In a strange convergence of sorts, perhaps the NBA schedule had history and poetic justice in mind for what might be the death march for the Seattle SuperSonics franchise.
As the final three weeks ticked down of the worst season in the 41-year history of the franchise (19-62 going into Wednesday’s merciful regular season finale at Golden State), there was plenty of sentiment and tradition on display. All that Sunday night’s 99-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks lacked was Elton John stopping by KeyArena on the way back from his concert at Washington State University to play “Funeral For a Friend” after the final buzzer.
A near sellout crowd watched what could have been the final NBA game ever in KeyArena, with plenty of people involved in the storied Sonics past on hand, although the key proponents of moving the team to Oklahoma City – owner Clay Bennett, NBA commissioner David Stern and the man who sold them down the river to Bennett, Howard Schultz – were nowhere to be found.
Even at 19, the Sonics one bright spot for the season, Kevin Durant, bemoaned the prospects, hopeful that perhaps winning the rookie of the year would be more than just the final honor for this franchise in Seattle. It would leave something for the history of the franchise and the city, something that has meant a lot to him as a rookie and a fan of the NBA growing up.
“I’d be upset about leaving Seattle, but we can’t doanything about it,” Durant said. “We’ve got to play regardless, so today, if they say we’re going to Oklahoma, I guess we’ve got to pack up and go. I always knew what the Sonics were about. Every team I’ve played for I know what happened before – that kind of paved the way for guys like me to come through. Seattle is a legendary city (in the NBA) and a great city to play in, and it would be tough to leave here. If I bring back rookie of the year, that would mean a lot for our team more than myself. To bring that back would be a ray of light for the Seattle SuperSonics."
A quartet of fans decked out in striped prison garb bearing the letter, “OKC, Bennett, Stern and $chultz” was making a lot of noise in one section. The biggest cheer until the Sonics closed out the game with a 10-0 run came when future Hall-of-Famer Gary Payton was recognized midway through the second quarter with a standing ovation.
And when the clock ticked down the final seconds of the game, the scoreboard flashed the face of legendary gunner Fred Brown seated courtside – he of the recent press conference recently presenting a pie-in-the-sky $1 billion complex around a basketball/hockey arena on Puget Sound without a site or money – which is the glaring problem from Stern’s perspective.
Over the last three weeks, the Sonics' wins over the Trail Blazers, Nuggets and the Mavericks have come loaded with incredulous Seattle supporters on the other side.
The Blazers are coached by the man dubbed “Mr. Sonic,” Nate McMillan, who spent the first 19 years of his 22-year NBA career as a player and coach of the Sonics. The success of the Sonics averaging nearly 60 wins during a six-year span in the 1990s was built around Payton, Shawn Kemp and coached by Nuggets coach George Karl. And on this particular Sunday, there stood coach Avery Johnson, who entered the NBA in 1988 as an undrafted free agent rookie signed by the Sonics. He hasn’t left the NBA since, playing 16 years and spending the past three-plus as a coach, becoming the fastest head coach in league history to win 150 games.
“This is really pretty emotional for me knowing that maybe if it had not been for Seattle maybe I wouldn’t be here doing this interview because I had a chance to enter the NBA here 20 years ago,” Johnson said. “And to see and hear all the things going on with the team about possibly moving doesn’t really sit well with me. They have been here for (41) years, obviously had a championship here. I would sure hope that one way or another, that an NBA team one way or another would always have a home here.”
Ironically, because Bennett has so stripped the team of Sonics lore, it has been the opponents better suited to be involved in the history. Karl wore his beloved hand-painted “Space Needle” tie while his Nuggets lost last week in overtime. McMillan went off on a tangent discussing all the reasons why the Sonics shouldn’t leave, while lamenting the business aspect of the game.
“It's just hard to believe that you just drop a franchise and move it,” McMillan said. “And (especially) one that's had as much success as Seattle has had. Since I've been involved in the NBA, and even when I started watching basketball as a young person, the SuperSonics were part of the NBA. So all my life they've been a part of the league. And now, all of a sudden, talking about this organization moving? It's still hard for me to believe that it's going to happen, even though it really sounds like it.”
He knows this is all about money and power. So does Payton, who unofficially retired after last season with the Miami Heat. He came to the game Sunday to show support, and said he was willing to share his financial resources and contacts should somebody ask.
“I can’t even imagine myself if they wanted to retire my jersey for me to even try to go to Oklahoma City,” said Payton, franchise’s all-time leader in points, assists and steals in his 12-plus seasons in Seattle. “That ain’t where I played basketball at. That ain’t where I made my name at. I made my name here. I had great fan support to become the kind of basketball player I was. I can’t imagine that and I’m not really thinking about that. After 41 years, it’s told me a lot. We’ve got to think about coming up with a solution to keep the team here and I’m down for whatever to help make that happen.”
On and on they went Sunday night. Former Sonics player and coach Paul Westphal, shaking his head in disbelief before the game … “What a great city Seattle is. I can’t imagine the NBA without Seattle … it is ridiculous. I can understand any owner has to maximize his profit potential in order to compete I’m sure there is a legitimate argument. But as far as the aesthetics of KeyArena for a basketball game, it’s a great place and the basketball fans here are unbelievable. It just seems that a city of this caliber with the financial possibilities there are that something should be worked out.”
Mavs assistant coaches Brad Davis and Mario Elie remember playing basketball here for other teams, so much of it because the fans and the building were always so raucous. “I vividly remember the wars coming in here in the playoffs with both the Rockets and Warriors. All I can remember is when Shawn Kemp dunked – you heard thunder for the “Reign Man” in KeyArena. It isn’t like there hasn’t been great support for this team all the years I’ve been in the NBA. It’s just sad.”
But the man who may have some say in the matter before it’s all over is Mark Cuban, the always vocal owner of the Mavericks who went on record Sunday saying he will vote against the move when the NBA Board of Governors convene at the end of this coming week. He talked about how the NBA often does things just to be doing them, chastising the obviously mistaken move of the Grizzlies from Vancouver to Memphis as a perfect example while allowing for the simple fact that since it is Bennett’s team, he has the right to try. He also knows the impact having a man like Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who made a pitch to help renovate KeyArena and buy the team from Bennett, would have on the NBA Board of Governors
“I’ll do what I can to help keep it here… it’s not over until it’s over, so we’ll see,” Cuban said. “I just finally saw some numbers and I’ll vote against it for sure. I just think it’s about Seattle vs. Oklahoma for the NBA, and I don’t think there’s any question after seeing the numbers that it’s Seattle. The only certainty that I have is (the team should be) in Seattle. Would I like to see Steve Ballmer involved in the NBA? Absolutely, positively … he’s crazier than I am, and smarter than I am and he’s got more money than I do and those are all great things for the NBA.
“There’s an equity value of (41) years from a team that you can’t quantify when you discuss a move that has real economic value. When we look at relocation - as best as I can tell - we ask, ‘Is (Oklahoma City) capable as opposed to the best choice?’ I’m standing up and saying I don’t think it’s the best choice. I’m saddened. I’m not perplexed because I’ve been in the NBA eight years now and … welcome to the NBA. That’s why I get in so much trouble because we just do things just to do them sometimes. To me my job as an NBA partner and a member of the Board of Governors is to give feedback on what I think is the best for the NBA. To me what’s best for the NBA looking from every variable is to keep the team in Seattle.”
Awesome coverage Mike.
I heard you basically call this whole thing on Lakers Zone with Matt Smith last week.
I know you worked the Sonics beat for quite some time (and live up there, I believe?), so there's got to be some emotional attachment for yourself.
It's a shady situation, but tremendous coverage nonetheless.
1. What is Seattle's attendance record? Where do they sit in the NBA's standings for attendance?
2. Forbes.com values the NBA team's 1-30 every year. They have the Sonics valued at 28th this season: Seattle Supersonics. Is that info correct?
I'm torn on this subject. I keep on hearing that the only issue is the fact that the arena needs improved. Yet, the team isn't making money. Would arena improvements that included luxury seating make that big of a difference in the Sonics bottom line?
Aren't sponsorships dependent upon wins as much as arena sophistication?
If the city wants the team to remain in Seattle, why won't they approve taxpayer money to approve the remodeling efforts?
I feel bad for basketball fans in Seattle and players like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp who poured their blood, sweat, and tears into that organization but at the same time, I think every owner (no matter how backhanded they may be) should be in a position to make a profit.
I hope this case gets to court so the world can see what has gone on in the backroom, and I hope Steve Ballmer or somebody with money keeps the Sonics in Seattle. OKC should be commended for the job they did hosting the Hornets, but they shouldn't be getting a team at Seattle's expense, a great city and a great basketball town. Now let's get the Grizzlies back to Vancouver!
I was at last nights game. I truly think Bennet and company has sucked most of the joy out of the games. I've voiced my opinion, joined S.O.S. But from the beginning, even without the e-mail as proof, I knew Bennet was here to steal the team.
How is a $120 million remodeling project in OKC is fine, but a $500 million dollar facility is required here? Bennet is playing the taxpayers. The Key is a great Venue. A small remodel of the Key and a bigger remodel of Seattle Center (updated modern shops and food establishments) would be plenty. They are already talking about remodeling Seattle Center.
The Key is not a terrible venue, and is great for the average fan. The real problem is no support from current ownership, and the need to put a winning product on the floor.
BTW, Paul Allen already owns a basketball team, and can't buy the Sonics. He actually wanted to buy the Sonics, but they weren't for sale at the time, so he bought the trailblazers.
Last edited by Kraziken on April 14th at 10:13 AM.
How can the arena already need major improvements? Key Arena is only 12 years old, has it fallen into such disrepair this quickly? The team will be just as bad if it is in OK City, and what's to say they will be any more succesful at the gate.
I lived in Seattle for 16 years and every time there was an issue for new stadiums and such it was a battle. I was fortunate enough to see both the baseball and football stadiums completed before moving away.
I don't know why the people in the Seattle area will support the teams but when it comes to new facilities for them they choke on it. Key Areana was at one time a great place to see games but it is old and antiquitated for todays basketball games and also is to small for the crowds needed to support a team.
As for that low down coward of an ownership group and that #### shultz, what a bunch of losers. They knew that they were not going to keep the Sonics in Seattle from day one! They lied, connived and did everything they could to make sure that the Sonics were moved to God forsaken Oklahoma of all damn places.
Because of poor judgment on shultzes (lower case on purpose) part the liars that are the Sonics new ownership the outstanding fans of Seattle basketball are going to be robbed.
1. Seattle's attendance is 28th, only above Memphis and Indiana. Seattle's attendance has been low-average in the last 8 years, seeing a significant drop since Howard Shultz revealed what a schmuck he is and since Clay Bennet bought the team. If your question is to imply that teams should move based on attendance then move Indiana to Oklahoma, see what happens.
2.The value of the team is based on players, venue and attendance. Considering that Clay Bennet liquidated the team last offseason I am surprised that they are not 30th, which they will be when they end up in Oklahoma.
The City of Seattle is already overtaxed, much due to Safeco field and Qwest field but also in-part due to City Bureaucracy. Seattle is already on of the highest taxed city's in the US.
You state that every owner should be in a position to make a profit, but if every owner wants to make a profit they have to put a good product on the market before they can reasonably expect taxpayers to foot the bill for their product. The city of Seattle stands to earn some money on the lease of a new arena if the taxpayers pay for it, however the amount of that lease is completely disproportionate to how much money the owner is liable to earn. So why should the taxpayers foot most of the bill? The funding of the arena should be proportionate to how much money each contributing party stands to earn.
i heard they tried to get Shawn Kemp there for the final game but he couldnt fit through the double doors.... plus he had five of his childrens birthday parties to attend... oh who am i kidding he didnt go to their partys.
I was born in Seattle(now live in Alaska) My dad brought me to my first game the first year and we were there to see greats like Buse,Snyder,Brown,Wilkins,Haywood,R ussell,Slick,Sikma,Silas,D.J.& Gus,Payton & Kemp,The X man,I just want it to go on & on! I was there the back to back series w/the great bullets teams,Winning the championship in "79" attending the victory parade when I was 15 yrs old getting all the "79" teams autographs was a big thrill that I'll never forget & that I'm proud to share w/my children who are now big fans of Durant,Green,Collinson etc. It just breaks my heart to think that it maybe? all over.May the B-ball gods keep this storied franchise in the great city of Seattle! I've made good friend from Wash.Ore.Idaho,Cali.& Yes flying down for games from Alaska, I'll miss them & god bless them all!Thank you for supporting Our Great Pacific Northwests Team "THE SEATTLE SUPERSONICS" The "Fat-Lady" HAS NOT SUNG!S.O.S.Loyol SONIC FAN!
Key Arena was essentially torn down to a skeleton 12 years ago and rebuilt, is there a need to split hairs in saying it is not 12 years old?
Seattle has a hard time building stadiums because the bureaucrats already milk the city dry, thank god I live outside the city. That and these owners have typically given Seattle little time before they make their ultimatum.
The whole move was a setup, Shultz did not give enough time to approve a new stadium before he sold to a buying group which is/was:
a)Not secretive about moving the team to OKC.
b)openly in bed with that lame-duck, sniveling, little schmuck, Howard Stern who has been completely lost since Jordan left the league as a player.
We have fallen victim to a good old boy con man and a governer who not only lost 2 of 3 ellections and still won but has no clue what the Sonics mean to Seattle.
Hey Schultz, There are alot more places to get a good mocha than Starbucks! Go Seahawks!
Last edited by Traumatizer on April 14th at 11:17 AM.
I'm not implying anything. I just keep hearing about the 'loyal fan base' in Seattle and I guess I'm surprised to find out that the Sonics are 28th in attendance.
I agree that Bennett should put a quality product on the floor if he intends to make money but there are plenty of bottom feeding teams that are worth more than the Sonics and have better attendance records. So there's more to that than meets the eye.
I'm not in favor of the Sonics moving to Oklahoma City, I'm just trying to learn as much about the situation as possible.
Am I the only one that noticed the guy in the picture above didn't spell thief correctly? It's never easy on a team or its fans to move. Whats stupid is look at the Charlotte Hornets, they had no attendance and nobody seemed to care about the team in Charlotte. Then they move to New Orleans and they give a expansion team to Charlotte, how ignorant can the NBA be?
The reason why the taxpayer is not approving the money for remodeling key arena because their still paying off the debts of the Kingdome. Also their still paying off Safeco field that was built several years ago. But I hope Clay Bennett sells the Sonics to somebody who cares about the team then what he does. Apparently Bennett does not give a bleep. I hope Bill Gates can buy this team or Paul Allen. Those two microsoft guys have the $$$.
Hey bpd1979,
There is 2 different word of theif and thief. Their almost spelled the same but the definitions is a little bit different. SO the guy holding up the poster did use the word correctly.
Paul Allen does have the money to buy the Sonics, but he shouldn't do that because it would cause a conflict of interest with the other team that he owns, the Portland Trailblazers. He couldn't root for the same team if he owned both of them because his loyalties would be divided. This whole situation in Seattle is messed up.
Oklahoma is not a "God forsaken place" It is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Yes, I have lived in a lot of different places, attended basketball d=gamses in some of the greatest venues, (Boston, LA, Salt Lake, and Milwaukee) You can not blame Oklahomans for what Bennet is doing.
Yes we would love a professional basketball team, we supported New Orleans Hornets while they played here, and would welcome them back at any time, but we as a State are not to blame for the way bennet is going about bringing a team hee.
If being an NBA owner is all about making a profit I think a smart person would'nt invest their money in the NBA. The league seems to be a losing proposition imo. Arenas and lease agreements maybe what owners use as an excuse to obtain the almighty dollar, but in reality profits are earned through hard work, securing fan base and consistency. The owners of the Sonics will eventually learn that the deck wont always be stacked in their favor.
This is beyond pathetic. Let me start by saying that I am no friend of Clay Bennett, but I can't say I am surprised by his actions. He was instrumental in bringing the Hornets to OKC while New Orleans was being, um, rebuilt. He has been a tireless champion for improvement projects and business initiatives for Oklahoma City, and anyone who thought that he wasn't planning on moving the team to OKC isn't very bright (or didn't do their homework). Villify the guy all you want, but all he's done is bring NBA ball to his hometown, and was willing to put up the money to do it. If someone who was pro-Seattle had stepped in before Bennett bought the team, then the only remaining discussion was why the city/state wouldn't put up a decent arena for the team. They didn't, and Bennett wasn't interested in having his team play in the worst arena in the NBA, so if you want to be angry about this, blame the city and state for being penny wise and pound foolish. Blame Schultz for selling the team (and/or for being a general ####).
OKC is bigger than several of the cities that have an NBA franchise, and is more than capable of supporting one. I've actually spent time there, and it's far from the God forsaken place you assume it is.
i would like to be the first Oklahoman to tell all of the fans in Seattle and greater Seattle area that im sorry your losing your team due to malicious actions by Mr Bennett and David Stern (not howard as some #### wrote before), and also to welcome the Sonics to our beautiful state.
Hopefully Seattle will get another team in five or six years after the aftertaste of this debacle of a decade that it has been for the Supersonics.
i hope the NBA expands and allows you to keep the name, tradition and records associated with the franchise.
(we dont want them anyway, honestly we just want the players, coaches and team)
Hoffman, et al: The Sonics are 28th in attendance and the devaluation of the team has continued since David Stern hooked up Howard Schultz to the buy the team and now brokering Schultz and Bennett to move the team to OKC. The team has been stripped of talent, is at the bottom when it comes to salary and with a record-low 19 wins, that's four less than they had in 1967, their first year in the league. With Sam Presti as GM and P.J. Carlesimo as coach, they are the Spurs D-League team.
The franchise has been ruined in Seattle, and Stern has allowed it to happen with his cronies.
I don't blame Bennett in the big picture. Sure, he was a little disengenuous, but he was only going by Stern's blueprint to get the team to OKC - ask for the Taj Mahal and if you get it in Seattle, you'll get your money back and we'll get you another team for Oklahoma. The only problem was they couldn't keep their mouths shot (or e-mails from flying).
They just needed a new lease and a renovation of the building. These have been fabulous fans for 41 years despite what the league and ownership have done to it. I was a beatwriter for almost 10 years during the George Karl, Bernie Bickerstaff years - no city better supported a team.
The problem is Stern made it personal when the state rejected he and Schultz two years ago. Yes, it's an awful lease, but that could have been worked out. Believe, me this is heinous to do to this market.
Here is what I don't get...Bennett has done absolutely all he could to kill interest in Seattle and yet they still have more attendance than a city like Indianapolis??
BTW, OKC will be the smallest market in the NBA...
There is a special place in hell for snakes like Bennett. This situation is beyond sad, it's criminal in my mind. Even in light of the emails coming out showing these clowns wanted to move the team when they were supposed to be trying to keep them in Seattle, Stern still thinks Bennett made a good faith effort? Are you kidding me? Stern is either an #### or just as f***ed up morally as Bennett is. OKC should also get some morals and refuse to take a team that was stolen from another city; a city that trully loves them. Get an expansion team or whatever. It's time the people of OKC show they have some form of class and will do what's right, which is to demand their OWN team. Stern and Bennett are class A SKANKS. If the NBA approves this move then it is a shameless organization. SAVE OUR SONICS!!!
It's not Howard Stern, its David Stern and the correct and only spelling is T-H-I-E-F. Now, onto another inaccuracy: stadium funding.
Both Safeco and Qwest Fields have shown that a balance can be achieved when it comes to funding a major capital investment. Both stadiums are on the correct side of the ledger in terms of revenue streams. Neither are proving to be the revenue drain erroneously predicted by the local knucklehead politicians. And yes, tax dollars where used: taxes gained from hotel and car rental services, the things visitors get to pay.
12 years ago there was a window of opportunity to expand Key Arena so that it could adequately house two major tennants: the NHL and the NBA. At the same time the Seattle Center could have been rehabed and the South end of Lake Union could have been turned into a tourist destination. Unfortunately the short-sighted members of local government never really thought that through and so here we are today with an arena that is about to lose its only remaining tennant while the surrounding area continues to deteriorate. This part of the country is crazed. People here bemoan the cost of gas and wail about the traffic yet for years have opposed mass transit initiatives. People around here complain that good employment is hard to find yet turn their backs on funding education, a behavior not lost on businesses. (And don't point to Microsoft and try to counterpoint my last: have you seen the latest demographic for that little ol'software company? They ain't coming from Ballard or the Renton school districts. Can you say "outsourced"?
diehard18indy, Paul Allen already owns my favorite team, the Portland Trailblazers. I've lived here in the Puget Sound for almost ten years since my work took me up here from Oregon. I've seen the innitiatives for the Seahawks, and the Mariners stadiums, and I really am at a loss to understand why the State government doesn't step in for Seattle's original sports franchise. I do know that it will be a terrible loss for fans like me that relish our I-5 rivalry, not being able to see their favorite NBA teams come to Seattle to play the Sonics anymore! Absolutely tragic!! Shame on you Commissioner Stern!!! :(
If a variant spelling of Theif exists it would be defined something like below with Bennetts picture next to it...
A dislesxic stealer purhson thad dunt spel too gud.
I have been an avid fan of the Sonics since I was a little kid and they played against the Washington Bullets in the finals two years in a row and became champs in 1979. I struggled with watching them in the Kingdom, but the fans were there. The Key at the time was a great place to watch a game and the fans were there as well. To see them fade away over the last 7-8 years quite frankly sucks. I am torn apart with the developments since the sale to Bennett and would love to find a way to keep them here.
Stern is the real villian here. His tenure has gone far too long. Time for him to go,he's doing more for international relations than whats most important,The Loyal Fans Here in the states,holding cities for ransom & bargaining with snakes is not sound judgement or good business! Give OKC an expansion team to build for there own.Don't rob the great city of seattle who have shown to support the sonics for generations,good times & bad,but will not support snakes! The Sonics belong in Seattle!Stern belongs in a pasture!
I guess I don't really understand the motives of moving the team. If Bennett says its purely a fiscal move, again that makes no sense. He has stipped the Sonics to pretty much a college basketball team, therefore a bad record, therefore low attendance. It was all a plan in motion before most could even recognize it. So what if he moves the team to OKC, does he just expect that money will come pouring in? What realistically will happen is that the Sonics will do just as bad as they have been doing in Seattle and in turn waste/lose money in Oklahoma. Shame on David Stern, he has said before that if the league leaves Seattle, he doesn't ever see it coming back. Back to the financial motives! Seattle is the nation's 13th biggest media market while Oklahoma City is the nation's 43rd! How does that in any sense of the word make ANY financial sense?! Oh I forgot, upon moving the Sonics to OKC, the metropolitan area will probably bring in another 2 million people. The NBA has gotten worse and worse and Cuban is right, they are just making moves to make moves. Ridiculous.
soonergrad99,
my appologies for Sonic fans. You are right, no one in Oklahoma should be blamed for the underhandedness of Clay Bennett except Clay Bennett. And Howard Scmuck, of course.
If the situation were reversed, we Seattle fans would be excited about getting Oklahomas' team. Sonic die hard fans are the same as any die hard fan of any team. Don't take the lashing out personally....and don't get too excited about our team yet...they're still in Seattle. The wagons haven't been packed yet!
First I would like to THANK MARK CUBAN. He has studied this in detail and he is correct in all that he states. I am from Seattle and I would like all to know here is how we got to this situation. First off the Sonics asked for and we renovated Key Arena to the tune of 100 million dollars 13 years ago and in turn the Sonics signed a lease that runs through 2010. Then Howard Shultz (owner of Starbucks) bought the team and he was a very bad owner from the since he did not know basketball and his decisions really hurt the Sonics performance. Then he started getting frustrated because thry were not good anymore and this hurt the bottom line a little bit. He did a very poor job of public relations and said I want a 300 million dollar renovation or a new arena and I want a decision by next month. Well, Seattle's stance was hold on a minute we just did a 100 million dollar stadium and evenb though you claim you are losing money the value of the team has gone up so much you are actually making 20 million every year. So the politicians did the correct thing and said we are not ready to build you an arena with you only willing to kick in 13 million. They have always been willing to listen and of course they will hlep the Sonics but Howard Schultz was so beligerant in his demands that the politicians had to say no, but they did say they would work with him but they could not meet those demands. Then he sold the Team to Clay Bennent and made millions and Clay Bennett and David Stern have colluded from the beginning to lie and cheat their way to steal the Sonics. It appears th
My personal opinion is that it is the job and responsibility for a President/Commissioner of a sport to exhaust every means possible to keep a team in a city and make it work. This is especially true in cases where those teams have rich histories, a good market, and strong fans. This is what makes this especially sad, because rather than look for any way to save the team, Stern is looking for any reason to remove the team.
If you compare him to Gary Bettmen from the NHL, who most who follow hockey to any extent would agree is just as big of a snake as Stern, he finds a way to sink even lower. About a year ago, Jim Balsille of RIM (the people who make the Blackberry) tried to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins and later the Nashville Predators. In the case of Pittsburgh, ownership pulled out of the deal when they realized he wanted nothing more than to move the team. In Nashville, however, he made the purchase, but it was rejected by the NHL when they discovered he was making plans to move the team to Ontario, where he lives and runs his company (sound like anyone else?). I see the situation as being the exact same thing with one major difference. Though Nashville was struggling, Bettmen stepped in to ensure a coniving owner could not buy the team only to move it a year or two later. Similarily in Pittsburgh, which had a rich hockey history not unlike Seattles's rich Basketball history, the NHL tried every option it could to get it to work, eventhough Pittsburgh had the oldest arena in the NHL and the local government was not being cooperative in building a new arena (ag
.....eventhough Pittsburgh had the oldest arena in the NHL and the local government was not being cooperative in building a new arena (again sound familiar). Eventually a deal was made and the team was saved and already has begun to bring back fans and is winning.
The main difference here is that while Gary Bettman is a ####, he at the very least has shown some respect to the fans of his sport, and recognizes that the most important thing is to try to make a city work and help support and strenghten it, not look for the quick fix of moving it.
I have a feeling that much like what has happened with the Grizzlies, Oklahoma will only be successful in the short-term. When the team continues to be weak, or even rebuilds and falls again (every teams success is cyclical) they will likely not be able to find enough fans in such a small market to support a struggling team, and the new question for Stern will be where to move to next.
He can't control his officials (betting scandals & obviously thrown playoff games.)
He can't control team executives (I. Thomas in New York-need I say more?)
Wolves like Bennett running the henhouse.
And more player problems around the league (fights, gunbattles, strip clubs, etc.) all while the quality of play continues it's downward trajectory to oblivion.
Something tells me we're going to win this lease trial and come up with a new venue. On our own terms. With local ownership (who by the way should have the last say on profitability, not Stern!)
OMG!! It is true? This must be the hottest topic on the forum page of the tall dating site ~Tallkisss.com, where they have ever been and chatted for a long time.
I no longer care. Clayboy and the #### Mafia can GTFO and take their toy with them. Who wants to bet that they'll be threatening to move the team to Las Vegas, or maybe Europe within ten years?
Besides, the Sounders (to borrow a line from an old TV show) are movin' on up!
I for one feel for the fans. As a sports fan who has been through this I understand how they feel. But I am torn.....how many fans attended the games when the Sonics were losing? See that is part of the problem. A true fan would support their team whether they win or lose. When a team loses the support and funds from fans, that hurts the financial pockets of the owners. As a owner, how do you rebuild w/o the support of fans and funds, so what happens, the team continues to lose. That's what happened here. If you are a loyal fan, then be there through the lean years. Everybody loves a winner,however, true loyalty comes when you stand behind your team when they are losing. I feel bad for the fans, however I would like to know how much support they gave the Sonics during the lean years.
I for one feel for the fans. As a sports fan who has been through this I understand how they feel.some mention a news on a site, s u g a r m o m m a m at c h. c o m . it caters to successful and rich women seeking handsome and charming men. there are a lot of charming men joining in the site to find their real love.
