Will it go on? Yes, I'm sure it will. Will everyone be happy with the status quo after the new owners pack the teams up and take them to Oklahoma City? No, I'm sure they won't--there are too many people who are already roundly criticizing Howard Schultz, Woody, and their friends for making the sale, even if--in their heart of hearts--they (like me) knew that it was bound to happen.
Right now the new owners say that they plan on keeping the teams in Seattle. That is, however, if--and only if--the city caves in on a deall for a NEW arena (read no renovations to the Key Arena) within the next twelve months, starting as soon as the sale closes in October 2006.
Commissioner Stern was firmly on record during the 2005-2006 season that he was not at all happy with the city of Seattle for disrespecting the current ownership group and not providing them with the same new facilities that had been provided for the Mariners and the Seahawks. What he failed to mention, of course, is that the Safe was built over the objections of the voters, and Paul Allen paid almost a full 50% of the cost of the Q himself and with privately raised monies.
Howard Schultz is the founder and Chairman of Starbuck's coffee. He, and the rest of the owners could afford to put up a greater portion of the renovation or construction costs than they offered to. When the city declined to foot the bill for the majority of the $220 million, the ownership group started looking for other venues or buyers for the teams.
The teams were sold for a reported $350MM, which is $150MM more than they were bought for.
One wonders if the current ownership group didn't sort of "make out like bandits" with a nearly 200% return on their investment.
The Sonics and the Storm are the only two teams in Seattle history to have actually won their league championships. Yes, the Hawks were close last year, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The Mariners have made it as far as the ALCS, but they don't look to repeat even that feat any time soon (though the Hawks could make it back to the NFC championships and/or the SB this year, barring any of the relevant curses kicking in too strongly).
Let us not forget the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds, too. What will happen to them when the Sonics leave, since they share the Key with them. This is a minor league hockey team, folks, they can't afford a huge lease on that arena. Will we lose hockey, too?
Yes, I am an angry woman right now, and I'm sure that it shows. I want to believe that something will happen to keep the teams in Seattle, but that's just my heart. My head knows that there is a brand new arena waiting in OKC, and a city that is desperate for a pro sports team or two to call it home. And my head also knows that, though we might like to think that the 'Blazers might move in and take over the Sonics place, that might happen only if Paul Allen is still the owner when the Sonics leave (and they are, likewise, for sale or rent just now), and only if the Commish will let another NBA team come here, something he has indicated he would likely not do.
It's a terrible situation and no better than extortion. Stern ought to be getting more grief in the press about this than he has. I guess because they got away with it in so many places he believes it is some sort of right that only NBA owners possess. I agree. Grrrrrrr!
Guys: No matter how you look at it, Seattle gets the short end of this stick. OKC gets what they want (and I guess they deserve a team other than OU and OSU in the area). The whole Stern thing steams me. You can't tell me that every other NBA city in the country (or in Canada, either) has been willing to cave in and spend taxpayer money without permission to do what he wants. I don't believe it for a minute. Mean, Seattle IS terrific. You will love it here, but you might not want to leave, depending on when you come up. I feel our pain, too, but you're right, not much I or anyone else can do about it.
Seattle Trailblazers just doesn't have a ring to it.
Owners should have to live like the rest of us. If you want a new home, you save for many years...maintain your current home in the meantime...then buy a new place. Not hold a city hostage...only to place the burden on taxpayers.
I think the whole business is just sad. The fans make the sport what it is...I think they deserve some loyalty in return.
I hope everything goes well with that, sleepless. But like you said, it doesn't look good.
Shooter: Call me cynical, but I just don't see it working out at all. OKC has that new arena, and the Hornets will be back in NO later this year. And if the city is not going to spring for $200MM for renovations, they certainly are not going to spring for the $700MM the new owners are going to ask for the new arena they are going to demand. They're outta here, as the ump says.
I am a 50 something health care professional transplanted to Seattle from SoCal in 2001 (and, before you ask, no, I don't want to go back). My tastes in sports are pretty eclectic, but in order of preference, I guess they would be baseball, hockey, basketball, football--col lege and pro/men and women alike. Teams I "HATE": USC (I went to UCLA); University of Michigan (born and raised in Columbus OH to a large family of OSU alumni/alumna e), and--probably most of all--the d***ed Yankees. I have worked in a variety of capacities at the MLB, NBA and NFL venues here in Seattle and at UW (hey, what true sports fan could pass up the possibility of getting paid to do something you would have done anyway (and had to pay for it)?)
