Former Sonics owner threatening lawsuit over move to OKC

[RoboNerd]

Article Here

Legal experts are weighing in as this being a "longshot" suit. But one must wonder exactly what was on the contract for the sale of the team -- and how anyone can make such a determination without knowing the details. If the recently discovered e-mails (which basically prove what we all knew all along -- Bennett wants to move the team to OKC... *duh*) clash with something in the sale contract, this could be a huge mess.

Imagine the Sonics relocated here -- only to be yanked back to Seattle after 1-2 seasons if Schultz reclaims the team.

What do you guys think? If Mr. Bennett did indeed display "bad faith", are we looking at having our NBA dreams dashed once again?

[OKCMallen]

Saying "I'm doing everything I can" does not mean much at all. If anything, it shows that Clay understood there were certain things he COULDN'T do, and further, it shows his COMMITMENT to follwoing the rules. I'd be more worried if he said- we're doing what we want no matter what.

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

Honestly, I believe this whole thing is becoming a joke. Hopefully Seattlites do not see Howard Schultz as some kind of Sonic saver.

[srkboy23]

You have to read most of the e-mails than the ones that are shown in the articles.

Here is the actually document with the e-mails:
http://www.kirotv.com/download/2008/0410/15849359.pdf

Read the e-mails on pages 5, 10, 32 and 35. Tell me how he is making a "good faith effort."

[donuteyes]

if you look at this objectively, this whole deal is weird and shady.

it seems obvious that bennett was wanting to move the team before he claimed. this is embarassing, especially the whole "oklahoma sonic boom" bit. if it's really no big deal, why was mcclendon fined $250,000 for his comments about not wanting to stay in seattle? because this is embarassing to david stern.

and don't be surprised if this happens to us, bennett's already started his schtick...

Per newsok.com (Sonics owners push tax incentives | NewsOK.com, the team is seeking “a rebate on a portion of payroll taxes it will pay if it relocates”. Some local Republicans view the proposed rebate as corporate welfare. It has already failed once in the state senate.
“I want the Sonics here. I’m just not favorable to this sweetheart deal,” Rep. Paul Wesselhoft - R said. “We’ve been blackmailed from the beginning on this.”
Rep. Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City, who also voted against the bill, said he received an e-mail from Bennett that said the team might not come to Oklahoma City unless the House passes the tax incentive.
“I just don’t think this thing has been handled right. That’s kind of holding legislators hostage,” Joyner said.
“I’m not anti-NBA, but this is not right.”

i can't be the only one who thinks that sounds shady. that's an oklahoma paper reporting, and it's not really being discussed. why are we financially helping out a multimillionaire owner and his multimillion dollar league? HE WANTS TO COME HERE, or at least that's what he said, so why make demands of our legislators, and why are we giving in to EVERYTHING he wants? we don't even have the team, and he's gotten a sales tax and a tax incentive passed. are we that desperate? do we really need this? i'm starting to think not, at least not from clay bennett.

[Easy180]

“
i can't be the only one who thinks that sounds shady. that's an oklahoma paper reporting, and it's not really being discussed. why are we financially helping out a multimillionaire owner and his multimillion dollar league? HE WANTS TO COME HERE, or at least that's what he said, so why make demands of our legislators, and why are we giving in to EVERYTHING he wants? we don't even have the team, and he's gotten a sales tax and a tax incentive passed. are we that desperate? do we really need this? i'm starting to think not, at least not from clay bennett.

Daily Oklahoman also quoted Rodney Fort who said the lease was far from a sweetheart deal...I will take his view over a state rep who doesn't understand the industry

Basically boils down to a tax break and bringing the Ford center up to par with the arena being built in Tulsa

Got off easy