Re: HUGE NEWS! Clay Bennett & Co. buy Supersonics!
Yep, anything to do with the sonics and the seattle papers run with it. It sure sells papers, you know - controversy. And everybody in Seattle (esp fans) want to know where OKC stands, any dirt or whatever - sells papers.
that being said, no news is good news for OKC. Bennett is pissed at Seattle and I highly doubt he will really consider anything else. I originally thought he'd make an announcement soon that he's decided to pack up and head to OKC with at least a split season (still could happen), but now Im thinking it may be to his advantage to lay low - that way, there wont be any back-door salvation plans which Seattle is infamous in coming up with. No matter what it seems here, at the very last minute somebody seems to all of sudden have the answer.
Im sure if this were to happen, Bennett would need to consider it - which if nothing else, would push or extend his self-imposed Oct 31 deadline. Doing so could - could make it so the legislature could get another shot at it in Jan, where they'd probably fast track some sort of proposal through. This is exactly what happened with the Seattle Mariners and Safeco Field, for a state with no money in the very last minute - a prominent senator named 'Slade "the blade" Gordon' got the momentum and found the funds.
Some were thinking Margarita Prentice would be the Sonic's blade but I think given time, Governer Christine Gregoire actually would do it. But she can't until the next session, which is why I think someone might try to come up with something last minute as a stall tactic to delay for the session.
Im hopeful that either 1) Bennett announces well before Oct 31 (say by Aug 1) that "no deals are on the table are feasible, so we will a) go ahead and move to OKC for the 2007 season or b) have a split season with OKC getting games beginning Jan 2008, or 2) Bennett waits until Oct 31 then announce the Sonics are headed to OKC beginning with a split season in Jan then permanently for 2008+.
I think the key for Bennett IS to have a split season for this 2007-2008 season. He needs to gradually remove the teams from Seattle and gradually introduce them to OKC - with a finale for Seattle end of season in Apr next year. That would be the classy thing to do while at the same time he could establish the fan base in OKC and come out break even as he'd avoid being the lame duck. And such a split season would allow OKC to do some quick improvements to the Ford Center - get that fast tracked in, then the real expansions could take place next summer (since the WNBA Storm would probably play in the more intimate Cox anyways). the Cox arena could get "upped" before the WNBA season 2008.
Like I said, it is in Bennett's best interest to either make some announcement about relocation WELL BEFORE or Right ON/After Oct 31. Otherwise, he risks having a lame duck season with plenty of losses which would really make him look bad not to mention the city of Seattle. Ticket sales are far from wonderful, so we'll see if the draft helps make a dent. I predict, if not - then an announcement would come shortly thereafter - to give OKC a chance!
Even if something were on the table by mid-July, there'd be a fat chance in hell that it could get public approval by Oct 31 and short of someone buying Bennett out (which he'd have to agree to sell the team which I don't think he will do), no private funding will come in time either. The Muckelshoots are the best shot and that is already pretty much Dead On Arrival due to the location and unspectacular funding plan.
Oklahoma City, the RENAISSANCE CITY!
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