:

Send an E-mail to the League Office (http://www.nba.com/webAction?actionId=surveyInitialize&target=/email_us/email_form_041027.jsp&surveyId=1152)

I sent my email to the NBA, come on everyone!!!

what are some good seattle message boards?

what are some good seattle message boards?

The Seattle Times: View Forum - Sonics (http://forums.seattletimes.nwsource.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=44)

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Basketball Forum (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/forum/boards/viewboard.asp?boardID=2)

These two forums are by far the best for the sonics. there are others, but these are the most colourful.

Sonics Beat (http://www.sonicsbeat.com/)
sonicscentral.com - We Bleed Green and Gold (http://www.sonicscentral.com/blog/)


I hope you all can join on and DEFEND Oklahoma City and YOUR right to an NBA team. I've contributed a LOT of information about the city (along with a few others) which has turned an ignorant and arrogant Seattle fan base into a realistic bunch withoutregard. But the more intelligent people we can get from OKC to come on these boards from time to time, the better!

OKC is the Renaissance City, a city on the move. And the NBA is OKC's biggest ticket - and the Sonics are OKC's. Seattle knows this, but there are many who are pulling all straws (nothing wrong with that, just as long as they dont say anything bad about OKC anymore!!!) That's my whole point.

Seattle isn't all that, you know. It's just another american city, just like OKC.

Reality is setting in in Seattle! this is taken from the Seattle Times with their discretion.


Steve Kelley
We've been duped by Bennett

By Steve Kelley
Seattle Times staff columnist

We've been duped.

We thought Sonics owner Clay Bennett really cared about staying when he brought Lenny Wilkens into a position of authority inside the franchise.

We thought he really meant it when he and Wilkens went to lobby the Legislature and ask for a new all-purpose arena that would benefit one and all.

We thought he really wanted to protect the Sonics' gold-plated first-round pick Kevin Durant with a reliable, veteran scorer like Rashard Lewis.

We thought he was serious about finding the right head coach for his young team when he interviewed the best candidate out there, former Sonics assistant Dwane Casey.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. And wrong.
This must be what a basketball apocalypse feels like.

We've been duped.

First, the Sonics botched the Rashard Lewis deal so badly, it made his decision to go to Orlando as easy as choosing a vacation destination.

And at a noon news conference Thursday, the Sonics will name the absolutely wrong choice to be their new head coach.

They had a 50-50 chance of getting it right and they muffed it.

They picked P.J. Carlesimo, San Antonio's assistant coach, over Casey, the former Minnesota coach.

These San Antonio guys — Sonics owner Clay Bennett, a former Spurs minority owner, and Sam Presti, a former Spurs assistant general manager — took their security blanket over the common-sense choice.

They sucked all the joy out of draft night, when Presti made all the right moves — picking Kevin Durant and trading Ray Allen to Boston for the fifth pick, Jeff Green, along with Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak.

On that night, they opened the door to the hope the Sonics could stay in Seattle. This week, they slammed it shut.

They dumped payroll like a troubled jet drops fuel.

Mayday! Mayday!

They lost 50 points per game in Allen and Lewis and replaced it with promise. Promise that almost certainly will be realized some day in some other city besides Seattle.

These past two days were a black-hearted Valentine from Bennett to the people of Seattle. A finger-waving salute to the state's legislators. An adios to pro basketball in this town. INSERT: Too funny :dizzy:

Bennett is sprinting away from this city's NBA legacy. He's turning his back on 40-plus years of hoops.

Rashard Lewis? Why does Bennett need a nine-year Sonics veteran who carries a $70 million-plus price tag?

Dwane Casey? He was too close to the Sonics' more glorious past.

He coached with George Karl all the way to the 1996 NBA Finals. Coached with Nate McMillan when they shocked the league and won the 2005 Northwest Division, then took Bennett's beloved role models, the Spurs, to six nail-biting games.

Casey was too dangerous for Bennett. He had friends in Seattle. He wanted the franchise to stay. And Bennett couldn't have that.

We've been duped.

Bennett couldn't have a former Sonics assistant coaching his team.

Casey has a home in Seattle, for crying out loud. He got married here.

Yikes, he might have let it slip to the media that this team belonged in Seattle.

And we already know how much Bennett hates the Seattle media. In the job interviews with both general managers and coaches, he whined about the "unfair" treatment he has received here.

Apparently he takes no responsibility for his blunders.

Not hiring Casey is the latest.

The former Sonics assistant was the guy who could have coaxed and pushed and cursed and cajoled this young team, which will have an opening-day roster that averages between 24 and 25 years old.

Carlesimo is wrong for this team. INSERT: But Carlesimo's right for OKC's team, hint hint hint!!!!!

What happened the last time Carlesimo coached a young NBA team?

The Golden State Warriors fell into anarchy during his two-plus-year tenure when the team went 46-113.

Let's not even mention the Latrell Sprewell incident.

(OK, we just did.) INSERT: try to sling mud whilst you can, Seattle.

Carlesimo is a grinder. He chews on players. He wears on them.

It will take a certain, secure veteran player, like Robert Horry or Michael Finley, to play for Carlesimo. Those are players the Sonics don't have.

With Carlesimo, Bennett is looking for the second coming of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, a great coach who can get away with being cold-hearted because he has Tim Duncan and Duncan always salved the psychic wounds Popovich inflicted on the other Spurs.

Seattle is a much different team.

In terms of maturity, these Sonics are as much like the Spurs as Bellevue High School is to the Indianapolis Colts.

Maybe Seattle will win 28 games next year. Maybe the Sonics will get lucky and Durant goes LeBron on the league and they win 35.

I'm not sure it matters anymore.

It appears Bennett is counting days, not wins. He is looking to take his young team to some naïve smaller-market city that will be thrilled, at least initially, just to have a team. INSERT: Who does Kelley think he is calling OKC a naive smaller-market city???

In the meantime, this season in Seattle, for Bennett, is just an inconvenient truth. INSERT: that is, this season in Seattle is an INCONVENIENCE for Bennett

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company


LOL, that was tooo funny. But it does have some truth in it. Bennett knew that Casey has Seattle ties and would easily be able to drum up some support if hired. Did Bennett hire Casey?

too funny. :dizzy:

I guess we should lay out the welcome mats for the Sonics. Come on OKC, show your support!!! Welcome your team. :welcome55

The Seattle Times: View Forum - Sonics (http://forums.seattletimes.nwsource.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=44)

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Basketball Forum (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/forum/boards/viewboard.asp?boardID=2)

These two forums are by far the best for the sonics. there are others, but these are the most colourful.

Sonics Beat (http://www.sonicsbeat.com/)
sonicscentral.com - We Bleed Green and Gold (http://www.sonicscentral.com/blog/)


I hope you all can join on and DEFEND Oklahoma City and YOUR right to an NBA team. I've contributed a LOT of information about the city (along with a few others) which has turned an ignorant and arrogant Seattle fan base into a realistic bunch withoutregard. But the more intelligent people we can get from OKC to come on these boards from time to time, the better!

OKC is the Renaissance City, a city on the move. And the NBA is OKC's biggest ticket - and the Sonics are OKC's. Seattle knows this, but there are many who are pulling all straws (nothing wrong with that, just as long as they dont say anything bad about OKC anymore!!!) That's my whole point.

Seattle isn't all that, you know. It's just another american city, just like OKC.
I joined one of the forums a lonnnnng time ago (shortly after Bennett's group made the purchase), just to have a look around and not to make trouble. I posted a few times, largely to say that I thought that Bennett's group was sincere about what he was saying ... both about wanting to stay but conditioned on a new facility and contract being agreed to by a date certain or leaving if that didn't happen.

But, I've not posted since last summer or early fall and see nothing to be gained by doing so today. It would problably just be seen as trying to stir up trouble.

Frankly, my preference would be for Okc to get an expansion team, but expansion seems totally pie-in-the-sky for the forseeable future.

So, if Bennett's terms are not met (only 119 days until October 31, or, put differently, 120 days until Thursday, November 1 ... "Remember, remember, the 1st of November," taking a cue from the most excellent movie, V for Vendetta), and IF, on that day, Clay Bennett's group elects to tip their collective hats to Okc (I wouldn't rule out KC), I'll surely welcome them with open arms ... I'll have to get a whole new set of gear though and enjoy every minute and dollar of it! Such a day would be a great day for our town ... schools should be closed, city offices shut down, etc., and a grand parade should immediately take place!

I dont think anyone from OKC has been snobbish or snooty, but certainly there are some Seattlearea people who were being pompass jerks against OKC.

Now that I and a few others have informed them, that OKC isn't really that much smaller than Seattle and could pose a viable market should they go outside of the Neilson designated boundaries. ..

OKC actually looks better than Seattle in many sectors! And that is my whole point, speak up for OKC and let the cards fall as they may - in OKC's favor of course.

All of that hick, cow patty, horse manuer, small town, NBA would never leave seattle for okc bs they were saying about OKC is just that,

B.S.

Maybe the Sonics can do bad enough this next season they can get another lottery pick and then work a deal for CP3 from the Hornets.

hot rod..You have probably noticed I post on the SeattlePI forum since my lazy....style gives me away...Pretty sure you aren't very popular on there :bow:

I only post on the relocation threads and normally only to defend OKC or punch a few holes in their vision of Seattle being a completely perfect city

It is a story that deals directly with OKC so I don't see a problem with posting there...When it all boils down it is after all only sports

Easy, I did.

And I probably am not liked too much by the Sonics fans, but hey - the truth hurts.

I hate it when someone picks on OKC, especially when what they are saying isnt true. Like you said, Seattle is a nice place but it aint perfect nor is it even the best city up here.

And it is very funny to see how THIN those "tough" sounding Seattleites are, when they pick on OKC then get it slapped back in their faces!!! lol.

How many straws have they pulled?

Larger Market, sure as defined by neilson - but surely OKC's market should be larger than neilson defined it. And surely, OKC has a MUCH larger region to draw from. LOSS TO SEATTLE.

Larger City, sure Seattle is a larger metro but citywise, they're basically the same give or take 30K people. And isn't it a shame that "SUCH A LARGE CITY" can't even support an NBA team. .... LOL. Loss to Seattle.

The board wont let Bennett take the Sonics away from Seattle. Wanna bet? Seattle sucks as an NBA market. Perhaps Seattle is not big enough to support 3 major league teams. Perhaps Seattle is JUST the same as Kansas City. Denver supports 6 teams (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS, and also AFL), Seattle can't even support 3, yet someone is claiming that the NBA owners would dictate to Bennett to stay in a LOSING proposition??? They can't MAKE Bennett do anyting, the only thing they can do is vote for OKC and set the terms of relocation. And surely with them ALL KNOWING Bennett and the fact that Stern loves Bennett and OKC, Im sure relocation wont be a NO issue for the NBA owners should Seattle continue with its disregard of the Sonics for the next 4 months. Loss to Seattle.

Richer City, sure Seattle and environs are richer overall; but when I pointed out disposable income specifically in regards to the cost of capital (meaning housing) - OH NO, Hot Rod got us again. OKC may not have 50,000 as median salary, but 38K per person might be just enough to support an NBA team long term, especially since OKC has MUCH MORE disposable income than does Seattle. Loss to Seattle, again.

NBA wont leave a 40 year history, wanna bet? True, Seattle was one of the original NBA markets and for that reason there should be no reason or issue for keeping the team here. But, UNLIKE New York and Chicago, Seattle can't even build a quality arena as a shrine for that NBA history. Do you really think we'd be having these discussions for the Chicago Bulls or the New York Knicks? Sorry Seattle for TRYING to be like New York and Chicago, but you aint. You might have 40 years but you dont act like it, and surely an OKC businessman owns the Sonics with the SOLE purpose of moving the teams to OKC. LOSS TO SEATTLE, and its SEATTLE's own fault.

What else do they try to pull. OH. ..

OKC isnt a sports market. WRONG. They mean, Seattle isnt a true sports market. Seattle is a fair weather market, if their teams do well, then they support them. If not, you dont have to look any further than the Sonics to get the answer. OKC on the other hand, supports the Sooners (and Cowboys to a lesser extent) day in and out. Seattle doesn't even really support the Huskies, and certainly NOT at the same level that OKC supports the Sooners and even Cowboys. Having two state schools, one a perinneal leader in football only 19 miles away and the other a quality annual basketball leader only 45 miles the other way, OKc is a HUGE market. The saving grace for OKC is there is NO competition for the pro dollar. Seattle has the Mariners and Seahawks, both of whom are larger draws than the Sonics. In OKC, this would not be a problem, as was proven with the Hornets - people still supported OU and OSU and heavily supported the NBA. I think when the Sonics come to OKC, there will be NO DOUBT that OKC is a much better sports town than many cities around the nation, especially Seattle. Regardless of the record, OKC will support their major league team (although I do admit that a winning team anywhere will guarantee filled seats). OKC is not a fair weather city, OKC supports its teams. Loss once again to Seattle.

More money in Seattle. This is true in total. There are many rich people up here in the Seattle area. But there are in OKC also. And, because a major league team in OKC would have NO competition, all of that OKC money can go to support one team - regardless of the record. If the Sonics were winning, do you think the arena would somehow get funded? probably. but because of late - Seattleites dont care. And no rich person from the Seattle Eastside is stepping up and either building an arena suitable for Bennett nor agreeing to pay $350M to buy the Sonics from him for the sake of "Seattle community pride." Furthermore, no one here stepped up when Howard Schultz - Starbucks CEO and billionare and former Sonics owner - offered to sell to local investors. Think any of this would happen in OKC? OKC will do ANYTHING to get and keep a major league team. Especially now, there's PLENTY of money flowing in OKC's economy (it aint that much smaller than Seattle's). TIE at best, since both have money and OKC is willing to spend it whereas Seattle aint.

Seattle is a larger regional draw. Again, WRONG. OKC has the POTENTIAL to draw from some 5-12M residents in the local area, with 6 "local" NBA teams to establish rivalries with (cities with NBA teams less than 2 hour flight away). And OKC's region is WAY more populated than Seattle's (regardless if they try
to throw in British Columbia [who could care less about the Sonics honestly], Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Seattle can't even claim the whole state of WA, because SW WA belongs to Portland. Whereas I believe an OKC team could lay claim to all of OK, KS, W and N TX outside of DFW, W AR, and portions of Missouri [a population over 13M people]. While these folks wont be bolting to every game, they would probably attend one and would watch games on cable, which would help the OKC metro area in longevity, especially if they win. And, Im sure those 6 local teams would hop a flight (or drive) to support their club when they come to OKC; who comes to Seattle other than Portlanders (and Vancouverites when the Grizzlies were there]? Big LOSS to Seattle!

"Why would a black kid want to hang out in OKC." Excuse me??? OKC has a much larger black community and culture than does Seattle, and OKC is closer to the hip hop scene and culture that is blossoming in Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York. Seattle is far away and has NO culture whatsoever, not to mention black people by comparison. The quote above was stated by someone from Seattle area who obviously must think of OKC as a small town full of white people. But in reality, Seattle is more white than OKC [whites represent over 85% of the population here, vs. under 70% in OKC]. Not that this is even something to argue, but I did want to point out, that a black kid (aka an NBA player such as Kevin Durant, that's what Im assuming that comment was referring to) would have no trouble having fun in a city full of black culture if that is what he's into because OKC has it more than Seattle! BIG Loss to whoever posted that on the Seattle forum.

Again, I defend OKC - I dont start trouble. All I have to do is post the facts and watch those crybabies all of sudden start backpeddling and whining. All of the name calling to make themselves feel better. Everytime they pulled strings, I showed them in a factual manner how OKC is superiour or at least in similar leagues and therefore viable. Im sure Ive provided as much information as I've probably also hurt a few egos.

But that's life, they'll get over it and probably be a much more mature poster over time - instead of this hick namecalling crap some of them keep trying to do. Like you said, EASY, its [B]ONLY sports.

The sky's beginning to fall down on the Seattle Supersonics. ...

From the Seattle PI.


Seattle falling off sports map
Last updated July 3, 2007 11:18 p.m. PT

By ART THIEL
P-I COLUMNIST

Rashard Lewis. Ray Allen. Nate McMillan. Jack Sikma. Detlef Schrempf. Mike Hargrove. Jamie Moyer. Gil Meche. Steve Hutchinson. Spencer Hawes.

No wonder we almost broke the ribs of Ken Griffey Jr. with our weepy group hug.

Does any A-list sports talent want to work in this burg?

Ichiro Suzuki, let's see your hand up.

Please?

News that Lewis practically leaped out of his shoes to agree to a deal with the Orlando Magic on the first day of NBA free agency was the latest in a long line of departures that suggest Seattle is drifting toward becoming the downtown Kazakhstan of big-time sports. INSERT: LOL :dizzy:

Obviously, reasons and circumstances are as varied as the athletes. Some had choices, others didn't. Turnover is a standard fixture in these sports. Besides, plenty of athletes are happy to be here. Willie Bloomquist, for example. Probably.

So an all-inclusive conclusion isn't logical.

But it's hard to dispute that the recent burn rate for top-tier local sports figures has been faster than tax money for a Halliburton no-bid contract.

The Sonics' implosion is generating the highest casualty rate. They have been on a rolling, two-year financial collapse, thanks to the 2005-06 season in which the old ownership plotted its exit, and the 2006-07 season in which the new ownership plotted its exit.

The Sonics may still get some value for Lewis in a sign-and-trade deal. But if they don't, it's the full A-Rod -- nothing in return for the premier player of his free agent class.

It's not easy to have that happen twice in the same sports market. Unless one considers that it's happened three times in Seattle. The Seahawks' Hutchinson received more money than any guard in NFL history from Minnesota, and the Seahawks received nada.

That's the sort of civic sporting whiff that has kept Seattle championship-free in the major sports since 1979. All leagues attempt, with varying success, to promote enough parity so that every team may someday find a route to the top. Seattle teams keep getting lost.

This sort of mediocrity is a little more understandable in places like Kansas City, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, smaller markets that lack the Fortune 500 companies and large private wealth that can indulge franchises as objects for dilettante amusement. INSERT: OK??? So if Seattle is soooo rich, then why is it happening Art?

Despite the extraordinary explosion of cash in the Puget Sound region, starting with the 1986 public offering of stock in Microsoft, Seattle and its landed gentry often still act like it's a sawmill town short on trees. INSERT:LOL!!! and they like to call OKC - hick. ... Sawmill town. lol.

Then again, the Mercer Mess has been so since the 1960s, so there probably is no precedent for presuming we can get out of our own civic way.

Paul Allen is one guy who is willing to deal, but unfortunately for local sports fans, he bought into the one sport with a hard salary cap for players that is the least influenced by reckless wealth of an owner.

He's spent well for coaches such as Mike Holmgren of the Seahawks and McMillan of the Trail Blazers, but the limits on NFL player spending and rules on revenue sharing explain in part why the sport works in places like Green Bay and Jacksonville, and why the NBA, in contrast, can fail in Seattle and Vancouver. INSERT: Hey, dont try to lump Vancouver into Seattle's failure. Vancouver lost the grizz because the NBA never developed the market. Fan attendance was fine all along but there was nothing to get excited over, esp for a new market/country, when Brian Big Country Reves (from Oklahoma by the way) was all Vancouverites had to cheer about. The owner sucked and that is why the Vancouver franchise moved. Seattle's is moving because Seattle sucks.

Even in the NFL, Seattle managed to wait nearly 30 years for its first Super Bowl appearance. Up until the 2005 postseason the club's pile of playoff wins stood at a neat and tidy three.

Another example of Seattle futility revealed itself this week with MLB's announcement of the rosters for the All-Star Game.

The current Mariners lost to the former Mariners, 6-2.

Three times as many ex-Mariners are in the game (Griffey, Meche, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen and Brian Fuentes) than current players (Ichiro, J.J. Putz). And for those stars who departed via trade, nothing remains on the current roster from those transactions. That's just one explanation for how the Mariners remain one of five MLB teams never to have made the World Series.

The impression is that while Seattle sports are, in fact, a collective big dog, the moguls prefer to run with the Chihuahuas.

Another example of thinking small: Although bonuses and other payments may alter the complete comparison, it is likely that the highest-paid athlete in town is Wally Szczerbiak, one of the two players acquired from the Celtics in the Allen trade last week.

Now with his third team in two seasons, Szczerbiak, partly due to injuries, was able to start just 19 games for one of the NBA's worst teams, yet is owed $26 million by the Sonics for the next two seasons.

Go ahead. I'll wait while you remove your index finger from your throat.

The killer irony is that the main, if not only, reason Allen and Lewis will not be on the team next season is because owner Clay Bennett doesn't want to pay their high salaries, which are a little more than Szczerbiak's, but would in either case go to more productive players in the franchise's most important season.

The fact that Lewis' pal, Allen, was jettisoned for a rookie destined for Lewis' spot was all he needed to know about the Sonics. After the draft-day deals, there was no way Lewis was coming back to Seattle.

At least Lewis' decision was based on simple, comprehensible facts such as money and team prospects. No such concrete data explain the decision of Hargrove to abdicate his post as manager of the Mariners.

Never in the 107 years of major league baseball checked by the Elias Sports Bureau has a manager departed voluntarily after an eight-game winning streak. Why am I not surprised it happened to a team in Seattle? Even when things are going good, badness is just a sweep by the Kansas City Royals away.

While conspiracy theories abound regarding the reasons behind his resignation Sunday, I have yet to hear the real one:

He was following the crowd.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P-I columnist Art Thiel can be reached at 206-448-8135 or artthiel@seattlepi.com.

© 1998-2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer


This was just too funny but sad also. Seattle will be just fine with two teams only. Get over it guys.

I read that today...Thought it was great timing as the classy gtpace poster on there had just ranted about big stars not wanting to play in OKC...Umm looks like big stars don't want to play in Seattle either dude

Funny stuff

^ lol.

>>> Sounds like someone's a little upset the Sonics are leaving Seattle.... (and hopefully moving to OKC)


SEATTLE -- Hall of Fame coach Lenny Wilkens resigned Friday as the vice chairman of the Seattle SuperSonics, completing a rapid decline of his role in the organization.



Wilkens
"My passion for this city and this franchise has never wavered, but I feel that my position within the organization did not develop the way that I thought it would," Wilkens said in a statement.


Wilkens became the Sonics' vice chairman last November, taking on the role of adviser on basketball operations to owner Clay Bennett and also working in community relations.


His role temporarily expanded in late April when the team reassigned general manager Rick Sund and fired coach Bob Hill. Wilkens was put in charge of the search to fill both positions, and was promoted to president of basketball operations.


That promotion wasn't without confusion. Wilkens announced his new job on a Seattle sports radio station; the team briefly denied that Wilkens had been promoted before confirming the move.


When the Sonics hired Sam Presti as their general manager on June 7, Bennett announced that Presti held authority on all basketball-related decisions, and Wilkens would resume his role as vice chairman.


Wilkens has not been seen at any Sonics-related events since Presti was hired.


Wilkens' "insight into basketball and the Sonics' legacy in Seattle helped us greatly as we retooled our basketball operation," Bennett said in a statement. "He has been an important resource and connection to the community as we continue in our efforts to secure the future of the Sonics in Seattle."


Bennett's proposal to use public money to fund the majority of a $500 million new suburban arena failed to even make it to a vote in the state Legislature last spring.


Bennett appears to be slowly distancing himself from those who have past history with the Sonics. Wilkens' resignation is added to the loss of assistant coach and former player Jack Sikma; and the selection P.J. Carlesimo as head coach, instead of Dwane Casey, a former Sonics' assistant.


Seattle has also had major front-office turnover, with assistant GM Rich Cho the only significant holdover from the previous staff.


"I am extremely competitive, I'm driven to win and I have a deep passion for the game. I wish the Sonics well in the future," Wilkens said.


Wilkens, the NBA's career victory leader, coached the Sonics to their only championship in 1979. He spent 11 seasons as a player-coach or coach of the SuperSonics, part of his 32 seasons as an NBA coach. He has a career mark of 1,332-1,155

Hi everyone.

I was reading the Seattle Times online version when I noticed something. Take a look at the front page of the site. The Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/index.html)

Scroll down the front page to the Sports headline area (about mid way down the page).

Notice that you see a link on the r/h side for the city's sports teams; and notice that you ONLY see Seahawks/Mariners/High School. NO SONICS.

I could SWARE that Sonics used to be there also as a link (since it is a pro major league team now based in Seattle), but not anymore. I wonder if this is a sign, that the Seattle Times are already writing off the Sonics. That is very very good sign/news for Oklahoma City, if Seattle's top newspaper no longer thinks of the Sonics as belonging to the city. .....

Not sure if that "signals" anything HOT ROD. As much as I would like it to, the AP would be all over it if the Seattle Times knew more than the rest of the AP. If you look at the tabs at the top of their page, click on Sports. The Sonics and Storm tabs are still there.

Right, but in the sports area of the main page - Sonics used to be listed since it is one of the 3 major league teams here, along with the Seahawks and Mariners. Now its not, Im not the first to point this out by the way.

The Seahawks are not in season right now yet are still shown, so that is not the reason the Sonics are not there. I dont think the Seattle Times know anything more than anyone else but I think they are writing off the Sonics if nothing else, which is good for OKC.

True, but either way, the Sonics and Storm still have a tab on the Seattle Times website, so I wouldn't say they've written off them completely. Football is almost here and baseball is obviously in season. NBA is the furthest away from starting, perhaps this is why? I have no idea. I'm just ready for the next tidbit given to us from the NBA or Bennett.

Things are looking VERY good!!!


Bennett: No arena plan by Oct. 31 means Sonics will move to OKC
By John Rohde
Staff Writer


If a suitable arena project in greater Seattle is not approved by Oct. 31, Seattle SuperSonics chairman Clay Bennett has said he intends to file for relocation to Oklahoma City on Nov. 1.


After a year and a day after leading a new ownership group to buy the team — and getting "no traction" toward building a new arena — a frustrated Bennett is calling for prompt action from the political, business and civic leadership of Seattle, King County and the state of Washington.

"Basically, I'm pounding the table, reiterating everything we've said to date," Bennett said.

On Thursday, Bennett requested a meeting with Seattle mayor Greg Nickels to reaffirm his city will lose its team unless an acceptable multi-purpose facility is approved within the next 15 weeks.

In a deal publicly announced July 18, 2006, Bennett's group purchased the Sonics and Storm for $350 million. As part of the transaction that closed on Oct. 31, 2006, a one-year deadline was set to develop a suitable replacement for KeyArena, which is the NBA's smallest facility.

On April 16, the Washington state legislature formally tabled a proposal that would have publicly helped fund a $500-million arena in the Seattle suburb of Renton, where Bennett purchased a 21.2-acre parcel of land.

Approximately $350 million would have come from tax money, most of it from tourism taxes already in place.

"We were disappointed with the results at the Legislature and further disappointed at the lack of progress since the end of the session," Bennett said in a statement released Thursday morning. "We now invite the leadership of the Seattle area to re-engage on this issue."

Bennett re-emphasized his group's priority is to keep the Sonics — and the WNBA's Storm — in the Seattle area.

"However, this can only be achieved through the development of a new state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility," Bennett's statement read. "The issue is clear and simple, does the leadership of the region wish to retain its professional basketball teams? If so, serious productive discussions must commence at once. If not, as owners we must consider all of our options in regaining the financial viability of the business."

Time is precious for sure....................

But come on let's time warp to November already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this Bennett quote is very significant because it's the first time he's publicly stated that he will move the team to OKC without an arena deal in Seattle.

And we all know there will not be any such deal... I can't see anything changing in the next 3 months.

Are there any active pro-Sonics groups (with any kind of influence) in Seattle to make a deal like this happen in the next 3 months?

Seems like the Sonics are slipping through the fingers of Seattle into OKC's lap!

I'm happy to see Kansas City and Las Vegas out of the picture. The implication is that Clay Bennett thinks we are a viable city for the NBA, an idea with which I agree.

Does anyone know what Bennett actually said about moving the team to OKC? The first line in the article reads like a summation or paraphrase. I'm just wondering if there were any caveats to his statement about relocation, other than building an arena in the Puget Sound.

I'm happy to see Kansas City and Las Vegas out of the picture. The implication is that Clay Bennett thinks we are a viable city for the NBA, an idea with which I agree.

They never were, it was politically correct rhetoric.

I think this Bennett quote is very significant because it's the first time he's publicly stated that he will move the team to OKC without an arena deal in Seattle.

And we all know there will not be any such deal... I can't see anything changing in the next 3 months.

I think this is just another pre-designed moment in this whole transition from Seattle to OKC. This was probably designed to be the official "three month warning" period where Bennett officially starts talking about leaving Seattle all the time. Up until now, he was very much throwing quotes out about being hopeful to work something out in Seattle.

My bet is that, from this point forward, there won't be much positive Seattle talk coming from Bennett from this day forward.

This is a big moment and a great day for NBA fans in OKC.

I would think its the nail in the coffin for Seattle. If I was a Seattle fan and some Okie owner had just said that, I'd be like "get outta here then, punk!"

Hopefully, they will!

After reading all this, and being a Seattle resident, I have to give my two cents. I have witnessed both the Mariners attempt to leave and the Seahawks actually pack up and move to Los Angeles for a month. There were two things in common with both these issues. They both tried to leave, and we had to take them both to court. Seattle's Mayor (Greg Nickels) seems to have no problem with taking Clay Bennett to court for him to honor the Key Arena Lease. If I were an Oklahoma City resident, I wouldn't get my hopes up for getting the Sonics. I hope you in Oklahoma City get an NBA team, but just not the Sonics!

I think the biggest difference is that the NBA commissioner has already agreed that Seattle can't keep the team if a new arena deal isn't reached and that Seattle seems to have a lot less interest in keeping the Sonics than the other two teams, which is why they are both presently occupying expensive new publicly-subsidized homes.

The worse case is that the Sonics still pay rent at Key even if they move. That wouldn't be so horrible since OKC can offer them a great deal on the Ford Center, which is already in place and paid for.

Slightly different spin on the meetings in Seattle

Sonics | Sonics owner wants to reopen talks for KeyArena | Seattle Times Newspaper (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2003796211_webbennett19m.html)

Interesting take...

That article completely left out Bennett's desire to have action taking place by Oct. 31st or a relocation to OKC would be looked at.

The Oklahoman also removed the article I had posted above.

Since Bennett's family owns that publication, perhaps he asked to have it removed since it may have come across as too negative in Seattle?

The Oklahoman also removed the article I had posted above.

Since Bennett's family owns that publication, perhaps he asked to have it removed since it may have come across as too negative in Seattle?


When I go to newsok.com, the story is front page news, same story you posted earlier.

It was down for a while...

And they changed the headline, which now reads:

"Bennett restarts arena talks, puts Seattle on notice"

When I go to newsok.com, the story is front page news, same story you posted earlier.

As of 3:18 p.m. CST, it's still there ... NewsOK: Bennett restarts arena talks, puts Seattle on notice -- If there is no plan, Sonics chairman says he'll apply for OKC relocation Nov. 1 (http://www.newsok.com/article/3086948/)

It's also still absent of any actual quote or reference to support the claim that he said they will file for relocation to Oklahoma City if nothing happens by 10/31. I'm not saying he didn't come out and say that. I'd just feel more comfortable if that sentence was back up by a verifiable public statement.

Here's the quote:

Sonics Owner Calls For Restart Of Seattle Arena Talks - News Story - KPTV Portland (http://www.kptv.com/news/13718853/detail.html)


"Bennett spokesman Dan Mahoney confirmed Thursday that if Bennett decides to file relocation papers with the NBA, Oklahoma City will be the destination. Bennett had also visited Kansas City to speak with officials there about their new arena that is without an anchor tenant.

'Kansas City was being looked at, but the preference is that if relocation is attempted, Oklahoma City would be the market,' Mahoney said."

Yeah, but I want to see the words come directly out of Bennett's mouth, preferably in person.

here you go then, from USA TODAY, the nations Largest paper!!

Owner: Okla. City chosen destination if no arena deal reached - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/sonics/2007-07-19-move-okc-arena_N.htm)

Heard about this on the radio this morning. If they don't have a deal in the works by 10/31 they are coming to OKC. I think it's pretty-much a sure thing now.

Sonics’ owner Bennett calls for restart of arena talks

by Tim Booth
Associated Press July 20, 2007


SEATTLE – SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett re-emerged on Thursday, calling for a resumption of talks with political, business and civic leaders in the Seattle area to try to re-ignite discussions on a new arena.

Bennett has been mostly silent on the issue since the Washington Legislature adjourned in April without taking action on a proposal that would have contributed about $300 million in public money for a new arena for the Sonics and WNBA Storm in the Seattle suburbs.

He has visited Kansas City to talk to officials about possibly moving there, and his hometown of Oklahoma City, which just sent the Hornets back to New Orleans after hosting them for two seasons, remains the primary option.Wednesday was the one-year anniversary of Bennett’s purchase of the Sonics from Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz and the Basketball Club of Seattle.

“The clock is ticking and we wanted to again bring a call to action and raise the issue and bring people to the table and get serious about what needs to get done,” said Bennett, who was in Seattle on Thursday morning before he flew back to Oklahoma City in the afternoon.

Bennett spoke with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels before he left, to arrange an in-person meeting. In a statement released earlier in the day, Bennett said Nickels is “the appropriate person to provide leadership and guidance on this issue.”

Seattle voters passed an initiative last fall that requires that teams pay “fair-market value” for new facilities in the city – instead of leaving the overwhelming majority of the costs for taxpayers. Yet Bennett is apparently hoping Nickels may be able to bring other civic and private leaders together to work on a new arena deal.

“(He) was extremely receptive and considerate in the phone conversation,” Bennett said. “It’s not so much to provide public money, but he is someone who can provide leadership and bring people to the table in his capacity as mayor ... and help address the issue.”

The city wants to hear what Bennett has to say in person.

“We’ll take the discussion from that point and see where the initial meeting goes,” said Nickels’ spokesman Marty McOmber.

Bennett has set an Oct. 31 deadline – one year from the date his purchase of the franchise closed – for finding an arena solution. If no progress is made, Bennett has promised to begin relocating the team, to Oklahoma City or to Kansas City, which is looking for an anchor tenant for its new arena.

Before it adjourned, the Legislature rejected a plan to use King County tax revenues to cover $278 million of a proposed $500 million arena in the suburb of Renton.

Short of Bennett asking Gov. Chris Gregoire to call back lawmakers for a special session to reconsider the issue – which the governor’s office confirms Bennett has not been done – there is no way the Sonics can get public money approved for a building before Bennett’s deadline.

The Sonics have a lease with the city to play at KeyArena – the smallest venue in the NBA – through the 2010 season. Last year, NBA commissioner David Stern called that lease the league’s worst for a team.

Three months ago, Bennett appeared ready to write the city a check to break the lease after next season, saying the Sonics would likely honor the agreement only through “a legal exercise.”

McOmber said the city’s stance has not changed.

“The lease is through 2010 and we expect them to honor that lease. And that’s where it remains,” he said, adding all previous proposals for renovations to KeyArena are still on the table.

^ Malibu, I think your story was published in the Houston paper. It is a more neutral spin rather than the Seattle centric spin the Seattle Times published (saying Bennett wanted to stay/discuss Key Arena) and the Daily Oklahoman (who spun it that OKC was the destination if things dont work out).

Yet, take a look at USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/sonics/2007-07-19-move-okc-arena_N.htm) - they pretty much backup/confirm the Daily's publish and even provide MORE of an OKC centric message!!! Obviuosly, the Seattle Times is chosing to fabricate its message somewhat, no doubt to sell papers. :numchucks


USA TODAY
Owner: Okla. City chosen destination if no arena deal reached

SEATTLE (AP) — On the day Clay Bennett called for a resumption of talks regarding a new arena in the Seattle area, the SuperSonics owner finally declared where he'll move the franchise if a deal can't be reached.
To no one's surprise, it'll be Bennett's hometown of Oklahoma City.

Bennett spokesman Dan Mahoney confirmed Thursday that if Bennett files relocation papers with the NBA, Oklahoma City will be the destination. It's the first time Bennett has made a solid declaration about the Sonics' future location if a new arena deal doesn't develop in Seattle.

"Kansas City was being looked at, but the preference is that if relocation is attempted, Oklahoma City would be the market," Mahoney said.

Previously, Bennett visited Kansas City to speak with officials there about their new arena that is without an anchor tenant. Oklahoma City just finished a successful two-year run hosting the New Orleans Hornets, who are returning to Louisiana for the 2007-08 season.

Bennett has set an Oct. 31 deadline — one year from the date his purchase of the franchise closed — for finding an arena solution. If no progress is made, Bennett has promised to begin relocating the team.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett stressed that Oklahoma City is "not proactively seeking any franchise" and is aware that NBA teams have leases with their current cities that they are expected to honor. But Cornett said at some point an NBA team will announce that it is actively looking to relocate, and he will pursue that team.

Bennett, who owns the Sonics and WNBA Storm, maintains his optimal situation is in Seattle. His pronouncement on where the team might move came as he re-emerged to push the arena issue — one-year after his purchase of the franchise.

Bennett has been mostly silent on the issue since the Washington Legislature adjourned in April without taking action on a proposal that would have contributed about $300 million in public money for a new arena in the Seattle suburbs.

"The clock is ticking and we wanted to again bring a call to action and raise the issue and bring people to the table and get serious about what needs to get done," said Bennett, who was in Seattle on Thursday morning before he flew back to Oklahoma City in the afternoon.

Bennett spoke with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels before he left, to arrange an in-person meeting. In a statement released earlier in the day, Bennett said Nickels is "the appropriate person to provide leadership and guidance on this issue."

Getting a new arena in Seattle will be difficult after voters passed an initiative last fall requiring that teams pay "fair-market value" for new facilities in the city — instead of leaving the overwhelming majority of the costs for taxpayers. Bennett is hoping Nickels can bring together other civic and private leaders.

"(He) was extremely receptive and considerate in the phone conversation," Bennett said. "It's not so much to provide public money, but he is someone who can provide leadership and bring people to the table in his capacity as mayor ... and help address the issue."

The city wants to hear what Bennett has to say in person.

"We'll take the discussion from that point and see where the initial meeting goes," said Nickels' spokesman Marty McOmber.

The Legislature took no action on a proposal to use King County tax revenues to cover $278 million of a proposed $500 million arena in the suburb of Renton. The Sonics have a lease with the city of Seattle to play at KeyArena — the smallest venue in the NBA — through the 2010 season. Last year, NBA commissioner David Stern called that lease the league's worst.

Three months ago, Bennett appeared ready to write the city a check to break the lease after next season, saying the Sonics would likely honor the agreement only through "a legal exercise."

McOmber said the city's stance has not changed.

"The lease is thru 2010 and we expect them to honor that lease. And that's where it remains," he said, adding all previous proposals for renovations to KeyArena are still on the table.

With a public partnership appearing less likely, Bennett appears to be leaning toward the private sector if a deal is to get done in Seattle.

One option could be the Muckleshoot Indian tribe, which owns land near Emerald Downs race track in Auburn, 24 miles south of downtown Seattle. The tribe has examined possibilities for the land and a consultant's report is due back soon, spokesman Rollin Fatland said Thursday.

Bennett also had an introductory meeting with David Sabey, a Seattle-area real estate developer, to discuss land Sabey bought a few months ago in Tukwila, south of Seattle.

There have been no subsequent discussions with either the tribe or Sabey's group.

"We're open to any idea that helps us get into a new building," Bennett said.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I don't think the move to OKC is a done deal by any means, but if there's not a public arena option, the profit margin for the team owners starts shrinking rapidly. I don't know if David Stern would force Clay et al to stay if they were any arena deal or if it has to be economically lucrative for the owners.

We haven't heard anything from Margarita Prentice in a while, either. Does anyone expect her to rear her head? What happened to the land in Renton?

Margarita is yesterday's news. She was reprimanded as was Renton, so dont expect to hear ANYTHING from her nor anyone else in the state government!!!

Im positive that IF a private arena is worked out, Bennett will sell the franchise at some point - probably after next year. There is NO POINT for Bennett to keep a franchise in a "foreign city" where he can not make a positive return on his investment.

And since there is ONLY one possible private plan at this point which Bennett arguably would reject anyways due to its location. ....

It really all does rest with the city of Seattle at this point. And that means, break the lease, since there is NOTHING the city of Seattle can do since I-91 tied their hands (ie an arena can not be built in city of Seattle)!

Bennett is a schrewed businessman who set this up in motion from the beginning.

Like I said, Bennett is not from Seattle - so why the heck would he fund an arena for US (in Washington) just because he bought the Sonics?? In fact, he overpaid for the franchises - so that should definitely tell anyone with two cents worth of a brain that either Washington builds him a public facility so he can gain a return on his investment OR he will take his investment to his hometown where he doesn't even care what they make!!!

Get it. If they remain in Seattle - they are an investment; whereas taking them to OKC - who cares what they make, it adds to OKC's quality of life and attractions.

Like I said, Bennett is from Oklahoma City!!!!!!!

It may not be a "done deal" yet, but it is 14.5 weeks away from it!

Not only did Clay Bennett set this whole thing in motion but I believe it was probably with the full knowledge and blessing of the commish himself. I would not want to be on David Stern's bad side for sure.