Hotrod lives in Seattle ...

haha yeah? where you not aware of that Karried?

Whats this "real life" thing you speak of?


lol, yes I was aware of that .. I was answering ouadonis in case he wasn't aware of it... maybe I didn't understand his question either.. wouldn't surprise me...

I'm giddy with excitement!

From the Seattle Supersonics.com:

Excerpts From Clay Bennett’s Press Conference

Excerpts from the news conference Friday:

ON THE STORM'S FUTURE:
“The Seattle Storm will play their games in Seattle next year. We’ve seen enormous support for the Storm come through the office, and we truly believe that the Storm is a tremendous asset. We’re very pleased we could make that announcement today. We’re looking forward to having a competitive season next year.”

IN RESPONSE TO THE MUCKLESHOOT STUDY:
“I first and foremost want to say we are very appreciative of the leadership of the Muckleshoot Tribe. I’ve had the chance to meet them on a couple of occasions, and I find them to be a very impressive group of business people. They’ve been highly successful and we look forward to continuing our discussions. We will fully evaluate their proposal and stay engaged with them.”

“We have also received other proposals. We fully evaluate those as well. I will say that all proposals are wrought with political challenges and they’re certainly going to present financial challenges.”


ARBITRATION FILING:

“In an effort to bring some clarity as to where we are relative to our lease, we believe it’s time to take some formal action and find the legal determination as to certain elements of the lease. This morning we have filed for a ruling through the arbitration process, by which we hope to find some clarity, or more understanding, of the elements of our lease document. As we approach the Oct. 31 deadline, we’ve seen nothing tangible, we’ve seen nothing come together that is formal, legal or binding that would suggest the development of an arena. Given the tenor of the city in enforcing and demanding that we play in KeyArena for the next three years and given the city’s retention of a highly-respected former U.S. Senator and given their efforts in their own statement of ‘lawyering up,’ we believe it is time to engage.

Further, we believe it does not make sense to stand and wait and watch the clock strike twelve on Oct. 31. It’s clear that we need to make things happen and get more engaged in advance of that deadline. KeyArena is not a viable NBA arena. A renovated KeyArena is not a viable NBA arena. I understand the timing of this legal filing is in advance of Oct. 31.

I want to be very clear that we remain absolutely committed to engage in the same process that would bring about the development of a new building. This is absolute consistent with our original commitment to the selling group, the NBA and the public at-large. We have been consistent about the perimeters and the framework of this acquisition. The franchise will not remain in this marketplace without a new arena. We will not break the lease. We will operate within the legal perimeters set forth in the document, which we now hope will be more clearly defined, and with the guidance of the NBA commissioner and the other owners.

I’ve said previously that we were going to move the date of the actual filing of our relocation application off of Nov. 1, which I’ve previously stated. This is an effort to move it away from the opening of our season.

Hopefully this will give a platform for our team, our coaches and our entire organization to launch a positive year. There is no new time or date set, except to say that we are developing our application, and we will file.

We’ve also been made aware that there is interest in local investors acquiring the team.

The teams are not for sale. We remain bullish on the NBA for many, many reasons, notwithstanding our current operating challenges which are tied to playing in an unworkable facility.

I want to speak to our most important constituency: our fans, season ticket holders and our courageous sponsors. This is the first year that we’ve really had an imprint on this team and we’re very excited about the season. We have a dynamic mix of young and dynamic players, a first-rate coaching staff and a basketball staff led by Sam Presti and P.J. Carlesimo. You’ll see a disciplined, hard working, smart team on the floor working hard every day to get better. We are committed to providing the ultimate basketball entertainment and social experience to our fans. We will provide solid and meaningful value for our sponsors and marketing partners.

I want to close and reiterate with what I think are the important points. Our action today sends a signal of urgency and will serve as a catalyst to bring leadership together to find a solution.

We will engage in any realistic, leadership-driven opportunities that come our way. Nothing has changed in our commitment on July 18, 2006.

If we can reach an acceptable lease agreement with a new arena facility, the Sonics and Storm are here for a very long time.

If a commitment for a new building is not realized, we will evaluate our options, which will include relocation. We are seriously committed to finding an answer in this marketplace.

We stand ready to engage with our professional consultants and anyone we can bring to the table that can assist in the development of a workable plan.

But we cannot stay at KeyArena. I implore leadership – elected leadership, business leadership, civic leadership and people of influence who can move this thing forward – please, come to the table. Let’s talk.


document.write("E-mail this story");

Someone just tell me when I am supposed to sign up for NBA League Pass on DirectTv.

Ooooooh, this is starting to look good:

*************************************


Fri September 21, 2007

Bennett asks for arbitration to get out of lease


From staff reports

SEATTLE — Sonics owner Clay Bennett has asked for an arbitration panel to rule his team can get out of its arena lease and relocate after the coming season, most likely to Oklahoma City.

In a news conference on Friday, Bennett had a grim assessment of the state of the Sonics. The Oklahoma City businessman has set an Oct. 31 deadline for a new arena deal to be in place for the NBA franchise. If that deadline isn't met, relocation is the alternative.

"As we approach the Oct. 31 deadline, we've seen nothing tangible,” Sonics chairman and Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett said Friday, referring to movement toward a new, $500 million building and the deadline he created after the team filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association this week.

"It's not working at all today here,” said Bennett, who has estimated his Oklahoma City-based ownership group lost $20 million running the team for the first time last season.

"We have significant cash loss. Our sales are way off ... just compared to what is happening with the Mariners and the Seahawks.

"The business model today, where we are, cannot continue.”

But could the team survive in Oklahoma City? Bennett thinks so.

"I absolutely know the team can survive and be profitable in Oklahoma City,” Bennett said. "The Ford Center (there) is quite adequate — but another building would be needed in the future.

"I can tell you there is high interest in bringing the NBA to Oklahoma City.”

Bennett, whose group bought the Sonics and WNBA's Storm for $350 million in 2006, said he hopes to have a decision from a three-member arbitration panel by January. That would then give Seattle's NBA team since 1967 time to file for relocation with the NBA for the 2008-09 season. Teams must file for relocation with the league by March 1 for the following season.

Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis has said the city will continue to enforce the lease at KeyArena, which runs through 2010. NBA commissioner David Stern has called the lease the league's worst.

Ceis acknowledged both sides could agree to amend their agreement and permit a buyout.

The Sonics say the cost of such a buyout is contained in the lease, though they haven't determined an exact price tag yet pending the arbitrators' ruling. The figure would presumably cover revenue lost to the city should the Sonics leave before 2010.

Bennett said his Oklahoma City-based ownership will keep the Storm in Seattle for one more season, through next summer, but that his preference is to keep the two teams together beyond that.

He also said he intends to remain "engaged” with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, which funded a just-completed feasibility study that said an arena could prosper on tribe-owned land in Auburn, 25 miles south of Seattle. But Bennett again said Friday that he was concerned about the site's relative remoteness and the traffic issues surrounding it.

Bennett also said he has been approached by potential investors with other proposals — some of which he wasn't sure were earnest and valid. He said neither the Sonics or the Storm is for sale, though he acknowledged he's fielded some inquiries from Seattle-area business people about potentially buying the teams.

The New York Times



September 22, 2007

Sonics Explore Options

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Clay Bennett, the Seattle SuperSonics (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/probasketball/nationalbasketballassociation/seattlesupersonics/index.html?inline=nyt-org)’ owner, filed paperwork to have an arbitrator rule on whether the club could escape the last two years of its arena lease and relocate.

The team has sought construction of a new home arena and Bennett is from Oklahoma City, which drew rave reviews as a temporary home for the Hornets (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/probasketball/nationalbasketballassociation/neworleanshornets/index.html?inline=nyt-org) after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

A deadline for having a new arena deal is set for Oct. 31, the day the N.B.A. season opens.

Funny how the Seattle Times still won't admit that the team will go to Oklahoma City if it relocates. They like to use the term "most likely OKC" instead of if an agreement isn't reached they WILL move to OKC. They can't stand the fact they might lose the team to OKC. Their writers still mention KC and Vegas as possibilities.

and Seattle fires back......


Seattle sues to hold Sonics to lease
By Seattle Times staff

Seattle officials announced this morning that they have filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court today in an attempt to force the Sonics to continue playing at KeyArena through 2010.

The lawsuit also seeks to block the Sonics' attempt to move the fight to arbitration, a legal tactic team owners announced last week.

The city's lawsuit is also seeking attorney fees from the team. A press conference is under way this morning.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett on Friday filed a demand for arbitration, seeking to get out of the final two years of the Sonics' KeyArena lease.

Bennett said he wants a panel of impartial arbitrators to "bring some clarity" to the lease — specifically on the question of whether the Sonics simply can pay a cash settlement to leave KeyArena before the lease expires in 2010.

Bennett said his arbitration demand, filed by the Seattle law firm Byrnes & Keller, was a response to increasingly hostile statements by Seattle officials, who have vowed to bind the Sonics to KeyArena until the team's lease ends in September 2010. He cited Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis' recent comment that the city was "lawyering up" by enlisting former Sen. Slade Gorton to help enforce the KeyArena lease.

With the filing of today's lawsuit, the city appears to have officially hired Gorton's law firm, K&L Gates, to work on the lease dispute. The city already has requested setting aside $1 million in next year's budget for legal fees.

Bennett has said that even a renovated KeyArena "is a dead end."


Local News | Seattle sues to hold Sonics to lease | Seattle Times Newspaper (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003899697_websonics25m.html)

Here we go again.. reminds me of the Hornets... back and forth, back and forth.. unfortunately, the outcome of that exchange wasn't one I wanted to have happened but I understand and accept that they needed to go Home ( as hard as it was).

This is different in a lot of ways.. but not the way in which the fans attack our city and residents.

That's sad... all the insults and stereotype bashing you can possibly imagine come out.

I just want it to be over.

Perhaps the lawsuit will work, but it seems to me that the key player in all of this is David Stern, who's not said a word about the Seattle situation in months. He can recommend a franchise move to the BOG or use his considerable influence to try and block it. He wasn't very complimentary to the city of Seattle when he did last say something. By being the aggressor when they refuse to build a new arena, Seattle may not be improving their case with Stern. Far better to have sat back, had your lawyers look at the lease to see if it even allowed mediation and whined to Stern that Clay wasn't playing nicely. Of course there's always the possibility that he is pulling all the strings, and the lawsuit was at his behest, but it seems unlikely right now.

Suing somone for something that hasn't happened yet? Isn't this putting the lawer before the ambulance, so to speak. On what possible grounds could the City of Seattle possible bring forth a lawsuit? Don't be surprised if this gets thrown out of court.

Suing somone for something that hasn't happened yet? Isn't this putting the lawer before the ambulance, so to speak. On what possible grounds could the City of Seattle possible bring forth a lawsuit? Don't be surprised if this gets thrown out of court.
Is that your professional legal opinion?

I believe you can sue if the breach of contract is eminent. Mid?

All they can do is try and get damages for a breeched contract once that comes to pass.

It's exactly the same as trying to arbitrate a lease buy-out, just from the other side of the table.

They can't force the team to play in the building any more than a landlord can force a tenant to live in an apartment. What they can do is litigate for damages... In other words, a buy-out of the agreement.


All of this has been attempted in the past when cities are certain their local team is going to flee. And to my knowledge, those teams have all left anyway and merely paid some sort of settlement.

Is that your professional legal opinion?

Yes it is. I am in the process of reading the lease between the City of Seattle and SSI (the original lease signer) and I see a way out of the entire lease and I didn't have to get any further than the Where As clauses. The City of Seattle promised to build an new facility (the word New emphasized each time). However, they did not build a new facility that would have cost several hundred million dollars. They renovated the existing facility for $78 million. The City broke the original lease when they didn't build a new arena as promised. If anything, the Sonics should sue the city for not providing the facility the City promised.

For those interested, Articale XXVI cleary states that Sonics can simply walk away and only owe the city an unpaid rent through the remainder of the contract.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2007/09/24/2003899710.pdf

In fact, the entire Seattle lawsuit is based on Articale II that relates to definitions. It doesn't matter because by exercising Articale XXVI, the entire contract becomes void.

Below is a slightly different case. MLB wanted to contract by eliminating two teams, and it was pretty well known, although not announced, that the Twins and Montreal were those two teams. The below injunction kept the Twins from being eliminated as a team through 2003, and of course ultimately neither team was disbanded although the Expos are now the Nats. I don't know if that could be considered a legal precedent for the Sonics or not

"The primary road block to eliminating the Twins was their lease at the Metrodome, extended by the team in September through the 2002 season.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which operates the Metrodome, sued to force the Twins to honor their lease, and Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump issued the injunction on Nov. 16. The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the order Jan. 22 in a 3-0 vote."

Baseball is different than Basketball when it comes to legality. This is because MLB was granted an anti-trust exemption for being the national pastime. This is why baseball players testify before congress for steroid use but other sports don't.

Guys, I was going to post this on the Seattle Times forum, but I figure - why the hell should I Help These Idiot Elitists out here - Seattle dug its own hole.

But in reality, KERRY IS RIGHT!!! The Lease Promises a NEW SEATTLE CENTER COLUSEUM was to be built, NOT A REMODEL!!!

I think Bennett DOES know what he's doing and SURELY - he should win. I think he might even try to move the Sonics this season, given the city's recent moves and the fact that the fanbase is surely gone now.

Oh Boy, Seattle think's they are soooo smart - yet the lawyers DONT EVEN properly cite the lease when they make their lawsuit claims (they say they agreed with the Sonics to rebuild the Coluseum - but NOWHERE in the lease does it say REBUILD, it says NEW!!!!!)

Can anyone here make sure Bennett and his crownies are aware of this ridiculous lease (Seattle prospective, since the city in fact did not deliver on the terms)??!!

Below is what I was GOING to post on the SeaTimes - now, the only way those idiot fans will find it is if they have the blz to thumb through OKCTalk and find this thread. Ha ha ha.

OKC definitely is not being used as a pawn this time!!!


Guys, a couple of things has me worried:

1) if you read the lease, it says that :"the city of Seattle shall build a NEW Seattle Center Coluseum"

and

2) if a breach of contract, typically the defendant is required to pay damages, NOT BE FORCED TO PLAY AT KEY ARENA

3) Clay Bennett sought to have the lease reviewed for arbitration of the duration, not necessarily a breach yet like before - the city is over-reacting with its rear end, further giving the middle finger to Stern and the NBA (instead of acting like the victim and pleading to him for support, which we probably might have got).

I dont see how Seattle will win this one. It might actually help Bennett move the team this year - if he can get a ruling soon and get the thumbs up from the BOG. Some of you think this wont happen, due to our "magical status or something" but I say

Stern and the BOG let Bennett buy the Sonics for a reason. They know him WELL and I believe he was approved unanimously (even our HERO who owns the Seahawks); they knew Stern's position on Seattle AND knew Bennett's desire for a team in OKC.

Regardless of the padding or whatever regarding the Hornets as far as butts in the seats, over 17,500 tickets were sold for a team that wasn't OKC's for two years - and this caught the eye of Stern and the NBA placing OKC at the top of the list.

OKC has an immediate solution available for the Sonics and this lease is NOT iron clad at making the Sonics play at Key Arena. Like was mentioned earlier, the lease states a "new Seattle Center Coluseum" to be built - NOT A REMODEL AND RENAME which did happen. ...

This has me worried from a fan prospective, the city got a fast one on the Sonics by remodeling the Coluseum but in fact - that very lease says specifically that a new one was to be built. NO WHERE DOES IT SAY THAT THE SONICS ACCEPTED THE REBUILT COLUSEUM AS FULFILLING THE TERMS - I think this IS Bennett's way out

and he might not even have to pay a dime. Not only that, but because of the city's recent moves; I BET that Bennett will announce the Sonics will play in OKC this year!!!

I encourage all OKCians to read the lease from the link Kerry provided. Get past the Seattle lawsuit mumbo-jumbo crap (they are just crying like babies) and get to Exhibit A which is the lease.

In all honesty, this really makes Seattle look stupid and NOT like the so-called intelligent billionaire yuppies that the MEDIA makes us all out to be.

OKC, when the Sonics/Bennett does come DONT make the same mistake of this lease. Get a sweetheart deal between the city and Bennett which ensures a long lasting (ie forever) LOCAL relationship that will forever place OKC in the minds of the populous of the world!!!

And none of this Seattle so-called "major league" bantering and posturing!!!

Hot Rod - I am now posting on the Seattle times site under OKC2008. I tried to use my name but someone already had it. Here is the only problem I see with the New arena statment in the preamble. The Sonics paid rent to play in a remodled arena. It makes it hard for that argument to stick when the Sonics apparently approved of it by paying rent. Now that is not to say the current owners are under the same obligation as the former owners. Just because a previous owner chose not enforce the "New" clause doesn't necessarly obligte Bennett and Co. to also rule it out. In fact, considering that Clay has been asking for a new arena from day one indicates that he might in fact be ble to make the case that Seattle didn't live up to their agreement to provide a new arena.

Hot Rod - I am now posting on the Seattle times site under OKC2008. I tried to use my name but someone already had it. Here is the only problem I see with the New arena statment in the preamble. The Sonics paid rent to play in a remodled arena. It makes it hard for that argument to stick when the Sonics apparently approved of it by paying rent. Now that is not to say the current owners are under the same obligation as the former owners. Just because a previous owner chose not enforce the "New" clause doesn't necessarly obligte Bennett and Co. to also rule it out. In fact, considering that Clay has been asking for a new arena from day one indicates that he might in fact be ble to make the case that Seattle didn't live up to their agreement to provide a new arena.


I think you hit exactly what I was thinking and perhaps what Clay is doing in Bold!!!! HE NEVER approved of Key Arena, therefore NEVER approved of the lease!!!!!

I think we're on to something BIG that the elitists with blinders in Seattle who think they are 'untouchable' or that Slade 'the Blade' Gordon will Save The Day again, fail to see (or admit)!!!!!

It's interesting how the city's lawyers even twisted their opening pleading by stating that the Sonics agreed to a remodel when in fact the lease clearly says NEW Seattle Center Coluseum (not a remodel). Like you said, just because the past owners apparently approved (by paying the lease) does not predicate Bennett (whose said from day one that Key Arena is not viable (and is on record of that)) to those terms - especially when there was NO addendum to Bennett's purchase which states he 'accepts' Key Arena as the venue.

Looks like the City of Seattle's luck is gonna run out on them! LOL. I think this might be quickly ruled in Bennett's favour.

I can't wait!!! Seattle gets a REALITY CHECK!!!! :congrats:

LONG OVERDUE

Brian on Sonicscentral is saying there's a private arena deal in the works there. That could be a problem if it's true, as I don't think Stern would move the Sonics if he can get an arena built in Seattle. Now, if the terms of the new arena are that Bennett can't be the owner, I think Stern would have to balk there, as I don't believe he can or the BOG would force an owner to sell. He'd have to provide OKC with an expansion team to make that happen, IMO.

Betts, I don't know that I would believe that about the private arena deal in the works. If that was the case why would Bennett be trying to get out of his last two years at KeyArena. That doesn't make much sense to me.

OK guys,

On the SeaTimes forum they have pleas for people to email/call David Stern about this mess of a situation. Honestly, it is Seattle who is causing the mess - surely if they would just let the Sonics buy out the lease, I'd bet the NBA would be back with the Hornets (which could then be renamed into the New Supersonics).

but no. Between the city, the state, the local IDIOTS, and the ridiculous 'fans', Seattle has put up the proverbial middle finger at the NBA and is NOW trying to make their point that Clay Bennett can't "mess with Seattle".

I say - we need to BEST SEATTLE at everything they try. Since they are trying to sway David Stern, we need Oklahomans to write and call him as well.

We need to say that Seattle hasn't supported the team and has not and will not build a new arena - two points which OKC can and will do. We need to make sure that David Stern remains a NON-ISSUE until the courts and/or arbitration rule that the Sonics can in fact buy-out the lease.

This contract issue is NO DIFFERENT from any other lease agreements, if you move out you still have to pay - but you still get to MOVE OUT. How can the city be stupid enough to think that a court, even a WA one, would force a business to remain somewhere it doesn't want to be?? Are Seattleites (other than myself) so full of themselves???

Anyways, here is the contact information for David Stern (let's keep it civil but straight to the point, that OKC deserves the Sonics since Seattle has shown it's true colours - that they ONLY care about the pride of having a team yet not willing to do what it takes to keep them):

From the SeaTimes - 212-407-8300

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

We need to make sure that Stern either continues to stay out of this (my prediction) or that he supports Bennett and OKC if he does "Enter".

Seattle :boxing2: Bennett/NBA/OKC - that's my prediction!!

This whole scenario is leaving a sour taste in my mouth about Seattle, about the NBA and about Bennett & Co. What concerns me is that OKC is becoming so desperate to win this battle that we'll give away the store to get them here and be left with a less than ideal situation of our own.

I don't see how this process has harmed the image of OKC. In fact, the only comment by City officials is that they are not activley seeking a team. Seattle on the other hand has embarrased themselfs beyond recognition. And I mean the city officals, not the yahoos on the SeattleTimes forum. You expect a yahoo to be a goofball, but city officals? Now that is something special to watch.

Not only has the city guaranteed that the Sonics will leave, but no other NBA team will ever want to locate there. The sad part is, if they had played their cards right and number of teams would have been happy to move to Seattle after the Sonics left. They are the LA of the NBA.

I like that Kerry,

Seattle IS the LA of the NBA!!

Especially since Seattle is always trying to get everyone to believe they are bigger than they really are.

Then again, LA has one of the best, if not the best NBA arenas and it was privately funded. Not bad.

Funny, because Seattle has one of the best, if not the best, NFL stadiums it is was 70% public funded.

It makes absolutely no sense to try and force someone to try and do something against their will.

Do the people in Seattle think that if they sue the owners that that will solve all their problems and the team will continue to stay indefinitely and that fans will continue to support them?

The whole thing is so silly. Just a bunch of politicians trying to score points and public legal wrangling but it's not going to change the outcome: there will be a settlement of the contract just as Bennett has proposed.

Their thinking I would guess is that either.

A) Clay Sells because he can't move till 2010

or

B) They get an arena agreement by 2010.

OU adonis - you hit it right on the head. The logic of Seattle is so illogical. Reading some of the comments on the Seattle Times forum leaves me scratching my head. I can get past the people that are just angry and want to vent, but the ones that thinks some kind covert plan is being hatched cracks me up. The pleans for local owners to buy the team, for the NBA to step in and stop the move, to "just give us 2 more years and we can get an arena plan in place", is simply unfounded wishes.

This is so simple. Put an arena plan in place in the next 34 days or the team moves. Granted they might not be able to move as soon as they like, but make no mistake, the team is moving. I think the Seattle City Council owes it to the people of Seattle to make the best deal possible for the departure of Sonics. Simply suing the team to try and make them stay 2 more years isn't going to keep them there an extra day.

I've felt for some time that the end game will be to get quick approval from the BOG to move to OKC in 2010 and the Sonics sign a lease with OKC beginning then. This will allow OKC to start remodeling the Ford Center and building a practice facility.
It will also completely change the dynamic of the buyout talks when there is no chance of the team remaining there beyond the end of the lease.

Ran across this article on TrueHoop regarding the Grizzlies...Parts of it point to the NBA slowly but surely heading toward more of a revenue sharing model ala the NFL and MLB

Would definitely help take away some of the question marks people have about how successful a team here would be.....Here are some excerpts

NBA Econ 101 by Chris Herrington | Memphis Business Quarterly (http://www.mbqmemphis.com/node/39)

But NBA teams don’t have to spend large to win: There’s no correlation between player payroll and on-court success. Of the 12 teams whose payrolls topped $64 million last season, five missed the playoffs entirely, including the Grizzlies and the league’s biggest spendthrift franchise, the Knicks. Three season ago, the teams that competed in the NBA Finals — the Spurs and the Detroit Pistons — were 19th and 24th, respectively, in player payroll. Rather, NBA teams win by spending wisely and maximizing their resources.

In seeking to rectify the structural disadvantages faced by small-market franchises, Heisley joined the owners of seven other small-market teams — the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trailblazers, Charlotte Bobcats, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves — last fall in signing a letter to the NBA league offices requesting the league explore additional revenue sharing. Currently, the league’s national broadcast revenue is the primary source of shared income, with a smaller “revenue assistance program” providing additional support specifically to small-market teams.

The letter read, in part: “If appropriately managed teams can’t break even, let alone make a profit, we have an economic system that requires correction. The needed correction is serious revenue sharing, not just modest revenue assistance, and we urge you to address this issue on an urgent basis this year.”

In response to letter, the league beefed up its existing revenue assistance program for small-market teams this spring, doubling the amount of money that was doled out from just under $15 million to around $30 million.

According the Rick Horrow, a sports-business lecturer at Harvard Law School, and a sports-business analyst for CNN, revenue sharing in the NBA may still be in its formative stages.

“It’s a two-part historical evolution that usually takes place over five to 10 years,” Horrow says of revenue sharing in modern professional sports. “The one part is the acknowledgement that some combination of cost control and revenue sharing is critical for a sports league to survive and thrive. The second component is always the devil in the details. Which fund generates the most revenue and how are those revenues distributed? The NFL is in the 4th quarter of resolving both [parts of the issue]. Major League Baseball is at the same level. Hockey is in the earliest stages of the second phase, and I would say basketball is in a similar position.

“You’ll develop consensus very easily over the need for cost control and revenue sharing,” Horrow says, “but, of course, you have widely varied opinions on what kind of revenue should be shared and how much.”

Clearly, Heisley and his small-market allies have their eyes on the big pools of existing, unshared revenue: local broadcast revenues and gate receipts.

The small-market owners’ letter to the league last year also read: “Our current economic system (whereby local television revenue and gate receipts are not shared among the league’s 30 franchises) works only for larger-market teams and a few teams that have extraordinary success on the court.”

Heisley points out that, in the NFL, 40 percent of gate receipts are allotted to the visiting team. In the NBA, there is currently no sharing of gate revenues, local TV revenues, or advertising revenues.

So far, the NBA has seemed committed to keeping its revenue-sharing program small and making it a performance-based system — judging a team’s qualifications for revenue assistance in part on how well a team is exploiting the potential of its market.

What should the league do?

“Well, I don’t know. I’m not the commissioner,” Heisley says. “All he [NBA Commissioner David Stern] has to do is look at the health of the NFL and look at the health of the small markets in the NBA. And there are light years of difference. So, obviously, if you believe — and I’m not sure what [the NBA’s] position is — that the health of the league is directly proportional to the heath of the smallest markets in the league, then we’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s what the NFL believes. If you believe that that isn’t important, then you’ve got what we have at the NBA.”

31 days and counting...

16 days .....

Guys, check out this video from Seattle KIRO-TV. There is a news short (appx 5 min per day) this week they are airing regarding Oklahoma City and the city's viability as an NBA city.

Tonight's storey was basically introductory and showed various local sights downtown and interviews with fans and radio/talk show host about the city's feelings regarding the sonics. KIRO also interviewed DeJarnis (Ford Center) on camera, but Mick's interview was more or less paraphrased by the reporter. Overwhelmingly, everyone supports the move and most were even pretty certain it would happen/only a matter of time - and when they come, we'll support them. KIRO also stated OKC's resolve which built Ford Center and the fact that the city is ready to build another TRUE NBA FANCY arena to ensure the Sonics or whichever team comes will stay for good.

Check out this video, VIDEO BACKSTORY: OKC Arena Ready For Sonics - Video - KIRO Seattle (http://www.kirotv.com/video/14346192/index.html) , while this was not shown on TV - it is intended to give more in-depth information of sorts about OKC's will and venues.

I'd say, my first reaction prior to seeing the news short was, oh boy - KIRO is going to try to trash OKC in order to make Seattle "feel better". And definitely, most of the early shots showed OKC's 'dusty side' - such as the 89er land run monument (complete with the buggies) and especially the grain elevator/ oh, excuse me - OKC Rocks. But then, they did show images of Ford Center, inside and out (which looked great), and several nice twilight shots of the downtown skyline (basically from bricktown). KIRO stayed away from the 'typical' Chamber of Commerce type shots BUT they also didn't really tear down OKC either. In fact, it seemed more like an OKC boosting sort of short, basically - this is the OKC you may not know about and they most likely will get the Sonics.

Stay tuned, Ill let you know what the other shorts are about.

Go Oklahoma City, Renaissance!

It helps that the reporter actually used to be a reporter in this market...




Gary joined KIRO 7 Eyewitness News in June of 2003, moving west after a five-year stint at KWTV in Oklahoma City.

In his 10 years of street reporting, historic news just seems to happen around Gary. As soon as he arrived at KWTV, a mile-wide F-5 tornado ripped the Oklahoma City metro in half. During this time, Gary took pride in finding hope and human courage in stories we all find difficult to watch. Much of his inspiration came from the courageous stories of the Oklahomans who survived 1995 Murrah bombing. Gary's weekly "Strangely Named Towns" segment was also a very popular, award-winning exploration, uncovering the myths and curious legends hidden in every tiny dot on the map.


Courtesy KIRO (http://www.kirotv.com/station/2359872/detail.html)

It helps that the reporter actually used to be a reporter in this market...


I remember Gary Horcher and the brown leather jacket he always seemed to wear during his reports on KWTV. To me, he always seemed to do a very good "taped" report, but he seemed to struggle with the "live" shots.

Thanks for that link, Hot Rod! Got any more?

Yeah I recognize him too.

He seemed to take some minor potshots at Seattle-ites with comments about how we actually trust our leaders. lol

Here's the text of the Seattle story. I wondered if they were trying to get the people in Seattle made enough to fight for the Sonics with this story:

Video: VIDEO BACKSTORY: OKC Arena Ready For Sonics

OKC Fans Ready For The Sonics

POSTED: 10:54 am PDT October 16, 2007
UPDATED: 12:51 pm PDT October 16, 2007


OKLAHOMA CITY -- The end of October deadline the Sonics owners gave Seattle to figure out a new arena for the team is fast approaching, and KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Gary Horcher traveled to Oklahoma City to get the buzz on what Oklahoma fans are saying.

“I am happy that Oklahoma City is going to be the beneficiary of Seattle’s mistake,” Oklahoma resident Terrell Monks said.According to Horcher, people in Oklahoma City believe the Sonics move is a done deal. “I’m afraid that Seattle leadership has taken a position and their pride won’t let them back down and do what it takes to keep the team up there, “Monks said.

VIDEO: OKC Fans Anxious To Have Sonics

Nathaniel and Terrell Monks are so certain the Sonics are moving to Oklahoma next year, their businesses are already planning to support the "Oklahoma City" Sonics. “We’ll go there, we’ll buy season tickets, we’ll be there for their games,” Monks said.

Oklahoma City's Ford Center was built by taxpayers five years ago, specifically to lure an NBA team. It seats close to 20,000 fans, complete with bars-restaurants and corporate luxury boxes. Gary Desjardins, who runs the Ford Center, says Oklahoma City fans proved their readiness by their unexpected reaction to the New Orleans Hornets--who made Oklahoma City a 2-year, temporary home, after Hurricane Katrina flooded theirs. The flood of local interest grabbed the NBA's attention. Fans bought nearly 12,000 season tickets in only three weeks. Capacity crowds packed the Ford Center every night to see a team they knew would eventually leave them, and go back to New Orleans. They also bought a record amount of team merchandise.

“We’ve got the capacity, we have the amenities, we have the suites, we have the club seats, we have those premium seating areas,” Desjardins said. Last year, fans paid $700 for a courtside seat. Last week, a Hornets exhibition game drew less than 10,000, with some fans feeling cheated over losing their adopted team. But those fans are more than ready to throw love and money at any team willing to move here.

“We always like to say the first one here wins,” Desjardin said. Callers to talk radio shows have already bought into the Sonic boom. “I know the Sonics are going to come in, and I’m going to try to support them as best I can,” one caller said. “Our callers, and I think most people in Oklahoma City are confident that the Sonics are coming, it’s just a matter of time. When is the only question, not if,” OKC radio host Mark Rodgers said.

Some fans are already questioning what to call their "new team." “Would we have to be called the Sonics? Let’s hope it’s not like the Oklahoma Twisters or something that’s real stereotypical for the state,” one fan said.

“When they get here they’ll instantly be embraced, there will be sellouts all the time even for preseason, and Seattle will wish they had kept them,” Nathanial Monks said. Horcher also asked the mayor of Oklahoma City what he's willing to do to lure an NBA team. Turns out he's close friends with some of the owners. What are their real motivations?

We'll examine all of that that Tuesday night at 11 p.m.

Do you suppose on of these Monks could be our own MadMonk? MadMonk was that you???????

Sonics v. Seattle scheduled for Thursday hearing

By Darnell Mayberry
The Oklahoman

A Thursday hearing has been scheduled for the court case between the Sonics and the city of Seattle.
The hearing is scheduled for oral arguments at 1:30 p.m. Seattle time and will be heard by Judge Ricardo Martinez, a U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Washington. It will mark the first court appearance by each party’s representatives since the city of Seattle filed its lawsuit against the team on Sept. 24.

The case’s initial hearing was scheduled to take place last Wednesday before Judge Harry McCarthy in King County Superior Court. But attorneys for the Sonics last Tuesday filed a motion to move the case to federal court.

Martinez called Thursday’s hearing to begin determining whether the case will remain in court or should be allowed to be settled by a panel of arbitrators.

Seattle officials are arguing that the Sonics should not be allowed to vacate KeyArena until their KeyArena Premises Use and Occupancy Agreement expires in 2010. Attorneys for the Sonics contend the city should not be able to force the franchise to remain at KeyArena if the team fulfills its financial payments for the remaining years of the arena contract. The Sonics argue that the dispute is arbitrable.

It’s unclear how Martinez will act Thursday. He could make an immediate ruling on the matter, or he could notify both parties that a decision will come at a later date.

Meanwhile, the city of Seattle last week filed a demand for a jury trial, continuing a string of counter moves by both sides.

Sonics chairman Clay Bennett has said he would apply with the NBA for relocation to Oklahoma City if a plan for a new publicly-funded arena is not available in Washington by Oct. 31.

Here is the film from yesterday's newscast. This was shown on the 11 oclock news.

VIDEO: OKC Fans Anxious To Have Sonics - Video - KIRO Seattle (http://www.kirotv.com/video/14353428/index.html)

GET READY OKC.

15 days. .....

As we all know this is not a done deal yet! I have always advocated that we in OKC voice our opinions to our ownership group and the NBA that we want and will support NBA basketball in OKC. Some Seattle residents are sending emails and lobbying the NBA, why can't we do the same.

HOT ROD what is your sense regarding a potential swell of public support arising within the next few weeks or months

VIDEO: Possible Plans Under Way To Move Sonics To OKC - Video - KIRO Seattle (http://www.kirotv.com/video/14361260/index.html)

This aired on Tuesday night on KIRO, it is the follow-up. :sofa:

DCSooner, based on what I've seen and heard, the mood here is pretty much the same but there have been some changes. In fact, most fans who were once hostile and uninformed about OKC now have a rather positive opinion - saying that they even hope OKC does and deserves to get a team, just not theirs. Then, most people would rather the Sonics stay but they dont want to pay for an arena - so they understand why they will leave. Then still, there is another group who doesn't care and wants them gone asap.

:demonslay I'd say, group 1) the Seattle Fans = 30,000-60,000 people or so + maybe 2/3 of Spokane. They are quite vocal and most are going on the Sonics' history here and Seattle's metro size and market standing to substantiate the 'need' to keep the team here. Although, like I said, there is a change in opinion now - that many are now saying well, OKC deserves a team and they hope OKC gets one, just not the Sonics. This group hates Bennett, hates Schultz, hates Stern; and as of late loves the city clowncil - an opinion Im sure was calculated by the clowncil since their elections are forth-coming. This group is responsible for much of the pot shots against anything Bennett or OKC, being quite hostile at times - esp those "new" to the internet, and this group is the vocal minority who hopes that the 'big guns' can keep the team here until 2010 thinking something surely might be worked out by then. This group also tends to think that Clay Bennett is a liar and/or that he 'ethically' needs to keep the Sonics here until 2010 and keep trying to get an arena. Also, these are the dreamers - as I call them, coming up with LOTS of scenarios as to why the Sonics wont leave, or why Bennett NEEDS to sell, or the NBA needs a team in Seattle because they want to expand to Asia or somehow Seattle will magically make this happen. The group is split on the use of tax dollars, I'd say 2/3rds will do anything to keep the Sonics, 1/4 want private funding (mostly Bennett/NBA), and the rest are on the fence. This group has the most people in denial, that their team is leaving and mostly looks to people who agree with them and they frequent the Seattle Times forum.

:053: group 2) mainstream Seattle/Tacoma = 3M or so people. These people are quiet, love the region in general, and think that all of the hogwash about the Sonics is just that. These people tend to be die-hard MLB Seattle Mariner fans and fairweathered NFL Seattle Seahawks fans, along with some NHL Vancouver Canucks fans sprinkled in as well. This group in general doesn't want to see the Sonics go - but it is mainly just for bragging rights (ie, to stay a major-league 3 team city) or because the Sonics were the first major-league permanent team 40 years ago (ie nostalgia). But, these people tend to be adamant (sp) about NOT USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS but there is a small handfull who might support a new arena if it included an NHL team (again, mostly for bragging rights - major-league 4 team city, something Seattle definitely IS NOT). Again, the majority of people in this group dont really care - they just dont want to use tax dollars to pay for it. They'd rather not lose the Sonics, but hey - if they can't make it here, then it's understandable that they must go. Just be fair. This group also tends to be quiet and timid, typical Seattle behaviour that doesn't often get 'advertised as such'.

:artist: group 3) hippy NIMBY Seattle = 200,000 + most of the remainder of the state. These are quite vocal people, especially when it comes to Seattle stealing all of the state's dollars. Most are adamently against anything Seattle, so they oppose the tax just out of spite. While they'd never admit publicly that they hate Seattle (since Seattle has a cool rep and riding Seattle's coat-tails does have some benefits in certain circles) they despise the puget sound and would never vote yes for anything that benefits Seattle. While these people are not necessarily fans of the Sonics moving to OKC, they just want Seattle to take a reality check of sorts - come back to reality that life is hard, you have to EARN what you get. These guys want to the Sonics gone today, tomorrow, immediately - just get lost; and take the other two teams with ya. ...

:numchucks group 4) NBA fans sympathetic for Seattle around the US. Probably not a large number but they are vocal and most likely have ties of some sort to Seattle or are from New Orleans. Most of these people either dont want the NBA to change (ie like the OLD NBA nostalgia, which Seattle Sonics are an integral part) or are acting out of spite against OKC. Like I said, I dont think this is a large amount of people but I think they are quite vocal - and contribute to group 1 on the internet and at gatherings, esp since group 1 is looking for any support at all to their cause.

:dizzy: group 5) NBA fans not-sympathetic for Seattle around the US. This is probably a larger group of people than group 4, these people think Seattle needs to earn the right to keep the Sonics. These people come from cities that have recently upgraded/built arenas - and think that 'HEY, since we had to so should Seattle or else they deserve to lose the team.' These people are quite vocal but mostly have to be prompted before they say anything. This group is obviously OKC's biggest ally (outside group 6 of course).

:fighting3 group 6) OKC fans (some 1.1M in the metro you'd think). Probably most of us on this forum fall into this category, I think there are also a very significant number of people from KS, TX, and AR that are in this group as well. We want the team, either the Sonics but probably preferably the Hornets; but hey, with Clay Bennett - we get 2 teams, local ownership, and a healty relationship between city leaders/corporations that should result in a very permanent relocation and a successful franchise. And, with Durant and Green on the roster and the possibility (should I say, probability) that Clay will go after CP3 and Mason and Chandler in a year or so - this groups believes in OKC's potential that it might be the best supported team per capita in the league and even might be up there just under the big 4 markets (NY, Chicago, LA, SF) in terms of value. This group has a 2/3 to 1/3 split in terms of being vocal about their feelings but even the vocal majority are quite cautious given OKC's history of being pawned.

There is a group 7 (60,000 in the metro) which are OKC fans that don't want the Sonics but want another team/expansion team and probably even a group 8 (140,000 in the metro) who dont want major-league sports at all or dont think OKC can support it. Im not sure how big those groups are but I can guess that both are very insignificant however group 8 might be the more vocal with group 7 tending to occupy more of an internet role (I think moreso of an IMAGE issue they have more than the actual issue).

Well, that's my take on this. As you can see, we will NOT pass an arena plan in 13 days because no-majority of people are for it. A smart move by the council/state would have been to put it on the ballot and let the voters take the weight off of the issue. Another smart move by the council would have been sit down with Bennett to hear what he had to say - then make your move regarding the 'lawyering up, blah blah blah'.

Whatever the case, well see how the court rules later today - maybe he will throw it out and let arbitration handle it. But in all honesty --- I hope he just hears the oral arguments today and sits on it until after Oct 31, then throws it out or rules outright for arbitration or in favor of whatever other oral pleading Bennett introduces. That way, we can be ASSURED that there will be NO MONENTUM gained by Oct 31 on a new arena (and hopefully the date comes and goes - oops, too late!!!! See ya!!!!!).

Go OKC Sonics!!! 13 more days. ... :boxing2:

Any news on the hearing today?

Thu October 18, 2007

Sonics have hearing; decision forthcoming


By Darnell Mayberry
The Oklahoman

A Washington state federal judge listened to an hour of arguments from attorneys for the city of Seattle and the Sonics on Thursday afternoon and said he would make a ruling on where the case would continue as soon as possible.
http://promos.newsok.com/adlog.php?bannerid=1873&clientid=994&zoneid=487&source=&block=0&capping=0&cb=3d68af611f07550d127398b358361671


http://promos.newsok.com/adview.php?what=zone:487&n=aeed6e25 (http://promos.newsok.com/adclick.php?n=aeed6e25)


Judge Ricardo Martinez, a U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Washington, is expected to decide within the next week whether the Sonics can have their case heard by a panel of arbitrators or must stay in court, as the city of Seattle is pushing.

Martinez didn’t set a date for a decision or any future hearings, according to his administrative assistant Melody Byrd.

Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr joined attorneys Paul Lawrence and Jeffrey Johnson on behalf of the city. Paul Taylor and at least one other attorney from the Seattle-based law firm Byrnes and Keller represented the Sonics.
Lawrence declined to comment on the hearing and Taylor couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.

Louis Richmond, a spokesman for Byrnes & Keller who attended the hearing, said Martinez informed both parties that he would make his decision via e-mail. Richmond added that the process was professional and respectful, saying attorneys shook hands following the proceeding.
“It was pretty straight forward,” Richmond said. “(Judge Martinez) just listened. I don’t think he showed a prejudice to one side or another. I don’t think you would go away (from the hearing) saying, ‘Wow. This is a slam dunk for someone. Or, wow, our side won or our side lost. I think you just have to wait and see what happens.”

Meanwhile, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Thursday that the American Arbitration Association declined to hear the Sonics’ case in Denver as the team had requested in the event Martinez rules that the case is arbitrable.

Seattle officials are arguing that the Sonics should not be allowed to vacate KeyArena until their Premises Use and Occupancy Agreement expires in 2010. Attorneys for the Sonics contend the city should not be able to force the franchise to remain at KeyArena if the team fulfills its financial payments for the remaining years of the arena contract.

Sonics chairman Clay Bennett has said he would apply with the NBA for relocation to Oklahoma City if a plan for a new publicly-funded arena is not available in Washington by Oct. 31.






print()

by the way, the Sonics are playing the Lakers on TNT HD right now.

I think you guys might want to get a little acquainted with your probable team.

Yeah i watched that last night.... They're HORRIBLE!!! But so were the Hornets when they came to OKC... Having a horrible team is better than not having on at all. IMO. If they have another bad season this year, (which i predict they will) it'll be a good thing for OKC (IF we end up getting the team), We'll get another high draft pick in the 2008 Draft. Hopefully another superstar like Durant!!!!

Well these Sonics will stink it up this year for sure but expect them to get good quick. Bennett knows he'll have to actually try to turn the profit here that he could in Seattle.

Durant, Green, and OJ Mayo will make the OKC Sonics DOMINANT for many years!!!!

If they have another bad season this year, (which i predict they will) it'll be a good thing for OKC (IF we end up getting the team), We'll get another high draft pick in the 2008 Draft.

And you have to think that the first year or two will be good for the organization, because the city will be embracing a new team. If the get better, the demand will only grow for the team.

If they were good already 1) they wouldn't be moving and 2) the fans would get spoiled and want the same results every year right off the bat. That's just the nature of sports and one small way to spin it positive ;)

That is a very good point.

And if BDP is accurate, then I would have to argue that Clay Bennett is a VERY VERY GOOD BUSINESSMAN!!! To think this all through to consider every detail; all the way down to a bum lame duck final year for Seattle (year 40) that fans here wont really get too attached to and then starting FRESH in OKC in 2008 with 'seasoned' new players. .. plus, identifying the lease and its problems which should weigh in the Sonics' favor... and getting the BOG and Stern on his side and at the same time, punishing Seattle for being complacent and lazy. ..

It may not be ethical, but nobody would even BLINK if Clay Bennett weren't from OKC or intending to bring the team from OKC. I bet, if Clay were going to move the Sonics to Vegas that this drama the city of Seattle is putting up wouldn't even happen. Certainly, you could also argue the same if McClendon didn't open his big mouth so soon.

Anyways, it should still work in OKC's favor and the 'new' Sonics should call OKC home next year - perfect timing!!

...you could also argue the same if McClendon didn't open his big mouth so soon.

Knowing this group of guys, I think it's safe to say that Aubrey's statement was a planned move.

I dont disagree John, but I think it would have helped their/our cause if the comment were made, say NOW, as opposed to back in August/September whenever it was.

In fact, I think such a comment would be APPROPRIATE NOW instead of two months ago. Making it then just helped fan the fire and make OKC look bad, whether we like/admit it or not.

Sonics face 2nd suit over possible exit

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

Two days after two Sonics season-ticket holders filed a lawsuit against the team Oct. 1, a second suit claiming the new ownership group misled ticket buyers was filed in King County Superior Court.

Plaintiff Robert Brotherson charges the Sonics "sent a letter to potential season-ticket holders guaranteeing that season ticket prices would be frozen at their current levels through the 2009-10 season." The suit states the team "knew or should have known that the Sonics future in Seattle for the next three seasons was at best uncertain and more likely than not the team was going to be moved."

Both lawsuits seek class-action status on behalf of ticket buyers who purchased season tickets between July 2006, when the Oklahoma City-based Professional Basketball Club purchased the Sonics and Storm, and Sept. 21, when chairman Clay Bennett filed a demand for arbitration to escape the final two years of the team's KeyArena lease.

Dan Mahoney, a spokesman for the Sonics ownership group, declined to comment.

The law firms representing each group of plaintiffs are working together, said Tom Baich, an associate attorney with Myers & Company, which represents plaintiffs Patrick Shehee and Carolyn Bechtel.

"People like to simplify situations and when they simplify this, they say fan lawsuits have a very low record of success," said Brian Robinson, president of Save Our Sonics and Storm, the fan group trying to prevent the teams from relocating. "But this is not a traditional fan lawsuit because we're not talking about emotional damages, we're not talking about people being invested in the team. What we're talking about is specific acts of fraud by the team."

Robinson estimates financial damages to the Sonics could exceed $15 million.

"We believe it's a very valid case," he said. "In my perfect world, we would see financial penalties and we might see a court order that would force the team to honor their promises."

Jackson waived

The Sonics released point guard Jermaine Jackson, who was the only player on the team without a guaranteed contract. In four games, the sixth-year journeyman averaged 1.3 points and 1.5 assists.

The roster now stands at 14 players.

West bruises thigh

Guard Delonte West has teased the Sonics coaching staff with a couple of standout performances in exhibitions, but he has also attributed to their frustrations because of his inability to stay healthy.

Just when it appeared as if West was gaining momentum and making a push for a starting job at point guard or shooting guard, he suffered another setback and is questionable for tonight's game against Golden State at KeyArena because of a right thigh bruise.

"Delonte's biggest problem has been being able to practice right now," coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We need to get him healthy and get him on the floor before we can even evaluate. He's had a couple of games where individually he did some really good things, but until we see him playing with the team it's just really hard."

West was arguably the Sonics' best player during Saturday's 117-94 defeat against Houston when he finished with 22 points and seven assists during 30 minutes. He also played well (14 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) against Sacramento in the exhibition opener.

Notes

• Because 7-footers (Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Mouhamed Sene) have yet to lock up the starting center job, Nick Collison could win the job when the season begins Oct. 31 at Denver. Collison started 56 games at the position last season. However, Carlesimo had hoped to return the 6-foot-10 player to power forward.

• Rookie Jeff Green is expected to receive a lot of minutes this week at power forward against Golden State today and Phoenix on Friday.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Sonics | Sonics face 2nd suit over possible exit | Seattle Times Newspaper (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2003968554&zsection_id=2003783132&slug=soni23&date=20071023)

Plaintiff Robert Brotherson charges the Sonics "sent a letter to potential season-ticket holders guaranteeing that season ticket prices would be frozen at their current levels through the 2009-10 season."

Without knowing exactly everything that the letter "guaranteed," whose to say that season-ticket holders wouldn't be guaranteed that season ticket prices will be frozen at their current levels through the 2009-10 season? The venue might change... several thousand miles... but the prices will stay the same!

:kicking: