Hi good people of Oklahoma City.

Taking Solitude's suggestion for a new thread that could be appended to: I'd like for us to post any and all NBA in OKC issues here. This includes Sonics, Storm, Hornets, what people are saying and/or doing about getting the NBA to OKC and even those who are against.

for starters, I will update everyone on the current deal.

Oklahoma City successfully hosted the New Orleans Hornets for two years, for the 2005-06, and 2006-07 seasons. The Hornets were renamed in honour of their temporary host and the team did very well, as judged by the NBA and most of the nation. David Stern is on record stating his satisfaction with OKC and that the city is at the top of the relocation for NBA franchises.

Clayton Bennett was instrumental in getting the Hornets a temporary home in OKC. He was a former minority owner and NBA board member of the San Antonio Spurs, and receives credit with building a strong franchise in that market. Bennett has consistently expressed his desire to purchase a team and move it to Oklahoma City. Bennett assembled many of the Hornet's corporate sponsors together and the group, known as the Professional Basketball Club, LLC purchased the Seattle Supersonics and Storm franchise on July 2006, with the deal closing in October. As part of the deal, Bennett agreed not to seek relocation of the franchise until after Oct 31, 2007 - giving Seattle some time to work out a new arena deal.

As such is the case, Oct 31 has come and gone and there has not been any movement on the arena situation. Bennett is in town and is expected to announce on Friday, Nov 2 the team's next moves. Most experts expect him to announce that he has filed for relocation, with the date to be as early as 2008 season but could be as late as 2010. This is due to side attempts by the city of Seattle to hold the team to the lease with Key Arena, thereby holding off the relocation for two more seasons. The case has gone to a Federal Judge in Washington state, who seems to be quite apathetic toward the city. He has ruled in favor of hearing the case in his court and not allowing the Sonics case to be settled by a group of arbitrators. Once again, the actual merits of the case still must be worked out and litigation is forthcoming, afterwhich the judge will rule whether the lease is enforceable and therefore must be honored by the Sonics. If he rules against the city, then the Sonics can relocate - however terms would then need to be discussed.

Let us now carry forward with any and all NBA in OKC issues with this thread.

Happy posting and GOOD LUCK to the NBA in Oklahoma City!!