HUGE NEWS! Clay Bennett & Co. buy Supersonics!

[jbrown84]

It should also be considered that he has to convince the NBA owners that a relocation to Oklahoma City would be prudent.

But that makes no sense when Stern just said point blank on ESPN that we are the top choice for a new team.

[Easy180]

I go back to my statement of how much more press our fine city got in 2 years compared to what we received over the last 20

Last ounce of national press we received was the Murrah bombing....The NBA did wonders for us while the Hornets were here and will help us immeasurably when it comes back

Like the NBA or not...It means a heck of a lot to a city like OKC...Unless you are comfortable with keeping our image as the bombing city and home of tornadoes

And now watermelon's as vegetables

[Intrepid]

Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago, who was also there, said "it was about money — they can't make a return on their investment in Oklahoma ... he really expected to end up in Vegas."

Again, sounds like inference and speculation to me. Without transcripts of the actual meeting, this story is meaningless.

On the same note as what the Councilwoman said, Craig Humphries on WWLS The Sports Animals said earlier today an insider close to Bennet told him that the return on investment was much, much greater for the Sonics franchise in Vegas than OKC. He also said that the insider sees the Hornets coming back after a failed year in N.O. but that one of the problems with that is Stern hates Shinn and really doesn't want to do anything to help him out.

These are the games business people play.

[BDP]

But that makes no sense when Stern just said point blank on ESPN that we are the top choice for a new team.

Stern isn't all of the owners. They all have a vote as far as I understand it.

[metro]

But think how much better that will make OKC look should Vegas now look like the likely candidate and wham........ OKC gets the Sonics and they succeed here. Yeah its a no brainer without punching the numbers that the franchise will be worth more in Vegas, but they will have a more loyal fan base here. A franchise in Vegas will be primarily tourists attending games although they'll have no problem selling tickets. I still think Bennett has his heart set here, just be patient and let's see before you start cursing him, etc. If the franchise does move here, you'll be eating your words. Patience Danielson! Then if they don't come, we'll all start a grassroots anti-Bennett/Gaylord campaign.

[Intrepid]

Stern isn't all of the owners. They all have a vote as far as I understand it.

You're right. The 29 teams vote and 15 "yes" votes are needed for approval.

[Pete]

Here's something that is too easy to forget: Actions speak louder than words.


Here are specific actions Bennett & his partners have undertaken in the last 5 years:

1. Formed a partnership with the public goal of bringing a big-league pro sports team to OKLAHOMA CITY.

2. Took a hard run at getting an NHL franchise for OKLAHOMA CITY.

3. Were the main force behind getting the Hornets to play in OKLAHOMA CITY.

4. Tried to buy a majority interest in the Hornets when there was still on-going talk about them staying in OKLAHOMA CITY.

5. Acquired a struggling NBA franchise with a failing future in it's present location only -- and pretty soon -- after the NBA made it clear the Hornets would not return to OKLAHOMA CITY.

6. In article in last Sunday's Oklahoman, it was revealed that McClendon had purchased over 12,000 acres as a personal investment, and all of it was in and around OKLAHOMA CITY.

7. McClendon's Chesapeake Energy now owns over 300 separate pieces of real estate in OKLAHOMA CITY.

8. Tom Ward moved his Riata Energy company (now SandRidge) to OKLAHOMA CITY.

9. Where do all the partners live? Where are all their businesses and ample investments located?


Simply put, these men all stand to gain much more than ROI on a basketball team. They are all very well positioned to reap a massive windfall if OKC lands a team and continues it's advance as a "major league" city.


Yes, they are businessmen trying to make so money. But for all of them, the investment in this pro basketball team is insignificant in comparison to their holdings and interest in our favorite town.

[SoonerDave]

Keep in mind, all, that Las Vegas may be a *financially* appealing alternative, but it is not a politically appealing alternative. I don't think Stern wants a franchise within 100 miles of Las Vegas, and as we all know, Stern is as much about impressions as he is anything else. The all-star event in Las Vegas this last year was a behind-the-scenes disaster, and that's why Stern would barely even give the LV mayor the time of day about a franchise presentation.

While I think Bennett et al are probably going to end up in OKC, keep in mind that the real threat in all this is Kansas City. I think they're going to cook up a proposal that might throw an unfathomable amount of cash to Bennett to move the Sonics there. Bennett, as a businessman, would be crazy not to at least listen, even if his predisposition is to come to OKC.

I still think there's a potential three-team dance to be played out before it's all done, and that could still involve a franchise trade with Shinn, Bennett, and a player to be named later.

Frustratingly, this house of cards is so fragile right now that it could still work out that OKC ends up with zilch the coming year or two, or could still conceivably be the permanent home to either the Sonics OR the Hornets...still very tricky to discern right now.

-soonerdave

[Jack Wonder]

ESPN.com - NBA - Sonics owner taking 'really hard' look at Vegas

Sonics owner Bennett tells officials he's eyeing VegasESPN.com news services


Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm owner Clay Bennett has told Seattle business and civic leaders that Las Vegas, not his home town of Oklahoma City, could be a destination for the team, The Seattle Times reported.

Sheridan: Options Abound
Chris Sheridan senses that the Sonics will remain in Seattle for one more year, then Clay Bennett will start playing prospective relocation cities against one another. Blog

Bennett's comments were made at a Wednesday board meeting of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau and comfirmed by a Sonics spokesman.


Team spokesman Jim Kneeland said while no firm plans are in place, the team is "looking really hard right now" at Las Vegas, the Times reported. That follows the Washington state legislature's rejection of public funding for a proposed $500 million arena in suburban Renton to replace KeyArena.

"He [Bennett] said, 'I'd still like to get a deal done here, but we're at a point where we have to start looking at other options,'" Kneeland said. The Sonics and Storm have a lease at KeyArena through 2010, but Bennett has said he may try to negotiate a way out of that deal after next season rather than play out the string.

The proposal could raise eyebrows across the NBA for two key reasons:

• It has been presumed since Bennett purchased the teams a year ago that he would move them to his native Oklahoma if he could not get a deal done in Seattle. Oklahoma City hosted the New Orleans Hornets for two NBA seasons in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the city's support for the team impressed league observers.

• Commissioner David Stern has long insisted that the NBA will not allow a franchise relocation or expansion to Las Vegas until the city's casinos ban betting on NBA games. The city's latest proposal to the NBA did not meet that demand, though Stern has announced he'll appoint an ownership committee to study the issue.


Bennett has repeatedly said he'd rather keep the teams in the Seattle area, since it's a larger and more affluent market than Oklahoma City.

But if market size and money are factors, then Las Vegas naturally becomes a desirable alternative, officials who attended the meeting said of Bennett's thinking.


"What I heard him say was that if he ended up having to move the team, Vegas would likely be a more attractive market than Oklahoma City," Steve Leahy, chief executive of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, told the Times.


Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago told the newspaper "It was about money -- they can't make a return on their investment in Oklahoma ... he really expected to end up in Vegas."

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has said she will not call the state Legislature into special session on an arena financing plan, and state House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, is resolutely opposed to taxpayer funding for an arena.


"They already have a place to play. It's nice. There are no potholes in the court there. Every player has health care. They all had the opportunity to go to college. Let's get real here," Chopp told the Seattle Times editorial board. "If they want to [build a new arena], we're not stopping them. They can pay for it themselves."

Meanwhile, Lenny Wilkens said Thursday he has been promoted from vice chairman to team president and is no longer a candidate to replace Rick Sund as general manager or Bob Hill as coach. On Tuesday, Hill was fired and Sund was removed from his post. Sund will remain with the team as a consultant during the final year of his contract.

Sounds more like OKC is now a "last resort".

[Easy180]

Just blowing smoke up Seattle's ......

Has to say he is considering other cities...Won't happen unless our city leader's deal for the Sonics is just plain horrible

[Kerry]

I give up. From a potential fan stand point I can't figure out what the hell is going on. I have tried to remain optimistic through every piece of news but I am getting relocation fatigue. I am just going to sit down and shut up until a press conference is called. Vegas, Renton, KC, OKC - who the hell knows anymore.

This is my last post on this thread. Peace out.

[zuluwarrior0760]

Hornets will crater in Nawlins

Bennett won't be allowed to go to Vegas but KC is going to
give him a zillion suitcases full of cash and they've already
got the arena to lure a team....he'll turn the team for a tidy
profit of 20-40mil shortly thereafter.......

Seattle will be left like a relic and the Hornets will return to
OKC in 2012.....maybe with Bennett as "an" owner.....

Let's look back in 2012 and see if my crystal ball was right......

[Patrick]

Actually Bennett has everything to lose by not moving a team here to OKC. Think of how much more all of his other investments will be worth with an NBA team HERE.

He also has the risk of losing his reputation here, which is incredibly huge considering all of his investments are here. If he chooses to move the team elsewhere, don't expect any favors from any of the city leaders here, and expect everything to be uphill here, including zoning changes for Chesapeake, favors for Bennett, etc. It will be hell to pay at city hall in terms of favors if they move the team elsewhere.

[Patrick]

You can send all your hate mail to his home address: 1604 Dorchester Dr. Just kidding.

[writerranger]

Actually Bennett has everything to lose by not moving a team here to OKC. Think of how much more all of his other investments will be worth with an NBA team HERE.

He also has the risk of losing his reputation here, which is incredibly huge considering all of his investments are here. If he chooses to move the team elsewhere, don't expect any favors from any of the city leaders here, and expect everything to be uphill here, including zoning changes for Chesapeake, favors for Bennett, etc. It will be hell to pay at city hall in terms of favors if they move the team elsewhere.

Patrick, (Good to see you posting again, btw)....I would agree with you if it was anybody but Clay Bennett. First and foremost Bennett is a GAYLORD. He married into great wealth and power. The Gaylord's have always put whatever is best for them before what's best for Oklahoma City. I know, they've done a lot of good with their money in the state. But frankly, their companies being privately held keeps them in the shadows of what they are REALLY worth. The ratio of wealth/philanthropy is said to be incredibly weak. But, there's no denying they've done some good things. But that also doesn't change the fact that the Gaylord money trail has always been to LEAVE Oklahoma. I certainly hope they don't do that in this case.

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

[Pete]

People tend to act out of self-interest and as long as OKC could support a team (and I think that's already been proven) than all the partners would benefit the most from the team being in Oklahoma.

There are simply huge benefits that would flow to the investment group, and pro sports franchises tend not to make much money -- if any.

[writerranger]

People tend to act out of self-interest and as long as OKC could support a team (and I think that's already been proven) than all the partners would benefit the most from the team being in Oklahoma.

There are simply huge benefits that would flow to the investment group, and pro sports franchises tend not to make much money -- if any.

I hope you're right. Gawd, I hope you're right. It seems like the partnership would fall apart pretty fast if Bennett took the team anywhere else. Do you - or anybody else - know the percentage of ownership details of the group?

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

[Pete]

I don't want to get off on a tangent about the Gaylords but now that the old man's gone, I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

They do a great deal for the community and for OU and the Oklahoman has always had one of the best web presences of any newspaper. Unless someone is aware of some agregious actions that have occurred *recently* I think we all need to stop assuming they are just out to screw people.

I've know Christy Everest for a long time, for example, and I've always thought she was extremely sharp and generally a good person.

They are business people as is Clay Bennett. However, I think Clay knows there would be serious backlash if he had the opportunity to relocate the Sonics and took them to another city, especially in light of the support of commisioner Stern.

Bennett is the head man with his neck way out there. And he and his wife are never going to leave OKC, so I have a hard time believing that he would not bring his team to Oklahoma unless something went very wrong.

[Patrick]

writerranger, first off, glad to be back. I just finished an incredibly tough rotation, and hope to be back on here more often.

Concerning the Sonics, one thing you have to consider is the other members that are part of the ownership group, that aren't part of the Gaylord clan. They have a lot to benefit with an NBA team in Oklahoma City.

[CCOKC]

David Stern was just interviewed during the Mavs/Warriors game that Bennett did not say the most likely city he will move the Soniics is Las Vegas and if he did say that he will be retracting the statement tomorrow.

[okclee]

David Stern was just interviewed during the Mavs/Warriors game that Bennett did not say the most likely city he will move the Soniics is Las Vegas and if he did say that he will be retracting the statement tomorrow.

I heard Stern say that too, He really kind of laughed it off, as if moving to Las Vegas is not an option.

[OKC PATROL]

History-
Gaylords spew their name on everything/everywhere- costing but a dime. Takes off to Nash and wipes on memorial stadium on the way out.

Dirt thrown on OKC by tulsans for years.

Bombings and twisters. More dirt.

Katrina.

OKC saves the hornets with humble pie.

Hatred bubbles up from the mud pits of Nawlins.

Mudslinging. more Mudslinging on OKC by them nawlins'(while trying to find their next hot meal-given to them by oklahomans).

Bennet/McClendon/company vows NHL/NBA-in OKC. Draws hornets...la de da da... Then buys sonics!

Shinn/Hornets (crying)- leaves OKC for a pompous, dirty hell hole for NBA PR.

More mud thrown by nawlins(just in case we end up w/ the hornets later).

Stern announces OKC next destination for NBA.

Seattle flicks articulate buggers and nasty degrading comments at OKC. Along with their CITY LEADERS- more great PR.

Little more dirt flung over by tulsans and surrounding region.

Bennet plays cat and mouse with Seattle for trillion dollar disneyland miracle. But still desires to also keep the team in the wash. region if he can. But still Repeats his devotion to OKC. Stern Repeats message.

Bennet has love affair with Vegas and KC. Committee is created by Stern for other city options.

More drama...mud....dirt....drama....dirt/mud...buggers....and more bad PR.

If the sonics dont come to town, then a public tar and feathering should happen at will rogers airport.

History repeats. --There's three types of people out there chuck......and now OKC is all covered in .....

[Patrick]

If the sonics dont come to town, then a public tar and feathering should happen at will rogers airport.

I concur. We all know where Bennett lives! LOL!

[windowphobe]

I won't support any tar and feathering efforts until after NW 50th between Penn and May is repaved.

[Patrick]

I won't support any tar and feathering efforts until after NW 50th between Penn and May is repaved.

Hmmm. Very close to your home on NW 47th. I don't blame you one bit. Hopefully MAPS for Kids will get around to renovating Monroe Elementary one of these days as well.