New PI article where the Mayor and Dep. Mayor pretty much admit the lease can be broken...Also shoots down the Muckleshoots proposal...Effectively killing Seattle's last option

Fat lady is about to come up on stage

Sonics definitely moving -- but not very far
Nickels says Bennett can opt out of KeyArena lease early
By GREG JOHNS
P-I REPORTER

Ready or not, the Sonics are indeed picking up and moving next week -- to a new office location in downtown Seattle.

The Sonics and Storm business headquarters are being shifted Monday to the 10th floor of the Washington Mutual Tower on Third Avenue, about a mile and a half south of their current office at 351 Elliott Ave. W.

The team will have 22,000 square feet of space in the WaMu building, about the same as its current set-up, according to team spokesman Tom Savage. The reason for the move is a lower lease price, with the new ownership group expecting to save $400,000 a year.

Of course, the slightly larger question is what city the Sonics will be calling home after the coming season. Majority owner Clay Bennett has issued an Oct. 31 ultimatum for Seattle to come up with an arena solution and further stirred that situation this week by calling upon Mayor Greg Nickels to garner support among local business and political leaders to find an answer.

While Nickels has said he's open to reworking the KeyArena lease or partnering with the Sonics on improvements in that facility, Bennett clearly is interested only in a new multi-purpose facility in the area.

Nickels was unavailable for comment Friday afternoon, according to his spokesman, but went on KJR-AM/950 earlier and acknowledged that Bennett's group could get out of its KeyArena lease before 2010.

Asked what he'd do if Bennett asks out of the lease, Nickels repeated his assertion that he intends to make the Sonics play out their term, but noted, "In my business, you never want to say never."

Deputy mayor Tim Ceis told the Seattle P-I last month that every lease is open to negotiations between its two parties and the city's primary intent will be to be made whole financially if the Sonics do choose to flee the Key early. Nickels noted Friday there are no iron-clad lease agreements.

"What we've seen with other teams is that even if you have a lease, there are ways for them to finagle their way out of it," Nickels told KJR. "I don't have control if they go to court and say we've offered them full value for that lease, I'm not sure I have that hammer. The hammer I have we'll use. We don't intend to make it easy for them to leave early or even in 2010. Let's face it. This is a civic asset. But we don't have complete control over that."

Meanwhile, Bennett continues to say he has no interest in KeyArena as a future site for his Sonics. He also went on KJR on Friday and again ruled out the Sonics' current home as a viable NBA home while also noting he feels the Muckleshoot property in Auburn is too far south of Seattle, though he remains open to their proposals.

And while Nickels might want to talk about KeyArena prospects when the two parties get together in the next week or so, Bennett sounds more interested in discussing the lease and what it will take to legally get out of that arrangement

"We need to tee that up," he said. "We need to understand where we sit on that and have candid conversations. ... We will not break the lease, whatever that term means. We won't move in the middle of the night or do anything outside of legal parameters."

Meanwhile, Bennett told his hometown newspaper, the Oklahoman, that if he files for relocation, he will move the team to Oklahoma City and not previously mentioned possibilities such as Kansas City or Las Vegas.

As for his attempt Thursday to raise the profile of his negotiations by contacting Nickels and meeting with Seattle newspapers in his one-day stop in Seattle?

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

From another PI article

He and his fellow investors paid $350 million for a franchise that was valued at $268 million by Forbes in January. That franchise, mired in a faltering NBA economic system, is losing money -- $20 million last season, according to Bennett, forcing a cash call among the investors. Relocation fees and buying out the lease could cost ownership $50 million or more.

I see many folks on the Seattle forums talking about how much money these guys have already spent and that they can't afford to break the lease and move to OKC blah blah blah

Let's see...There are 8 owners with what a combined net worth of at least 5 billion?

Since they supposedly overpaid by $80 mil then

Worst case.....$80 + $20 + $60 = $160 million

$160 Million isn't anything to sneeze at, but come on..Wouldn't exactly cripple these guys

The posters and some journalists over there keep trying to peg all these costs on Bennett and it just ain't so

The idea that the franchise is "worth more in Seattle" is something that these owners care NOTHING about. They WILL get a return on their investment. The team WILL be here for decades.

Their interest in buying the franchise was to "get a team for Oklahoma City", it never had much to do with its relative worth in one market or another. FYI, the expansion fee in the NBA is in excess of $300 million, so it's not like they overpaid by that much, particularly considering that they wish to move the team anyway. Not to mention that price tag came with a WNBA team, which will do quite well here in the summer time.

It just blows my mind that people in Seattle and commentators elsewhere continually insist that the "team is worth more in a bigger market like Seattle." The owners just don't care.

Unless you're selling a team, it's worth doesn't matter. When you're ready to sell, the only thing that affects worth is the team's mobility. For instance, if the Hornets were for sale and David Stern said they had to remain in New Orleans, then the amount a purchaser would be willing to pay would be far less than if said owner could move them to another market presumed to be better. The San Jose businessman who wanted to buy the Sonics was willing to pay $425 million, but wanted the right to move them to San Jose included. He wasn't willing to pay anything to keep them in Seattle. So, if the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City, their worth would be immaterial unless the ownership group wanted to sell the team and wasn't allowed to move them. The last expansion team (Charlotte) cost $300 million so the $350 million Bennett et al paid is probably not far off the price they would have had to pay for an expansion team, were one available.

When you look at values of teams on the Forbes' site, size of the city is not a determinant for team revenue as much as you would think. Making the playoffs seems to be one of the biggest factors, probably because those game tickets sell at a higher price, the games are usually sold out, and I'm sure there's extra media money given to those teams for game broadcasting. The Spurs have consistently been in the higher part of the valuation list, and usually much higher than bigger cities, presumably because of how good they've been for a while and the loyalty of their fan base right now. The Sonics have been losers recently, despite Seattle being twice as big as San Antonio. I presume this is due to their lousy lease and lack of recent playoff status.

$350 million plus whatever it takes to relocate the team (which certainly would be offset by incentives and immediate profits) is the proverbial drop in the bucket compared to what all the owners have invested in Oklahoma City and businesses located there.

Just last week, Tom Ward mentioned how the NBA would be a huge value-added proposition for OKC and specifically for the millions he just spent on downtown real estate.

As I said it the time, that transaction told me that Ward feels very confident about moving the Sonics here soon.

And I honestly think...

That when Bennett meets with the city of Seattle in a week or so, that he will definitely be negotiating a way out of the lease with Key Arena.

BUT, I also think he may be negotiating a way out THIS YEAR!!!!!! There is NO guarantee that the Sonics MUST play in Seattle for 2007, he ONLY agreed to try to work a solution for Seattle thru Oct 31.

Here is what I think COULD happen, Bennett negotiates under a closed agreement, that IF nothing comes to the table by Oct 31 - he will seek to move the team immediately and that 2007 would be part of the buyout package, which no doubt will be lucrative for the city.

I think, leaving the name Supersonics, with Seattle will be huge. But of course, if this is the case then a move to OKC probalby would have to wait until after this year.

:congrats: With a major league team (two of them in fact), OKC definitely moves into Tier II status - forever!!!!

Of course, there is also the idea of a split year - where Seattle gets the games prior to the All Star game then OKC would get the rest! Now come to think of it, I think this is even more possible than not because it would not mean a typical 'lame duck' year in the losing city.

I dunno, I just think ANYTHING is possible. And like was said, there is no guarantee that the market value of a team in Seattle would be higher than in OKC. The Hornets were worth far more when they were based in OKC than the Sonics in Seattle are. ...

And like was said above, Bennett probably doesn't care either way because HE AINT selling!! This will be Oklahoma City's major league franchise for the next 'forever'!!!

And if the Sonics/Storm effect on OKC is what is anticipated, OKC may not be done with its major league sports franchises. Right now, Metro OKC is 1.3M people and will have one team. I bet, once Metro OKC gets to 2M then OKC goes after another league, perhaps NFL or MLB.

Whatever the case, OKC is DEFINITELY on the upside here - 95% is the likelihood I give to the Sonics relocating to OKC in 2008. Now when in 2008, that's the question. ...

Perhaps the legislators don't have time to discuss a new arena because they're dealing with more important issues.

Gay partners make it official

By Andrew Garber
Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — Richard Sturgill and James Malatak showed up at the Secretary of State's Office at 4 a.m. Monday — four hours before the doors opened.

They didn't intend to be first in line to register as domestic partners under a new state law. They wanted to avoid the rush later on.

"We just wanted to get in today," said Sturgill, 53, a nurse from Seattle.

More than 100 gay and lesbian couples took advantage of the new law Monday that gives them some of the rights granted to married couples, including the right to visit a partner in the hospital, inherit a partner's property without a will and make funeral arrangements.

Couples also can register by mail.

To qualify, couples must file an affidavit of domestic partnership with the Secretary of State's Office. The state then gives them a certificate with a state seal, and plastic cards that say, "State registered domestic partnership" and lists their names. On the back it cites the chapter where the law can be viewed.

No protesters were on hand Monday, but the Rev. Joe Fuiten, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God church in Bothell and a prominent opponent of same-sex marriage, sent out a statement opposing the law.

"God's law is established in the male-female relationship," he said. "When the state acts to replace the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the Legislature, we are headed for an uncertain future, and that is putting the best face on it."

Unmarried heterosexual couples in which at least one partner is 62 or older also can register as domestic partners. Lawmakers say older heterosexuals were included because they face the possibility of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry after a spouse dies.

Outside the Secretary of State's Office on Monday, people were in a festive mood. By the time the door opened at 8 a.m., a line of couples stretched around the corner.

There were men in suits, women in wedding veils and cars festooned with signs that read: "Just registered!" One woman in a wedding dress stood through the sunroof of a car waving as it sped through downtown with its horns blaring.

"We love hanging out with other people. It's a celebration for us," said Barbara Gibson, 77, who was there with her partner, Carol McKinley, 67, of Olympia.

McKinley, echoing the sentiments expressed by many couples Monday, said that in addition to extending important rights to gays and lesbians, the new law is a symbolic victory for them as well.

"It represents to the people that the state itself is recognizing the importance of these couples," she said. "I think it's important just for social acceptance and validation of our acceptance."

Sturgill and Malatak agreed.

"This is our state," said Malatak, 65, who is retired. "I don't want anything other people don't have; I just want to be one of the guys."

Andrew Garber: 360-943-9882

or agarber@seattletimes.com

including the right to visit a partner in the hospital, inherit a partner's property without a will and make funeral arrangements.

OH MY GOD! The horror! What is this country coming to?! What will happen to all of our kids!


When the state acts to replace the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the Legislature, we are headed for an uncertain future, and that is putting the best face on it.

Bam. There it is. The legislature is supposed to enforce God's law. Radical theocrats trying to make our country look more like the middle east as we try to make the middle east more like we say we are here.

Oh well, I guess the guy couldn't get it done within his own religion, so now he needs to go to the state instead of God.

Oh boy.

Time to get this thread back on track quick. The last two posts definitely are misplaced.

Here's something interesting and semi-NBA related, from Orlando. They have an arena vote on the ballots for this upcoming Thursday:
_______________

AMWAY ARENA
Say goodbye to the Orlando Magic basketball team. Magic owner Rich DeVos is not threatening to leave town if commissioners vote no on Thursday, but you have to be naive to believe the team won't flee if a new arena isn't built.

It's simple economics. Team officials say they are losing millions of dollars each year in Orlando because the arena is too small and does not provide the premium luxury boxes that make teams the most money. It's the same reason Orlando loses big concerts, such as the reunion tour of '80s icon The Police, to Tampa and Miami. Bands and their promoters can make more money in bigger arenas with luxury seats.

Imagine the Oklahoma City Magic going deep into the 2011 NBA playoffs while Orlando's arena sits as empty as a doughnut hole in the middle of downtown. After that embarrassment, you can forget Orlando landing another major sports team.


Orlando deserves better (with video) -- OrlandoSentinel.com (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed22107jul22,0,1583101.story)

Any sport other than football typically dosen't do well in Florida. There are so many other things to do, going to a NBA(Magic) game or MLB(Marlins) game just dosen't rank up there with other entertainmet possibilities. When I lived in Oklahoma I went to a lot of NBA games because there wasn't a whole lot else to do on a winter night in OKC. Now that I'm back in Florida, NBA ranks behind a lot of other things I'd rather do.

I agree Jwil, people please keep the religiouos 'right wing' rhetoric away from this thread.

Aside. ..

Legislators are NOT supposed to enforce "God's Law", they are supposed to decide on the law of the people who elect them. Get that straight.

But yes, we (in Washington) do have other things to focus on as in our society (inculding Gays) and we aren't afraid or ashamed of it.

"What is this world coming to..." - its becoming a fair and equal place where people who love each other share the same rights and responsibilities and are held accordingly regardless of their race, creed, sex, or orientation.

In all fairness, Oklahoma is always a little behind the times but Im sure you all will get there.

end aside, now back to Sonics.

Left wing rhetoric is ok though, right Hot Rod?

naah, something in the middle. That way, everyone is included.

Dangit Hot Rod, I was going to leave you alone until this part...



In all fairness, Oklahoma is always a little behind the times but Im sure you all will get there.

You make it sound like the rest of the country is okay with gay marriage and Oklahoma is some backwater holdout.

It's crazy this is such a big topic. We need to worry about other more pressing issues.

(I realize I just kinda helped to re-open the threadjack, but oh well. This thread is like 30000000000 pages long. Why do we have to keep posting OKC/NBA stuff in here anyway?)

Are there any lawyers around here to discuss the lease? A;so. the Save Our Sonics group has started another group: A Deal is a Deal. They're trying to get enough signatures to put the issue of a lease buyout on the ballot.

Yeah I read that on the PI this morning...My thinking is the lease may already be broken before they even get it on the ballot in February....Bennett and co. will be looking to get this done as quickly as possible and will be ready to pay big bucks to do so

I don't know about paying the big bucks happily, since we're a smaller market with no assurance of long term success. The SOS and Citizens for More Important Things shenanigans may make Clay mad, which probably works in our favor, but I wouldn't assume it's all a done deal. There are many things which could happen between now and next November that could have an affect on whether the Sonics move here. I'm not counting my chickens.

Absolutely Betts...Not counting on it either...My post was just assuming nothing substantial pops up over the next three months

Of course my banking experience gives me all kinds of insight into owning sports teams and negotiating leases :LolLolLol

Wonder what others who may be a little more informed about it feel about how long the negotiations might take (If they take place at all)...Know it would be complete guesswork, but are we talking 2 to 3 months?

Absolutely Betts...Not counting on it either...My post was just assuming nothing substantial pops up over the next three months

Of course my banking experience gives me all kinds of insight into owning sports teams and negotiating leases :LolLolLol

Wonder what others who may be a little more informed about it feel about how long the negotiations might take (If they take place at all)...Know it would be complete guesswork, but are we talking 2 to 3 months?

Oh.. your dad didn't teach you everything there is to know about owning sports teams and negotiating leases?

What a deprived childhood :(

I had to respond to JWil

as far as the OK commentary I had, I was born and raised there - so I know. And I know OK is trying to change and become more progressive which is good.

But I do still see that old habits die hard and the marriage comments above had to be addressed. For one thing, these people who were attacked even here ARE an active portion of the economy and your city, and they dont pick on you - so why the crass comment on marriage of two people who love each other??

Regardless of what they do or practice on their own time, they should not be discriminated and it should not be tolerated, esp by using the church/God.

As for the Sonics

the SOS is just a despirate last attempt by a few Sonics fans and they haven't even really gotten very much support, I think only a few hundred people online.

They are trying to get people to sign outside of Mariner games but ....

honestly, nobody here cares!

While I agree that we shouldn't jump to the gun, Clay obviously wanted to move the Sonics to OKC all along, so none of his actions should be a surprise, much less to Oklahomans. I guess you guys are somewhat used to being used as a pawn,

But think back on ALL of the other dealings, where OKC WAS in fact a pawn. The OWNER or Corporation was NOT located in Oklahoma City, but Bennett and the Pro BBall LLC which owns the Sonics and Storm ARE!!!

And notice, that Bennett said KC and Vegas were "options being investigated" just to keep people off his back - NOW he said KC can't hang with OKC and that OKC is the ONLY market right now which could guarantee profitability!!!!

While I agree, may not be a done deal yet - but I'd say its 99% and less than 14 weeks to go. ...

Sonics, Storm still at odds with city over arena


August 2, 2007
SEATTLE (TICKER) -- It looks as if the Seattle SuperSonics (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/sea/;_ylt=ArU.._zJXAc2sQDtzvXXs_TcvrYF) will be looking for a new home.

SuperSonics chairman Clay Bennett announced Tuesday that the franchise is not interested in renovating KeyArena, which has hosted the team for over a decade.

KeyArena, which also is the home of the WNBA's Seattle Storm (http://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/teams/sea/;_ylt=ApD8qxHUZ3xEFC8pBv3HR5XcvrYF), opened in October 1995, but ownership has made it clear in the past few years that it wants a new arena to keep up with the rest of the league.

The city of Seattle, however, has not cooperated. And according to Bennett, the franchises will not accept anything less than a new venue.

"In issuing our call to action last month, we were hopeful the mayor would use his regional leadership platform to rally support for a solution," Bennett said in a statement. "Instead, he focused on old unworkable concepts that are not acceptable.
"It is clear that if all we have to discuss is the renovation of KeyArena, then a meeting with the mayor will not be productive or necessary."

The Sonics do have some leverage in the situation thanks to the arrival of 18-year-old phenom Kevin Durant (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4244/;_ylt=Av0yh08CwUMCZysiDhaDGl_cvrYF) after this June's draft. The much-hyped scoring machine figures to help resurrect the Sonics not only with his play on the court but with his marketability off it.

As a result, the team wants a sparkling new home for its brand new star.
"We have been clear since July 18, 2006, the day the sale of the Sonics and Storm was announced, that KeyArena is not an option as a future home for the teams,"

Bennett said. "We stated at that time that we would work diligently towards the development of a successor venue."

But if no agreement can be reached, there are always other options. Oklahoma City, which hosted the New Orleans Hornets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/nor/;_ylt=AgUxdbP6.dNhGLn6kNjFxDXcvrYF) for parts of the past two seasons, is a viable solution.

The city earned a reputation as an enthusiastic spot for a professional team, selling out nearly every contest at the Ford Center.

In light of the NBA's recent gambling scandal, Las Vegas, the home of last season's All-Star Game, also is a longshot. But Bennett, for his part, is willing to work things out with Seattle if it is interested.

"We can only hope that business, civic and elected leadership can step up quickly and offer real solutions to help build a new building," he said. "We stand ready to engage in those discussions."

Sonics, Storm still at odds with city over arena - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=txsupersonicsarena&prov=st&type=lgns)

Key Arena was originally built in 1983. The facility had a massive renovation completed in 1995, costing over $100 million.

That basically means if the Sonics relocate to Oklahoma City, the local taxpayers can expect to cough up several hundred million dollars to replace the still brand new Ford Center is just a few years. Gotta "keep up" with the way how taxpayers in other major cities are getting bent over.

Professional, for-profit, sports businesses are going to get a wake up call in the coming years handed to them by angry tax payers. These stadiums are getting ever more outrageously expensive and strangely having shorter and shorter life spans.

Any building that costs $100 million (or several times that figure now) should be able to stand for several decades -not just a mere 10 years or so.

Few arenas and stadiums manage to be built using only private funds. Most pro sports franchises expect taxpayers to foot the bill. Basically it is socialized construction to satisfy the extravagant whims of a few rich business people. Taxpayers aren't going to put up with this kind of abuse forever.

With the I-35W bridge collapse putting the spotlight on this nation's crumbling infrastructure the act of funding pro sports arenas with taxpayer dollars seems ever more inappropriate. This nation really needs to get its priorities straight.

Why not just renovate and add lotsa amenities to the Ford Center? What in the world would we do with the Ford Center if another huge arena was built downtown?

Key Arena was originally built in 1983. The facility had a massive renovation completed in 1995, costing over $100 million.

That basically means if the Sonics relocate to Oklahoma City, the local taxpayers can expect to cough up several hundred million dollars to replace the still brand new Ford Center is just a few years. Gotta "keep up" with the way how taxpayers in other major cities are getting bent over.

Professional, for-profit, sports businesses are going to get a wake up call in the coming years handed to them by angry tax payers. These stadiums are getting ever more outrageously expensive and strangely having shorter and shorter life spans.

Any building that costs $100 million (or several times that figure now) should be able to stand for several decades -not just a mere 10 years or so.

Few arenas and stadiums manage to be built using only private funds. Most pro sports franchises expect taxpayers to foot the bill. Basically it is socialized construction to satisfy the extravagant whims of a few rich business people. Taxpayers aren't going to put up with this kind of abuse forever.

With the I-35W bridge collapse putting the spotlight on this nation's crumbling infrastructure the act of funding pro sports arenas with taxpayer dollars seems ever more inappropriate. This nation really needs to get its priorities straight.

Several things:

1. The Key was opened in 1962 as the Seattle Center Coliseum. KeyArena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KeyArena)

2. The MAPs Arena (aka Ford Center) was designed, built and planned to be a short-term stopgap to attract an NBA or NHL team to OKC. That's it. It was never planned to be a 50-year arena solution for OKC. The thinking was: "If we build it and someone comes, we'll build something top-notch 5-10 years down the line after they get here. If not, we have a very nice arena for concerts, NCAA, etc." So this part of things isn't a surprise. When Core to Shore is rolled into MAPs3 (my prediction anyway), it will have plans for a new arena. That's always been in the works. And after the Hornets success, it's a certainty. I expect a new arena in OKC by 2015.

3. OKC Taxpayers will put up with this "abuse," because MAPs and MFK passed and have been a huge success. MAPs3 will overwhelmingly pass, because it'll include a new arena, probably another convention center and the south downtown master plan to eat up the space created from the I-40 relocation.

I figure it this way: If I have to pay taxes to support folks on welfare and never making an attempt to get off, I'll gladly pay taxes to sit in a great sports arena. I'm more angry about socialized welfare programs than building things for the benefit of a city.

Total agreement JWill. I just hope the average Joe will keep this in mind.

Why not just renovate and add lotsa amenities to the Ford Center? What in the world would we do with the Ford Center if another huge arena was built downtown?
To put it as simple as possible, the Ford Center CAN'T be what it needs to be. No amount of renovation, short of literally raising the roof and everything from just below Club Level, can make the Ford Center into a modern-day NBA arena. We would want the building to last at least 20 years, and in the NBA economy, the Ford Center can't cut it for even the 1st year of a long-term deal. No amount of marble floors and self-flushing toilets could do what the arena needs.

MAPS 1 was just to catch up with other peer cities. MAPS 3 will put us in the lead.

The thing i hate most about this idea of building a new arena is that it would mean it would no longer be in its current location. I can't think of a better location. It's easily accessible from every major downtown district, even by Oklahoma standards.

Yes, but I think the agreed upon solution is to have MAPs3 include the new arena...but not have it scheduled to be built until after a new convention center is built. That way we can tear down the Myriad and have a good large lot for a full sized facility and also have them next door still. It's really a win win because once I-40 is gone, they can add the better entry facade on the south side of the Ford Center and then still make it so that the convention center at least has the possibility of being close to the arenas.

Well, I understand that any new arena will be used for the Sonics and maybe other headline events, but still my question remains. What are we going to do with two 20,000 seat arenas "across the street from eachother?"

I would think that a new arena would mean the Cox is no longer with us. Either it will be done away with as part of a remodel of the convention center or the Cox Convention Center as a whole will no longer be with us. So, the Ford will serve the purpose of the Cox now. It will house the Blazers and events that don't need the more upscale venue.

Although I'm not a big believer in arenas being huge money generators for a city if it has a professional team, the one exception to that rule is if we have events that bring people from other cities to Oklahoma City. Events like the Big Twelve Tournament over time probably generate enough out of town revenue to pay for an inexpensive arena like the Ford.

For a new arena, you have to look at what a professional team will do for the city, as much, if not more, than how much revenue it will generate. Having a professional NBA team puts your city on ESPN at least 81 nights a year. Your city is part of many of the news articles that are written about the NBA in general. You join that elite group of cities considered professional team worthy. You can't buy that kind of advertising for $89 million dollars. I firmly believe it makes a city more attractive to new business and college graduates with professional degrees or skills the city needs. I think an NBA team is just what OKC needs to take the next step into a higher tier.

Let's not forget Clay Bennett is the real reason that the Key arena is unaceptable. He wants to bring the team to his hometown of Okla City. If he truly wanted to stay then something would get worked out somewhere down the line.

Bennett wants to move it is that simple.

This is good for Okc, let's not get caught up in thinking that the Ford Center isn't good enough in just a couple of years. With a few upgrades the Ford Center will be home to an NBA team for many years to come as long as Bennett is the owner.

Exactly what we did this last spring Luke, only on a bigger scale. Attract more large events. We hosted the BIG 12 Basketball Championships both men and women. The men played in the Ford and the women in the Cox Center. The Cox Center will not cut it. As someone said, we're just now catching up to our peer cities, we need a MAPS3 if we're ever going to get ahead. These huge sporting events, Big 12, NCAA tournaments, etc. love to have venues next to each other as well as close to entertainment districts and hotels. OKC would be foolish not to use money to upgrade the Ford Center immediately when we land an NBA team and already be planning to build a new arena in the next few years.

Interesting stuff...

I don't see why the Ford Center can't be upgraded?

okclee, I agree with you, Bennett is wanting to move the NBA to OKC priority #1. I do think you're fooling yourself however if you don't think he'll demand a new arena be on the table within 5 years and not have it built by 2015. He'll demand/expect immediate upgrades to the Ford Center as soon as we get a franchise.

betts, totally agree with you. FYI the Ford Center is already paid off, we will have to upgrade immediately after getting an NBA franchise however.

betts, totally agree with you. FYI the Ford Center is already paid off, we will have to upgrade immediately after getting an NBA franchise however.

Can't believe I forgot that! I agree that we need immediate upgrades. The floor needs to be something other than concrete, the bathrooms don't need to look like they're at Walmart. We need at least one nicer restaurant and the Ice House needs to at least be finished. We need new video screens and a sound system, and rumor has it the locker rooms need to be improved significantly.

I was in Boston a few weeks ago and toured the Fleet Center (Now Banknorth Center or some such name). The walls were painted cinder block and the visitors locker rooms were nothing special. But they had granite tile on the floors on the first floor and carpet on the second. They had one nice restaurant with linen table cloths and a pub style restaurant for season ticket holders. The biggest difference was that they had two rows of luxury suites, totalling about a hundred, but the arena actually seats about 700 less than the Ford Center. It was nothing like AA Arena in Dallas, but definitely nicer than the Ford. Nothing there, with the exception of the extra 50 luxury boxes, though, couldn't easily be done to the Ford, probably for a reasonably small amount of money. Rather than going all out on the Ford Center, I'd like to put some of that money towards a new arena.

Mick Cornett has been very upfront about us needing a new arena. I suspect he's talked to Clay on numerous occasions, as well as David Stern. He's been emphatic about a new arena and a practice facility, and I'm sure he's hearing we need one from them.

at least 81-ESPN nights plus the network's mentioning of OKC ____. PLUS

A WNBA team which means that OKC would have major league sports events YEAR ROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What to do with Ford once the new sparkling arena ist built? Who knows, we'll pass that bridge when we get there.

But right now, clay wants the franchise here which means OKC will get an NBA and WNBA team in a year!!! Plain and simple.

I dont care what those crazy Sonics fans say about Seattle's size, market, tradition, bla bla bla. A guy from OKC bought the franchise, and in order to remain in Seattle - we (Seattleites) have to build him a worthy arena. Perhaps its an excuse, probably - but that is fact. And since we AINT gonna do it, OKC gets the franchise.

Now, what I recommend we do with the Cox - tear it down after a brand new state-of-the-art convention center (as in being able to host a national convention) ist built in the Core-to-Shore/Bricktown boundary area. This could tie into the rr tracks so that access is readily available. Tearing down the Cox will open up 4 city square blocks to expand the CBD with skyscrapers.

Along with building the convention center, we'd then build the state-of-the-art arena with the intent to last 20+ years (then with upgrades, perhaps longer). We could build it on the other side of the new boulevard, facing Ford. So, perhaps the steps might be greater than 58 but still should be less than 100!!

Building them facing each other just creates an ATMOSPHERE of a Big City that you know 'something is going on here. ...' I liken it to how in Seattle, we have our two stadiums - Qwest Field (NFL) and Safeco Field (MLB) right next to each other but the street separating the two is weak! Having a major downtown boulevard like the one which will replace I-40 inbetween the two arenas just makes the whole area become a landmark attraction!!!

So, 1) build the convention center, preferably on the other side of EK Gaylord and/or the rr tracks. Perhaps we could even make the Convention Center "hover" over the tracks .. so that part of it is accessible on the EK Gaylord (Core-to-Shore) side and the main part is in the new Bricktown part - maybe even running toward the canal (now that would be SWEET!!!! Expecially with LOTS of GLASS and flanked by highrise hotels!!! Oh boy......

2) build the new arena. This time, well spend $250M (vs. $89M + 50M for upgrades) and get an arena which looks in quality like BOK but is very large and functional like the United Center in Chicago. Perhaps by then (im guessing 2015??), Kevin Durant is almost as iconic as Michael Jordan (nobody can ever top MJ, sorry) and CP3 also takes prominence as an OKC player - we make statues of them in front of the arena. Speaking of which, the arena is constructed on the other side of I-40 from Ford Center (so it could be built while I-40/new downtown boulevard work is happening). Part of the Ford Center upgrade included expanding the south facade, so once the new boulevard is built; the two arenas facing each other becomes a landmark (perhaps a world one at that. ...).

3) once we have the new convention center built and the new arena is close to finish, we could then raze the Cox. Im sorry, but we should spend NO MORE $$ on upgrading it. the West and East sides of it are eyesores, and it would cost way too much to "FIX" the Cox.

4) Besides, we need to grow the CBD in its original footprint and by removing the cox we would gain 4-square blocks. We could line the robinson side with highrise apts / hotels so that the Myriad Gardens has somewhat of a Central Park feel to it. And since there are already hotels in this area but they really are not Convention Hotels (which will be built next to the new convention center anyways [hopefully no less than 2000 rooms]), the existing hotels would just become downtown business hotels, which are also needed!!!

5) Now all of this is built and we've extended the Myriad Gardens, built the kick-a** convention center and new arena, created the new space as part of the core-to-shore, built the downtown trolley circular tying it all together and the first line of commuter rail, and by now (2016?) experienced a HUGE population and corporate jump due to the 8-year publicity of the city's successful NBA and WNBA franchise, the city has a metro pop approaching 2M so now we can have a MAPS IV discussion for an NFL downtown stadium. The idea is, across the new arena toward the new I-40, land exists which should be where the new stadium is built. We should demand a stadium no smaller than 62,000 - state-of-the-art with retractable roof and all amenities. Having the stadium, new arena, and Ford Center in a line right next to each other with the Convention Center on the other side of the line created by all three; creates a big city Stadium district!!! In this subsection of core-to-shore, there would be tons restaurants that would have been generated from all of this public investment. And with the addition of the new stadium, OKC now joins the Upper Tier II ranking and FINALLY gets the top prize - an NFL team in football crazy country. Heck no would the team COMPETE with OU, not at all - OU plays on every other Saturday in the Fall and the NFL plays on Sundays, sometimes on Thursdays, Mondays, and the occasional Friday (and Sat/playoffs). Since OKC would now have the perverbial 2M mark reached and all of this going on - the NFL would DIE to come here and establish a great rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys, Houston whoevertheyare, Denver Broncos, and KC and STL's teams, not to mention the New Orleans Saints (if they're still around). Talk about regional rivalry, this would be the greatest since the city's NBA and WNBA teams came in and created the frenzy with Dallas Mavericks, Houston, San Antonio, and the Hornets!!

Oh, WRWA builds the East Concourse in 2010 because in 2007 they break the 4M mark and OKC continues to get point-to-point flights and even some as mainliners. This is one of the reasons for the increase in companies relocating to business friendly OKC as well; so WRWA builds the Center Concourse, completing the T pattern in its terminal configuration. Oh, and now OKC has nonstop international flights to Vancouver, Toronto, London, Mexico City, and several other places where there are stong population and/or corporate ties. MAPS 4 also creates a new comprehensive transportation system that expands on tha which begun under Maps III, so that now commute patterns are established for the over 120,000 downtown CBD workforce, not including the 70,000 in the Oklahoma Health Center and St. Anthony medical corridor, and the 40,000 state employees. Oklahoma City has become in effect, the new and IMPROVED Dallas complete with an identity of its own and a mind for success. In 2015, everyone in the country has at least heard good things about OKC and nobody would ever contrive OKC as being backwater, its funny because people now - in 2015, just laugh at all of the hassle that took place in 2007 with regard to the Sonics, who actually are back in Seattle as a new Franchise (since Seattle built an arena finally).

Oh, it sometimes PAYS to dream!!!!

Would the NFL really make a push to come here since there are so many teams you just mentioned in the region?

The plot thickens as things take another interesting turn.



Sonics Insider (http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/sonics)

Gov. Chris Gregoire, shown above, plans to reach out to Sonics chairman Clay Bennett to discuss plans for a new arena in the Seattle area, according to a state senator.
Those plans took a turn for the worse on Thursday, when Bennett and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels traded jabs through the media.
The verbal sparring came a day after Nickels said if the Sonics ownership group committed $100 million to building a new arena or remodeling KeyArena, he would find public resources to help get the project done.
Bennett, seizing on the remodeling aspect of Nickels’ statement, said a discussion on remodeling KeyArena would not be productive or necessary.
Nickels essentially said if Bennett wanted to limit the discussion to a buyout of the KeyArena lease, then he shouldn’t bother coming to Seattle.
Gregoire, according to spokesperson Holly Armstrong, reiterated her support for keeping the Seattle SuperSonics and the Storm, but did not comment specifically on the arena situation.
However, Sen. Margarita Prentice said she spoke with Gregoire at a fundraiser in Renton on Thursday, and that Gregoire said she planned to set up a conference call with Bennett in the next few days in order to discuss the possibility of building a new arena in the Seattle area.
“This will be conversation involving people who are serious about addressing the arena situation,” Prentice said. “I just feel she’s got her heart and soul in this. She really wants to keep them here.”
Prentice, who championed Bennett’s failed attempt in Olympia last session to secure $300 million in public funds for a $500 million new arena in Renton, still believes that Bennett wants to keep the Sonics in Seattle.
She said Bennett made an error in thinking Nickels could be the point man in putting an arena package together.
“He assumed that Mayor Nickels is some kind of regional leader who would bring local leaders together and include other communities,” Prentice said. “That was a serious misperception.
“This is the second owner who has made it very clear that KeyArena is not only not suitable, but it is impossible. Clay Bennett has been very direct. And so has Howard Schultz. And people get angry when they get told the truth. But I very much want to see basketball remain here.”
State auditor Brian Sonntag said he’s still willing to act as a facilitator in bringing groups together to discuss putting together an arena deal.
And he would like to see the war of words end.
“I guess what’s so disappointing to me is to listen to these guys talk at each other from 1,000 miles apart rather than talk with each other in the same room,” Sonntag said. “I don’t know whose fault it is and I don’t care whose fault it is. I would rather see them working toward a solution.”
Also on Friday the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe released a progress report on a feasibility study to look at a potential new arena in Auburn next to Emerald Downs.
Brailsford and Dunlavey, a Washington, D.C. firm that specializes in facility planning and program management, is performing the study.
According to the report, a preliminary analysis indicates that Seattle is a strong NBA market. Also, a drive-time analysis shows little difference between customers who would drive to KeyArena and a potential new facility in Auburn, according to the report.
“They are continuing the work, the progress is ongoing and we expect a full report by the end of August,” said Rollin Fatland, spokesperson for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.

Hmmm....

Interesting.

Oh good grief lets lose some of the old news.
We don't need to keep old posts past 6 months.

A new basketball specific stadium in OKC would be a lot cheaper than the $500,000,000 multi-purpose arena Bennette proposed for Seattle. I suspect it would be half of that price or lower.

OK guys, this is going to piss you off. Take a look at what was written by CBS Sportsline columnist Gregg Doyel, my response to him is next. Notice how he is trying to use MLB as a precursor to the what the NBA will do (yet if he had used NBA references, he would have not had a story to begin with [since NBA teams move all of the time, and to 'small' markets]):

Oklahoma City Sonics? Hornets? Not gonna happen - CBS SportsLine.com (http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9573738)


Oklahoma City Sonics? Hornets? Not gonna happen
July 27, 2006
By Gregg Doyel
CBS SportsLine.com National Columnist
Tell Gregg your opinion!

NBA groupie Oklahoma City will get its heart broken by the SuperSonics and Hornets, and the only people who don't know it are those who live in Oklahoma City.

At the moment Oklahoma City looks good for an NBA franchise by 2008, whether it's the Hornets, who adopted OKC as a second home after Hurricane Katrina leveled New Orleans, or the Sonics, who were purchased last week by an OKC group.

Well, looks deceive. So do professional franchises and owners and leagues, all of whom use one city against another. In this scenario OKC is the city that's going to get used. With history for bifocals, you can see Oklahoma City's depressing destiny from a long way off. The innocent folks of OKC? They can't see anything. They're too close to the situation, too involved, blinded by lust.

Charlotte knows that lust. So do Tampa Bay and Washington, D.C.

Oklahoma City boosters will tell you they're different than jilted cities of the past. That they're close, so close, to getting an NBA team. The Hornets look good, considering New Orleans didn't support the team before the hurricane and can't support it now, and considering OKC fans bought more than 10,000 season tickets when the Hornets hastily moved there this past season. The Sonics look even better, considering their new ownership is led by an OKC businessman, Clay Bennett, who has been trying for years to bring home a major sports franchise.

One way or another, the NBA is coming to Oklahoma City. That's what OKC boosters believe. Last week Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel wrote, "OKC suddenly has two quarterhorses in the derby, and its permanent NBA chances never have been better. Hornets or Sonics, one or the other, almost surely will be Ford Center tenants beyond next season."

Given what you know about the situation in New Orleans and the ownership in Seattle, that sounds reasonable. Almost surely the NBA is coming to Oklahoma City.

Then again ... when it comes to a city's pursuit of a sports franchise, "almost surely" will almost always get your heart broken.

Look at Tampa Bay. Yes, Tampa Bay got its Major League Baseball team, but don't forget the torture it endured before winning the expansion Devil Rays.

When Tampa Bay investors agreed to buy the Minnesota Twins in 1984, commissioner Bowie Kuhn nixed the deal. In 1985, Tampa Bay investors agreed to buy the Oakland A's for $37 million; Oakland backed out of the deal. In 1987, Tampa Bay went after the Twins again, agreeing to buy the team for $65 million. That deal crumbled during further negotiations. In 1988, the Chicago White Sox came so close to moving to Tampa Bay that team employees were polled to see who would move South with the team. Although 60 percent said they'd move, the White Sox stayed put.

There's more.

Along the way, St. Petersburg built a $130 million stadium to turn its annual MLB flirtation into marriage, with 22,000 season tickets spoken for. In 1991, baseball rewarded Tampa Bay diligence by giving an expansion franchise to ... Miami. In 1992, St. Pete tried to buy the Seattle Mariners, but the Marlins helped throttle that by citing their need for in-state exclusivity. Later in 1992, San Francisco owner Bob Lurie agreed to sell the Giants to a Tampa Bay group, but NL owners veoted the deal.

This could be you, Oklahoma City.

You also could be Washington, D.C., which lost its MLB franchise in 1971 and spent 34 years trying to get one back. In 1973, a D.C. group agreed to buy the San Diego Padres, even choosing Frank Robinson (strange but true) as the team's next manager, but had to give the franchise back after failing to close the deal in three weeks. In 1976, baseball expanded not to the nation's capital, but to Toronto and Seattle. In 1991, with Washington, D.C., again on the list, baseball grew to Miami and Denver.


Baseball is back in RFK Stadium -- after a 34-year hiatus. (Getty Images)
In February 1995, Major League Baseball described Washington, D.C., as "a very viable candidate for expansion." Two weeks later MLB awarded teams to Tampa Bay and Phoenix. Later that year, a Washington, D.C., group agreed to buy the Houston Astros for roughly $150 million, only to have commissioner Bud Selig squash the deal.

If you're NBA groupie Oklahoma City, you're comforted that Tampa did finally get its expansion team, and Washington, D.C., did finally get the Expos. But compare those cities to OKC. No comparison, know what I mean? The sunny Tampa Bay market beats the crap out of dusty OKC. Washington, D.C., is one of the leading cities in the world, while Oklahoma City is one of the leading cities in Oklahoma.

So what'll get between NBA groupie Oklahoma City and its NBA team? No clue, but it'll be something. The Hornets and Sonics have several years left on current leases, which give their cities time on arena and infrastructure issues. The NBA could decide not to let either franchise leave its internationally known city for OKC, which would be the smallest, least diverse market in the league. Boll weevils could destroy downtown OKC.

This is not a painless process. Charlotte knows. Charlotte has been linked to almost every small-market franchise in baseball, with Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson once glumly predicting the Twins would become the Charlotte Twins. Didn't happen. Charlotte got so abused by baseball that earlier this year, when the Marlins announced plans to explore other cities and mentioned Charlotte, Charlotte basically said not to bother.

Charlotte has read this book, many times, and knows how the story ends. Could someone please send the book to Oklahoma City? Oklahoma City only knows what NBA owners are telling it.

Which means Oklahoma City doesn't know anything.




I know its a year old, but hey we can't have some national columnist publishing that sh** about OKC. That is the only way we will change people's minds/opinions - we need to address whenever we see this crap.

I wonder if old Greggie has had to eat his words since the Sonics are two months away from being relocated to OKC.??

Here is my reply to Gregg, and I encourage all of you to "Tell Gregg Your Opinion (http://www.sportsline.com/columns/writers/doyel)"


Wait a minute Gregg, Im from Seattle but I feel your article abour the OKC Hornets/Sonics situation was totally off based. Clearly, you only wrote it to placate the fans of Seattle and New Orleans.

First of all, all of the references you used were all MLB teams, not once did you mention the NBA - because if you had, you could not have written that article with any ounce of intelligence; since there have been NUMEROUS NBA teams that have moved from established international markets (such as Vancouver, the former New Orleans, Kansas City, etc) to small markets (ie. Memphis, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City), and that list goes on and on.

In the NBA, all it takes is a simple majority vote and surely Clay Bennett (and George Shinn) have a vote as well. I can only be sure that both would vote for OKC and convince a majority of the others to do so. This is the NBA, not MLB - different model dude.

The 2nd issue I have with your storey is your 'facts.' While I live in Seattle, I visit OKC occasionally for business and it is clear you have never been there. You state the dusty and lack of diversity colloquialisms with regard to OKC that are the furthest from the truth. OKC is more diverse than Memphis, SLC, and a host of other peer small markets and it certainly is not Dusty (stop reading the Grapes of Wrath dude, it was a fictional story).

If you were to visit OKC, you would realize that OKC has a large gay population (and even a district), a chinatown/little saigon area complete with over 30,000 asian people, a huge hispanic population (well over 60,000 in the city alone including a real Hispanic downtown known as Capital Hill), and numerous smaller yet significant populations from other areas around the world (Korea, China, S. America, Cuba), all add to the modern international flavor of the city. I am not saying that OKC is not relatively conservative compared to us (Seattle), but they have some positives that you totally did not know, ignored, or blatantly failed to articulate in your article. All you had to do was either visit OKC OR look it up in wikipedia; its there plain as day.

3) you mention that OKC is the smallest market, yet OKC is only a couple thousand people short of Memphis's metro pop and is actually larger than SLC. Sure, OKC's tv market is small since it is ONLY its metro area (and not like SLC which is the whole state) but consider that Tulsa, Lawton, and other Oklahoma tv markets (and some from Wichita and other 'local' areas) will surely make for an "expanded" tv market that will surely be larger than SLC (since OK is more populated than Utah).

When you couple these facts together with your apparent hatred of OKC or should I say disdain - that you would result to a Steinback novel in order to paint an image of the place rather than using the factual data of the Hornet's stay there or the fact that Clay Bennett owns the sonics, an NBA team not MLB - I find it very difficult to trust anything you have to say with your boosterism for my city or New Orleans.

Can you really, in sound mind and body, convince me that New Orleans is more viable than OKC? OKC is actually larger than New Orleans at present in case you didn't notice, and surely OKC's tv market is also. I guess you forgot that when you mis-stated that OKC would be the smallest NBA city or maybe you were thinking of Metro New Orleans pre-katrina (and even then it was only marginally larger than OKC)???

I say, next time - get your facts straight before you publish something that makes you look like the fool which you intended instead to be for the good people of OKC. I would have expected more from a national/CBS journalist; dont you have an affiliate there? I strongly suggest you stick to the facts instead of placating us in Seattle (or New Orleans).

Seattle will still be a great international city when the Sonics leave, and surely they will leave and head to OKC - that must be hard for you to handle (since you are so convinced otherwise). ..

I suppose West Coast Hornet dug that article up too. He's already dug up a bunch of unsubstantiated data from the HR.com website and posted in on the Seattle forum. I looked up Gregg Doyel's bio, and he's lived in Mississippi, Georgia, Charlotte and Florida. He's probably never even been to Oklahoma City. I think I wrote him last year when that article came out, and I agree that this guy is an idiot for trying to compare the MLB to the NBA.

On another note, HOT ROD, is Gregoire going to pull a bunch of investors together, give them some tax concessions and pull Seattle's fat out of the fire with a new arena that doesn't require a public vote or even much from the state legislature?

Steve Kelley

Wake up! Don't you care about the Sonics?

By Steve Kelley
Seattle Times staff columnist

Where's the outrage, Seattle?

We've got some carpetbaggers from Oklahoma City trying to take away this region's NBA team. We've got fat cats from OKC making outrageous, unreachable demands on the Seattle City Council and the state's legislators.

We've got suits from the South, who know nothing about the history of the game in this city, and worse, don't care, counting the days until they can load up the trucks and head for home.

Where's the anger? Where is the righteous, raucous rage against these hoop hijackers?

New owner Clay Bennett doesn't know about Seattle basketball. He may make assorted allusions to the history of the team here. He may say, with barely a note of sincerity, that he wants to stay.

But Clay Bennett wasn't holding his head in agony when Denver's Dikembe Mutombo fell, face-up on the floor, hoisting the basketball over his head, celebrating the Nuggets' 1994 playoff series win over the Sonics.

Bennett wasn't glued to his television, counting off the final seconds in 1979, as the Sonics won the NBA championship over Washington.

He didn't really understand the pain this city's fans felt last March when Dennis Johnson died suddenly.

You think he cares about the Seattle Sonics? He only cares about the Seattle money. And if he doesn't get enough of it, if he doesn't get the inflated arena deal he wants — or at least says he wants — he's gone.

Where are the people, rich and poor, willing to step in and save this team in this city? I know they're out there.

Where are the fans who have supported this team for more than 40 years? Where are the fans who still love the team, even if that love went unrequited through the Howard Schultz years?

Bennett wasn't here when owner Sam Schulman brought the NBA to town. Schulman wasn't from Seattle, either, but he made this city a big-league town. He gave us Lenny Wilkens, Spencer Haywood, Fred Brown, Gus Williams, John Johnson, Jack Sikma, Bill Russell, Paul Silas, Slick Watts.

He gave us a championship.

Bennett didn't scream himself hoarse at the '79 victory parade. He didn't protest when Wilkens was traded to Cleveland. He wasn't there when George Karl came to town, wasn't emotionally invested in Shawn Kemp's 1996 low-post, toe-to-toe with Karl Malone.

He didn't feel what we felt inside KeyArena when the Sonics beat the Chicago Bulls in the fourth and fifth games of the '96 Finals. He didn't ache in 2005 after Ray Allen's Game 6 jumper missed against San Antonio, ending Seattle improbably successful season.

In fact, you can almost bet Bennett was rooting for the Spurs.

He didn't mourn coach Nate McMillan's move to Portland. Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins, Hersey Hawkins, Frank Brickowski, Tom Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis, Bernie Bickerstaff. What do those names mean to Bennett?

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels made another attempt last week to show the new Sonics and Storm ownership group he is committed to making the NBA work in Seattle.

All he is asking in return is $100 million from the Sonics. All he is asking is for the owners to be partners in either a new Seattle arena, or a remodeled KeyArena that would have more revenue sources for Bennett's Boys.

Nickels would like a face-to-face with Bennett. He wants to know, even though the answer should be clear, if Bennett even wants the Sonics in Seattle.

But all the mayor gets for his efforts is stony silence.

It's time to pay attention to Bennett's patronizing behavior. It's time to tell him we're not letting him out of the KeyArena lease that doesn't expire until the end of the 2009-10 season.

Let's give general manager Sam Presti credit. Under difficult circumstances, he's building a new basketball team. He's culling the roster, stockpiling draft picks, clearing cap room and adding future stars like Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

But it's impossible to get excited about a future that is this tenuous.

It's impossible to quicken your pulse when, this summer, the team is being run on the cheap.

The franchise is saving salary through the summer. The Sonics summer-league teams were run by part-time coaches. A skeleton staff is taking care of the team's day-to-day operations.

Coach P.J. Carlesimo's assistants — expected to be former Denver and Sacramento assistant Scotty Brooks and coach Paul Westhead of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury — haven't been announced.

It's as if Bennett knows what we all know, that NBA commissioner David Stern wants the Sonics in Seattle. As if he knows Stern doesn't want to drop some 40 market sizes from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

So Bennett's plan is to make this season as unappealing as possible, so he can say to Stern, "Look, nobody's buying tickets or suites. We're losing money. Nobody cares. Don't fight me on this."

The time has come for Seattle to show it cares. To hold the Sonics to their lease and hold Bennett's feet to the fire. Time for wealthy, caring fans like David Sabey and Steve Ballmer to brainstorm with Nickels and other politicians.

It's time for outrage. Time to speak up. Time to save the Sonics from the moving vans. The Sonics belong to Seattle.

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

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

^

That article clearly demonstrates how few people care about the Sonics leaving Seattle, otherwise it wouldn't have been written.

I suppose West Coast Hornet dug that article up too. He's already dug up a bunch of unsubstantiated data from the HR.com website and posted in on the Seattle forum. I looked up Gregg Doyel's bio, and he's lived in Mississippi, Georgia, Charlotte and Florida. He's probably never even been to Oklahoma City. I think I wrote him last year when that article came out, and I agree that this guy is an idiot for trying to compare the MLB to the NBA.

On another note, HOT ROD, is Gregoire going to pull a bunch of investors together, give them some tax concessions and pull Seattle's fat out of the fire with a new arena that doesn't require a public vote or even much from the state legislature?

Im not so sure betts, as it could be political suicide for Gregoire. I think she will take the same approach she did in the past and use her power to enforce the lease - basically back up Mayor Nickels. I dont think Gregoire has enough power or fans in the money circles where they would just throw around their cash and give it to bennett. There MUST be public subsidy in some form, in order for the Sonics to remain in Seattle - since that is the ONLY way Bennett could make a positive ROI.

I know you are remembering the MLB but that was a different league with different parameters and scenarios. Such a scheme probably wont work in the NBA tho, since it is proven that teams move all of the time when the host city has lackluster support (or even great support).

I think she is making 'noise' now 1) to see if someone is interested and 2) to do something so Sonics Fans wont accuse her of just sitting back and doing nothing.

But in reality, if she can't get enough rich people from the Eastside to help fund an Arena in Auburn (the best and ONLY option on the table), then there's nothing more she can do since calling a special session is DEFINITELY OUT!!!!

the ONLY thing that could be done is 1) enforce the lease, no buyout for Clay 2) hope that the courts drag out when Clay definitely sues so that perhaps I-95 will get on the Feb ballot and even then people would have to approve it 3) hope that the NBA board delays a vote to move the Sonics - this is highly unlikely tho, since Im sure all are aware of the Sonics situation and surely a no-go by Oct 31 will be an indication that Seattle isn't interested; surely OKC would get a majority (2 votes already in Shinn and Bennett, most likely also Cuban, and maybe Salt Lake could return the favor [since our legislator let them have light rail]).

Like I said, unless the private sector fully steps up - there is no reason to believe this will proceed in Seattle. And so far, nobody from the Eastside has shown even a slight glimmer of interest. Nobody wants to get stuck sending money to Oklahoma City on something built here with the proceeds going to OKC.

Aint gonna happen, and there's nothing Gregoire is doing about it. Notice Bennett is not courting her anymore anyways!!! :gossip:

Here's a very telling quote from Aubrey in the Journal Record.


The Journal Record - Article (http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=80883)


Later, after the first year, we began to get more serious about buying the Hornets from Mr. (George) Shinn, and for a while we thought we’d be able to.”
After a taste of the NBA, Bennett, McClendon, Ward and others in the group wanted more.
“We started to look around, and at that time the Sonics were going through some ownership challenges in Seattle,” McClendon said. “So Clay, very artfully and skillfully, put himself in the middle of those discussions and to the great amazement and surprise to everyone in Seattle, some rednecks from Oklahoma, which we’ve been called, made off with the team. At any rate I’m pleased to be part of the ownership group and Clay has done a terrific job of managing the process.”
McClendon said the team would probably make more money if it stayed in Seattle.
“But we didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here,” he said. “We know it’s a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it’s great for the community and if we could break even we’d be thrilled.”

Here's another....


McClendon said the future of the team is in the hands of the city leadership of Seattle.
“They’ve got 60 days to make some decisions they haven’t been willing to make in the past year, and if they make them in a way that satisfies Clay, then the team will stay there,” he said. “If they don’t meet the requirements he’s laid out, the team will move and Clay has indicated they’ll come to Oklahoma City.”

Basketball is more than an investment for McClendon. He could be seen on many occasions on Hornets telecasts, pumping an arm in the air and cheering on the then-local club.

“I’ve had good seats,” McClendon grinned. “I’ve now been really caught up in the excitement of the (Sonics) because there is a certain stamp of ‘we’ve arrived,’ and the people of Seattle kind of look down their nose at us and think these guys are trying to climb the civic ladder. They take pride in Seattle not needing a NBA team to be considered a world-class city. That’s probably true, they don’t. But I think for Oklahoma City to distance itself from other midsize cities, I think enthusiastic support of a well-run, successful NBA team says a lot about the spirit of this community. We’ve got a can-do spirit and we’ve got a fan base that’s turned out. This is a sports town; nobody ever knew it was a pro sports town. I think it is.”

We should put together some sort of communications to Tom, Aubrey, Clay, Mick et al to express our appreciation for what they are doing to improve the Quality of Life in OKC. These guys could be civic leaders ANYWHERE, but chose to remain in OKC. They have and continue to help improve the Quality of Life in Okc. If we get an NBA team it will be because of them and others. I want them to know the we the citizens of OKC appreciate their committment to the growth and prosperity of our city. Suggestions????

I agree. I think this forum is a good start.

Hopefully either they or someone in their staff can be looking at this particular thread, especially with regard to the NBA/Sonics.

Steve Kelley

Wake up! Don't you care about the Sonics?

By Steve Kelley
Seattle Times staff columnist

He didn't feel what we felt inside KeyArena when the Sonics beat the Chicago Bulls in the fourth and fifth games of the '96 Finals. He didn't ache in 2005 after Ray Allen's Game 6 jumper missed against San Antonio, ending Seattle improbably successful season.

In fact, you can almost bet Bennett was rooting for the Spurs.


Uh, do you think? Bennette was part owner of the Spurs, was of the Spurs Board of Directors, and was the Spurs representative on the NBA Board of Governors. What a dumbass. Is Steve Kelly what passes for a sport writer in Seattle?

Kerry. dont be too hard on Steve; he may sound like a moron to you but that is because you dont live here. Most people here are really not aware of the "Obvious" things that Steve Kelley published.

In fact, I think if there were more people informed about Bennett, then all of that crap on the Seattle Times (about Seattle being better than OKC, this and that) would not have happened.

There are posters here who say that the board wont allow the Sonics to move to OKC. But, I posted that - Bennett used to be on the board before now and surely all of the events we have seen to date was discussed by the board, including the very well probability (higher than possible now) that the Sonics will move to OKC. Surely, that is why the whole 1 year thing was worked into the sale - to give us (Seattle) a chance to show that we desire a team.

but most people here dont care, and those that do - are way too smug or pompass about Seattle that they dont realize how big of a threat OKC is to them. Im afraid they are JUST NOW starting to see the light - but fortunately for OKC, it's too late.

the ONLY thing that will keep the Sonics in Seattle are 1) if private enterprise builds Bennett an arena and allow HIM to retain all of the profit and bookings (since that is Bennett's demand) or 2) the courts force Bennett to stay in Seattle thru the 2009-2010 season.

I highly doubt that will happen, since Bennett will 'no doubt' come to Seattle on the opener in November with a briefcase of cash for Greg Nickels (Seattle Mayor) and ask to break the lease for the last two years. The board will DEFINITELY approve the move - otherwise, they never would have approved the SALE.

I just can't believe that there are some zelic fans here who think that the board approved the sale but didn't realize who Bennett was or what his intentions were. "Come on people!!! Use that college brain you supposedly have" is my response.

Bennett is from OKC, bought the Sonics but was not impressed enough with Seattle to move here, or even open a sattelite office here; he said he'd keep the team here in Seattle ONLY if he could make money Otherwise - he's going to OKC.

Everyone should have known that and certainly the nba board knew it when they unanimously approved the sale!!! These zelic (ignorant) fans should have known it and they should have gotten support to make the public arena happen. Because even if a private arena gets a plan here - Bennett will not approve it unless he gets the proceeds; now who would be stupid enough to build Bennett an arena so HE can keep the profits - when they could have just bought the Sonics when Howard Schultz put them up for sale??? Howard asked local people FIRST, then when nobody stepped up he went outside.

I think, instead of those zelics trying to chop OKC based on the past (or perception), they need to try to convince the NBA to come back once an arena gets built in several years.

Some of them are even calling Bennett a liar, I suppose they are trying to appeal to Oklahoma's bible belt perception, to make OKC people 'feel guilty'. Who hasn't lied when in a political situation? And Oklahoma has had way more of its share of the a$$ end of political lies than has Seattle, so it's about time that somebody stands-up for OKC. Who cares that Bennett lied about wanting to be in Seattle. I think he wanted to be here because he could make money here, other than that. .. syanara - the franchise is off to OKC. So much for the 'guilt trip' tactic, Seattle zelics!!!

And surely Bennett HAD to say he wanted to stay for arena talk to even happen, .....business is business, politics are politics.

Nevertheless, the Sonics are gone to OKC. No doubt about that. Surely, as long as Bennett offers to pay the two years rent at Key arena the courts would rule in favor of him should the city not allow the buyout. He'd definitely sweeten his chances with the courts if he offered more cash, but the rent is a minimum - and Im sure that would be chump change to Bennett.

Here's how I think it will go:

1) nothing gets approved (to Bennett's liking) by Oct 31 and Bennett files to relocate on Nov 1
2) shortly thereafter, the board approves
3) Bennett arrives in Seattle for the opener (and/or some later home game) with a briefcase of cash for the city - and offers a buyout
4) Greg Nickels refuses (since he has gone public that he will do so)
5) Bennett files in federal court (since the Sonics is a LLC based in OKC and Seattle is a municipal based in WA, it would be a huge conflict to have the lawsuit in WA unless its federal)
5a) I believe, shortly after filing, the court will see the consideration Bennett offered to the city and the lack of equitable consideration the Key Arena lease offers to the Sonics - and thus will rule in his favor
6) Bennett announces the Sonics will move to OKC in 2008 (although he might wait to make this announcement until after Dec, to avoid a collapse in tix).

Any thoughts?

"F*CK THIS MOTHER F*CKING PILE OF DOG SH*T

send this story to every newspaper, radio station, media outlet, politician you know.

no matter how big or how small. everyone in this country needs to know that clay bennett is pillaging our sonics from us.

and to all the oklahoma city bastards who came on here and tried to defend clay for being this "trustworthy honest business man", go eat ****"

I am pasting this quote from a forum member of the Seattle Times here. I think it's not a good idea to be getting people from Seattle riled up about Aubrey McClendon's comments, although it is now too late. If they had sat in the Journal Record or on OKC forums, it would have been a fun thing to discuss. Now, this story may get picked up by the Seattle columnists and sent in letters to all the Senators and congressment in Washington. Strictly speaking, Aubrey's not supposed to be saying stuff like that yet and we don't need a reaction from Stern like Clay got with the Las Vegas comments. Just my opinion, but I think it's best to let sleeping dogs lie until October 31st.

As skillfully and carefully as Bennett and the ownership group has played this over the last year, I'm really surprised McClendon would make such a comment when they are so close to achieving their goal.

Bennett has taken great care to never suggest what everyone thought to be obvious all along... Then almost at the finish line, Aubrey blurts it out in the press!

To say so after the move is finalized is one thing but doing so now puts at risk all the accumulated goodwill the group and OKC earned with the Hornets.


I'm sure it won't have a major impact but I bet Clay called Aubrey and gave him a good lecture over this.

Mon August 13, 2007 From Today's NewsOK:
McClendon: We didn't buy Sonics to keep them in Seattle

From staff reports

Aubrey McClendon is saying the words Seattle SuperSonics fans suspected, but didn't want to hear. "But we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle. We hoped to come here (in Oklahoma City)," McClendon says in Monday's edition of The Journal Record."We know it's a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it's great for the community and if we could break even, we'd be thrilled."



McClendon, the chief executive of Chesapeake Energy, is part of the ownership group, headed by Clay Bennett, which bought the NBA franchise last year. The group is seeking a new facility agreement from Seattle by Oct. 31 to replace the aging KeyArena.
If the deadline isn't met, Bennett has said he would file to relocate the team — to Oklahoma City. "They've got 60 days to make some decisions they haven't been willing to make in the past year," McClendon told the paper, "and if they make them in a way that satisfies Clay, then the team will stay there. If they don't meet the requirements he's laid out, the team will move, and Clay has indicated they'll come to Oklahoma City."

Yup, not smart of Aubrey to talk right now, but not smart of anyone from OKC to bring it to the attention of people from Seattle. Let's lay low, guys, on the inflammatory quotes from anyone from here. You're not helping the cause.