HUGE NEWS! Clay Bennett & Co. buy Supersonics!

[Easy180]

no problem METRO (et al), Ill keep the neg press comin'. What are friends for.?

There's lots of it up here, the Sonics' losing is only helping OKC's cause. Even booster SONIC fans know the teams will move to OKC, many even think like us - that it will happen this year. Some are holding out and pitching dirt on OKC/jealous - but they are mostly trying to "blame" someone instead of looking at it from a realistic point-of-view.

I think Bennett has given Seattle WAY TOO MUCH respect and consideration with regard to the Sonics. How many other ownership groups will sit and lose money in a market just to "save face" or "save the face of the market it's leaving".??

Hopefully OKC can get one of the top draft pix for 2007.

Well it certainly wouldn't be a local player...Geez

Would be funny if Durant w/ the Horns gets picked by the Sonics

[SoonerDave]

Hmmm...I thought the Sonics organization had already released a statement stating they would not be filing the paperwork necessary to declare their intent to move the franchise in time for the '07 season....??

-soonerdave

[mranderson]

Hmmm...I thought the Sonics organization had already released a statement stating they would not be filing the paperwork necessary to declare their intent to move the franchise in time for the '07 season....??

-soonerdave

True. However, how many businesses or others have said something will not happen, then, it does?

[PUGalicious]

True. However, how many businesses or others have said something will not happen, then, it does?

It seems to be pretty much set in stone at this point, considering the deadline has passed.

(USA TODAY) SEATTLE — Even if a new arena proposal doesn't win the support of Washington state lawmakers, the Seattle SuperSonics will be in the Pacific Northwest for at least one more season.

The Sonics will not file paperwork with the NBA, by a March 1 deadline, to potentially relocate the franchise, team spokesman Tom Savage confirmed Thursday night.

But what does the USA Today know?

[mranderson]

It seems to be pretty much set in stone at this point, considering the deadline has passed.

But what does the USA Today know?

Deadlines can be extended, and are. Fair or not fair, that is life and business. Hotrod has been around for a long time, in fact, he followed many of us here. So, personally, I think he is reliable... And I know I am not alone in that thought.

[PUGalicious]

It wasn't Hot Rod's reliability I was questioning.

[HOT ROD]

ya PU.

The NBA deadline was March 1 and Bennett did say he wouldn't file, but I think that was to show strong support for HIS Arena proposal.

He doesn't want to ask the state of WA for some $320M+ then file for relocation before the end of WA's session (mid Apr). That wouldn't make political sense.

BUT, if Im right - I bet he will go to the board after the end of the WA session, once his arena plan is killed. It has all but been killed already, with the top leadership and most "common" legislators not supporting him - AND with the state approving the "lower" minor league arena plans (see above). In fact, they specifically wrote that the funding WILL NOT go insupport or be manipulated into supporting the SONICS.

I think all OKC has to do is wait 3 weeks then Bennett will be making plans and arrangements (behind the scenes at first, of course) to move the teams to OKC. Im almost positive he will meet with the NBA board off the record at first - to discuss the move to OKC.

Once the politics die down and the Hornets certify their move back to N.O. full-time, then I bet there will soon follow with a public announcement of his intent on moving the team to OKC. The board will probably grant an "emergency exception" due to OKC's success/market and Bennett's "good faith effort/due diligence" in the Seattle area.

I don't see any reason why the NBA would keep an owner in a losing proposition - and he stands to lose tens of millions of dollars staying here in Seattle. In fact, he might lose hundreds of millions if he stays here next year - Seattle just does not do good supporting losing/lame duck teams.

I'd say, spend the $90M or so on a Key Arena buyout, move the team over the summer and get that money back (and then some) in OKC. Im no insider or expert, this just seems to make business sense given the situation up here.

I can and will be you all's inside to how things are going here. I think Seattle will do just fine with 2 major league teams (MLB and NFL), because in order for the NBA or NHL to do well here - it needs to be in downtown Seattle; and we know for the time being that will not happen.

[Kerry]

USA Today - The Sonics will not file paperwork with the NBA, by a March 1 deadline, to potentially relocate the franchise, team spokesman Tom Savage confirmed Thursday night.

Why is this statement so hard to understand? Tom Savage was right, they didn't file by March 1. That's because they were going to file after March 1. Maybe if Tom had said something like "The Sonics will not petition the NBA to relocate for the 2007/08 season" then you could say the Sonics weren't planning to move after the season.

Mark my words - the NBA will hold an emergency meeting to relocate the Sonics. Here is why I think this will happen. The Hornets will go back to NO for 2007/08 and it will be a disaster. The Sonics will also be a disaster in they stay in Seattle. The NBA will not want two disaster in the same season. And it will make things ugly in 2008/09 when both the Hornets and Sonics are vying for the same city. Trust me - Stern doesn't want to play that senario. It would be mush easier if Sonics move this off season and the Hornets move to KC after next season.

[Easy180]

Absolutely...No way they make Bennett keep a lame duck team in Seattle if Washington doesn't get the deal done

Stupid deadline or not....They know everything is in place in OKC and season tix will disappear quickly with obtaining our own team

Would still give them what 6 or 7 months to get everything organized b4 the preseason...Plenty of time

[Nixon7]

just a quick question - someone mentioned it earlier. Would an OKC team be on a cable station that would be statewide? I know the Hornets are on cox, but only the metro gets that, right? I know my buddies down in Ardmore cant ever get hornets games unless they are on espn, and they cant get as interested in it. Would it be on Fox SW maybe? Just a thought.

[HOT ROD]

I would hope that the permanent team that relocates to OKC, say the SONICS, would be smart and get as much market as possible. It is already known that OKC is one of the smallest of the NBA markets (Memphis is the only smaller, NO is just above us - but is also probably smaller now). We're roughly at 750K subscribers for the OKC metro/Central OK.

If we add in the state cable systems, then that gives OKC roughly a 2M market. Add in KS (1M), AR (1M), W. TX/NM (1M) then you get the roughly 5M market concatchment I was talking about. That is what the Sonics should go after.

It may not take place for the 2007-2008 season given it is very soon and the teams would JUST be moving to OKC - but hopefully at the very minimum, we can get Tulsa and Lawton cable systems to have some PPV games (hopefully Wichita also) for 2007/8 as well as have a few preseason exhibition games in Tulsa, Wichita, ABQ, KC, and Little Rock.

I think that will do well to establish the regional market as those cities are the closest who would consider traveling to OKC for a weekend and catch a game and/or buy a ppv or watch on cable esp if the team has players from the local area (which I assume will be the case).

I think after the first year, the Sonics could go after the larger concatchment market - but the first year probably would just be OKC Metro (and hopefully at minimum, Tulsa and Lawton PPV at least).

I dont know about you all but I am excited about this - and I totally agree with Kerry's assessment; that the NBA will hold a special session around the May-June timeframe to award the Sonics and Storm to OKC. They would not (and should not) force Bennett to have a lame duck year when he's already lost hundreds of millions, and since WA doesn't want the teams and OKC does and is ready ... pretty easy decision to me.

Plus, the NBA will have a losing market in N.O. for 2o07, like Kerry and others have said, I dont think Stern would want 2+ losing teams - even who cares if one is in the top 15 cable markets (Seattle/Tacoma/Puget Sound). ....

People ALREADY have stopped going to the games at Key Arena, imagine next year if in Seattle - the Washington Husky basketball would be a larger draw than the Oklahoma City (er, uhhh Seattle) Supersonics.

I dont think the NBA would stand for that - Bennett has done his due diligence and now it will be time to award him his prize - Oklahoma City!!

Both the Sonics and Storm will be embraced, but I think the Storm would move in 2008 since the wNBA season begins in May I think - way too early to move.

Nonetheless, great news for Oklahoma City, no matter the angle!!!

[MikeLucky]

Thanks for all of the info Hotrod...... I concur with your sentiments about the "regional" marketing.... Having grown up in Wichita I can tell you they would very easily become a Sonics town just like they are a Royals and Chiefs town...... and it's about the same distance from Wichita to OKC as it is to KC...... And Tulsa and Little Rock are good targets too....

Thanks again for the info and the insight.....

[metro]

Actually I think Wichita is closer to OKC isn't it?

[MikeLucky]

Actually I think Wichita is closer to OKC isn't it?

Well, it's about a 3 hour drive from Wichita to KC and it's between 2 1/2 and 3 hour drive depending on where in OKC you are going..... probably 2 1/2 to downtown.....

According to google maps from Wichita to OKC it's 162 miles..... and to KC (MO) it's 199 miles.....

[Saberman]

Thought everyone would like to see this, don't think it's going to help them...
This is a website trying to promote the new arena.

Just something else to show that they are making the effort to try and make the market there work.

King County Events Center

Site does not compare to the Dallas Cowboys fly through on their new facility.

OKC Sonics & Storm

[Pete]

Thanks for that link.

Wow, $340 - $360 mil for that facility. That would be one of the most expensive arenas in the country.

[Saberman]

How's this for a possible idea...

Build this new event center either south of the Ford center to the river, or on the west side of the new park area.

Then take half of the Cox Center Arena and make more convention space and half as a staged autoruim for smaller meetings.

That keep everything close to downtown and Bricktown area. Increases convention space., and provides a great regional event venue.

Just a thought....

Maybe MAPS IV.....

[HOT ROD]

^^ Malibu, that's JUST the taxpayer portion.

the total cost of the arena would be $520-560M; THE most expensive arena in the nation.

But yes, Bennett wants US (Seattle area taxpayers) to shell out $340-360M for it. In a South Seattle suburb nobody really cares about.

What a genious he is!!!

GO Oklahoma City SONICS and STORM, 2007+!!

[PUGalicious]

GO Oklahoma City SONICS and STORM, 20007+!!

I guess we're going to have to wait longer than even I thought... 18,000 years?

[HOT ROD]

Thanks WichitaSooner and others,

I will send my marketing plan to the city leaders (hopefully they also read this forum), so that we are ready to go once the final card has been played.

I think if we plan NOW behind the scenes - we could move quickly to make the Sonics successful in Central Oklahoma. While OKC Metro has the capacity to do it by itself, you and I know it will be even MORE successful if we get support from the region's other large cities.

And since Wichita and Tulsa are the closest - they are also obvious market candidates. Little Rock might be "in bed" with Memphis, but I think it is worth it to market to them, along with ABQ and AMA/LUB. We may not be able to make cable deals but hopefully there could be some preseason and ppv.

Here is my "plan",

1) OKC leaders meet/call leaders from OK cities, Tulsa, Wichita and Topeka/Salina, Ft. Smith and Little Rock, Amarillo and Lubbuck, ABQ, KC, Joplin and even STL - all regional large cities not in the NBA or close to one (aside from LR): guage their support/interest in having a preseason game in exchance to access to their cable network's ppv (and/or regional/local sports channel).

2) based on the response, meet behind the scenes with Professional BBall club (aka Bennett) to discuss preliminary marketing plans as well as the city's expectations.

3) make sure to get Bennett "on board" with the regional-ness of the SONICS, that we need to brand the Oklahoma City teams region-wide - following the success of the Big XII as well as the Hornets (to a lesser degree).

4) Once Bennett announces the move and the board approves, the city officials should meet in person (like go visit) the regional cities to pitch their package. See who could have a preseason game and who will let us broadcast. Hopefully and Im sure, Tulsa and Wichita will jump on board, LR and ABQ might be a tougher sell. And dont take AMA/LUB for granted nor Lawton/Enid/Ardmore. KC and STL and MO might be THE toughest sell, but i think there should at least be a phone call, along with a call to Omaha/NE.

It would be great to have a preseason game in Tulsa, Wichita, KC, and Omaha. LR might have Memphis preseason game, but if not - LR also. ABQ might have Den or STL or PHX but hey .... AMA/LUB might be too small.

5) The city should also get with travel agencies in the respective cities to develop OKC packages, esp for the weekend to tie into a game and night out on-the-town.

6) MAKE SURE to get alliance with the D-League's Tulsa 66ers as the 'exclusive' farm club. Develop a tallent pool that would see players spend some time in Tulsa then move up/down based on the needs of the SONICS. This will solidify Tulsa as a market. Also go after local talent from OU, OSU, OCU, TU, and ORU (among the other OK/KS/MO/AR/TX area schools. That way, there will be at least transient regional support (ie, some player from some local area is playing and those residents come up to the city to see him play, then get hooked on the SONICS, and make future trips, then get sold on OKC as a destination and spread the word).

Following these suggestions (and more??) would ensure support for the teams AND make it profitable for everyone - OKC and the regional cities. Plus, I think it would not only market/advertise for OKC but also "lift up" the region in which OKC is the centre.

What do you all think? I will take comments and add them to what I suggest to the OKC leadership. While this may be presumptuous - I think given what ist happening up here (not happening in other words) one could assume the SONICS will call OKC home by 2009, most likely sooner - and we should prepare and "welcome our teams with OPEN ARMS of support".

[HOT ROD]

^^ ha ha ha, oops. 2007!!!!!

Hopefully ONLY a few weeks for the announcement we're all waiting for.

[metro]

Well, it's about a 3 hour drive from Wichita to KC and it's between 2 1/2 and 3 hour drive depending on where in OKC you are going..... probably 2 1/2 to downtown.....

According to google maps from Wichita to OKC it's 162 miles..... and to KC (MO) it's 199 miles.....

So to answer my question, yes OKC is closer both time wise and mileage.

[okclee]

Do you think that the name should be the "Oklahoma City Sonics" or the "Oklahoma Sonics"?

I am thinking "Oklahoma Sonics" would mean the states NBA team, much like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vikings and Twins.

This could be another marketing strategy.

[mranderson]

Do you think that the name should be the "Oklahoma City Sonics" or the "Oklahoma Sonics"?

I am thinking "Oklahoma Sonics" would mean the states NBA team, much like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vikings and Twins.

This could be another marketing strategy.

The long time veterans of this board and the ones we were on in the past, have all advocated Oklahoma City. Why? Oklahoma City needs name recog ition.

[dcsooner]

It's amazing how guillible we have become. I want a team as much as anyone but to believe Seattle will not fund a new stadium is setting yourselves up for a big disappointment. These minor setbacks early in this process are not indicative of failure, Bennett has gotten alot further than previous owners in a very short period of time and he will get this stadium funded. OKC I believe will get an NBA franchise, however, I'm not kidding myself no matter what one or two natives post to this board.