The Washington State Legislature appears today to have dealt the death knell to the tenure of the Seattle Supersonics (NBA) and Seattle Storm (WNBA) in the Emerald City.

Owner Clay Bennett, Board Member (and Hall of Famer) Lenny Wilkens, and other members of the ownership/management team received the news personally from legislators this afternoon.  They were told that no vote for taxpayer funding of the proposed new arena complex in Renton would be taken this year, and there would not be any consideration during the 2008 session either.

That being the case, it is likely that the team will petition the NBA by early next year to be able to move both franchises to the Oklahoma City area, where a majority of the new ownership group reside.

This is not to say that this will be an easy process for them, because the team has a binding lease with the city of Seattle for tenancy in the Key Arena through 2010, and they are planning to exit town after the 2007-2008 season.  The city does not plan to let them leave without a fight and quite a bit of monetary damages to cover the losses that will result from their flight: the fate of Key Arena and the whole of Seattle Center are likely to be in doubt, the jobs of seasonal workers who depended on this income, taxes and other revenues generated by tickets, parking and concessions, to mention just a few.

It should be remembered that these are the only two teams who have managed to bring league championships home to their Seattle fans: the Sonics in 1979, and the Storm in 2004.  One might imagine that this will demoralize already depressed Seattle sports fans even more than they already are, to whit:  the Seahawks window of opportunity for a Super Bowl repeat and win is narrowing by the day, and the Mariners don't look ready for prime time/the World Series just now, either.

I, personally, believe that these wealthy gentlemen could manage to arrange for majority private funding for their wonderful new arena--Paul Allen managed it for QWest Field (he and his holding companies own 51% of that facility)--but they have not offered to do so, any more than their predecessors, including Starbucks magnate Howard Schultz.  If, as they profess, they really want to keep the team in Western Washington, rather than take them to OKC to replace the departing Hornets, why don't they do this?  The Legislature might be a bit more willing to speak with, and assist them with some funding (the state stadium authority is, after all, the owner of the other 49% of the Q), if they did so.

Adieu Ray, Lauren, Sue, and the rest of you.  Hope you enjoy it in OKC.....