Clay Bennett is a (insert comment here)
Posted on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 3:15 pm by Brian Robinson
Our prior ownership group should really be both embarrased and ashamed. I know that lots of them voted against the sale and lots of them didn’t see this coming, however when you made a mistake you should stand up and try to fix it. Not one of them has gone public and led a cry to do anything. Then you’ve got this guy who came in with the reputation for honesty and integrity and turned out to be flat out lying. It’s time to start casting stones at the people in our own community that have allowed this.
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=80883
McClendon said the team would probably make more money if it stayed in Seattle.
“But we didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here,” he said. “We know it’s a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it’s great for the community and if we could break even we’d be thrilled.”
August 12th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
That is a great quote from McClendon to help make the case to David Stern and everyone that Bennett and the Okies had no intent whatsoever to keep the team in Seattle. And while it pisses me off, I think it is the sort of honesty that will get this issue to its needed showdown sooner than later. And I think it gives SOS ammunition to gather signatures, and gives the mayor, governor and most importantly the NBA grounds to intervene and say Seattle isn’t getting a fair shake. Bennett, of course, is going to try to spin it and say McClendon mispoke, but what it does is expose his claims about his “good faith efforts” to keep the team in Seattle for the obvious BS that they are. Now that that is irrefutable, hopefully we can move to the next step in this fight.
August 12th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
We need to get that article linked on Hoopshype and the like. It needs to be a national story. The national media loves to bash corporate big wigs so they should jump on board.
August 12th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Nice find. It’s a great quote to prove to everyone Clay’s true intentions are to steal our team.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Brian-
Have you sent this link to the major Seattle newspapers? They need to see and report on this.
Wow! I don’t know what to do with that. My primary hope on a deal in Seattle getting done was based on Seattle as a better market. Well this tells me that profitability won’t matter too much unless WA gives him a complete sweetheart deal which is not going to happen.
The challenge that I see is that this could discourage people with influence from working on a solution.
This is the first time I have felt down about the situation. I could see my NBA interest becoming fairly low after being an avid fan since ‘76.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
HUGE breaking news. This is like a smoking gun. Let’s not let the Bennet Group do a bush/rove spin on this and get away with it.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I used to be in favor of the ownership change, believing these guys were sincere when talking about keeping the team here in Seattle. I cant stand these guys now. I agree we need to make this a national story and show how how this ownership really doesnt care about keeping the team here. I just hope David Stern will look closely at the matter and with a Muckleshoot proposal soon and tell Bennett the team is to stay in region. 24 miles from Seattle? Sure as hell a lot better than OKC if you ask me.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
WOW! I knew the rednecks were dumb, but this is crazy! Even if it is true, why would you admitt it publically? I’m both angry and laughing at the same time. I want the sonics to stay in seattle as much as anyone to see them play in their real home, but there’s a part of me that wants them to stay solely to see these guys cry themselves to sleep on their little redneck pillows.
Just wow!
-=cysco
August 12th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
The question at this point is who can enforce the “good faith” effort provision in the sale agreement, assuming that Clay is willing to wait until the lease with Key Arena expires in three years. If that person is Howard, then he can go a long way in redeeming his reputation among Sonic fans by challenging Clay on his breach of this provision in the agreement. Of course that would assume he’s not too busy reeling in the profits from Starbucks.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
This is an outrage. Hopefully KJR and the local papers pick up on this and run.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Honestly at this point I would love to start a campaign encouraging people to watch the games on TV at local Queen Anne businesses and boycott buying tickets. We need to bleed these guys.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
What’s Howie supposed to do, Alex? Buy back the team? Don’t think so. The “good faith” clause is and always was a bogus provision.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
as long is the right people hear about it soon, this will get things moving. the controversy would make it even easier to enforce the lease and even harder for bennett to sneak away. as long as the right people hear about it…
August 12th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I’m curious how Seattle political leaders will respond to these comments. We’re meeting with some people this week and I’ll get a read.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Hmmm…I was trying to post this up on the ESPN boards but I have problems with them so yeah. I would encourage others, if they are on any other message board, to post this up there. Maybe even like email some of the Seattle PI columnists? Heck, even email it to Stern if you have to.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Per the one year deadline and the lease it maybe worthwhile to look at the KJR interview last year with Howard Schultz.
Q: We understand that the new owners have a contractual commitment in the next 12 months not to move the team, and are bound by the lease until 2010. Is that right?
A: As part of the negotiation, I asked for something that was a deal breaker in negotiation. What I asked for was a side letter to our ownership group and to me…that said basically he would honor the four-year lease in terms of the 2010 terms, and use his best efforts over next 12 months …They have obligation and a desire…and what I understand him to say and write in the letter is that they will honor lease and work as hard as they can in the next 12 months to get something done.
The burden is on local and state officials.
I believe they are contractually bound to honor the lease. Unless the city and mayor’s office accepted a balloon payment to buy out the lease, but I couldn’t imagine that any politician who wants to get reelected would do that.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=webschultzinterview19&date=20060719&source=st
Don’t know how binding this is but do you think Clay gave it his best effort?
August 12th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Wow. We really need to get this word out. I’d be very surprised if Seattle news media didn’t jump on this story.
Seahawks channel 5 folks… gotta go.
Cheers & Happy Sunday,
-Speed
August 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Those Oklahoma F***ers!
Tomorrow or the next day when the shite hits the fan, he of course will say he was misquoted, but we all know that the truth has been thus all along.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Schultz from the MarkS link:
“Maybe it was my own ineptitude, that I was not persuasive enough that this was going to happen.”
Bingo!!!
Perhaps if he’d have let the general public know that he was about to sell to out of staters, there’d have been some more positive action on an arena movement. (a big maybe on that one though).
August 12th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I just emailed Washburn….
August 12th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I’ll never buy chew or an incest magazine again. We gotta get these hicks where it hurts: their pocketbooks!!!
Note-I don’t chew, and I don’t read.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Brian,
Thanks for the great investigative work. However, boycotting games isn’t going to solve the problem. In fact, it will help Clay & Co get the team to leave town. What needs to be done is the exact opposite. Sonic fans have to go to as many games as they can afford. Why you might ask? Why should we support the check books of these Okie bastards?
The answer has already been shown to us. All we have to do is look to the history of the Charlotte Hornets. There suffer form dwindling attendance and Shinn (who and moved to N.O. a few years earlier) made it publicly known he was looking to move the team if he didn’t get a new stadium. The fans just stopped coming, they had a stadium initiative vetoed by the mayor and eventually the Hornets left.
As you know, those of us that do not heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. For that, I say do not boycott the Sonics. I’m out of stater, so I can’t buy season seats, but I’m probably going to go to 4 games this season in an effort do my part to keep the team.
Now, if we want to get creative and protest is an effective way. Would be to get all the games sold out, but not buy any concessions, food, drinks, etc. This do two things: 1) it would show to the league and the city that the Sonics fans truly want the team to stay; 2) it would hit Clay & Co in the pocket book due to the lost revue.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Sam Says:
August 12th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I just emailed Washburn….
Damn Sam, you beat me to it! I emailed him too…
I agree we should NOT boycott the games. If anyone local is going to want to buy the team from Bennett & co, the revenues numbers will have to be good.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
That is a pretty big comment for McClendon to make. I am really interested in what Clay Bennett will have to say about the comments. This could be good news for loyal Sonics Fans!!
August 12th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I’ll retract my boycott the games comment in it’s entirety. I did say “almost there” and never would encourage people to actually do it. It does get frustrating however…
August 12th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Brian, no need to justify what you said, obviously you have been very passionite about this whole situation and sometimes you are allowed to get frustrated. I don’t think anyone will hold the boycott statement against you. We appreciate all the hard work you have put into this arena nightmare. I think that the mayor should have “Brian Robinson Day” in Seattle after this whole thing is resolved and the Sonics stay in Seattle!!
August 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
“The challenge that I see is that this could discourage people with influence from working on a solution.
This is the first time I have felt down about the situation. I could see my NBA interest becoming fairly low after being an avid fan since ‘76.”
malaman, things could possibly go in our direction, you know. Don’t forget what the article said. “McClendon said the team would probably make more money if it stayed in Seattle.” Well think about that. I agree that reading that piece made me and everyone here angry as heck. But let’s try and use this to our advantage. My gosh, they just admitted in print that a study conducted by themselves, the very people who want to move us, point out that a move to Oklahoma is not a good one financially! That’s got to turn some heads in our favor and get a lot of powerful people on the side to keep this team here. Don’t be so down.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Wow, the more I hear McClendon talk, the more he sounds like a tool.
Brian, I reckon rather than boycott, the idea would be to stand out the front of the arena on game nights, handing out SOS banners and things. Imagine every home-game Durant highlight having “Save Our Sonics” banners waving in the background!
August 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
MarkS Says:
August 12th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Per the one year deadline and the lease it maybe worthwhile to look at the KJR interview last year with Howard Schultz.
Q: We understand that the new owners have a contractual commitment in the next 12 months not to move the team, and are bound by the lease until 2010. Is that right?
A: As part of the negotiation, I asked for something that was a deal breaker in negotiation. What I asked for was a side letter to our ownership group and to me…that said basically he would honor the four-year lease in terms of the 2010 terms, and use his best efforts over next 12 months …They have obligation and a desire…and what I understand him to say and write in the letter is that they will honor lease and work as hard as they can in the next 12 months to get something done.
“Sabey, who was part of the Schultz ownership group, owns 55 acres at the south end of Boeing Field. Sources say he wants to use the site to build a new arena.”
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/123987.html
The letter wasn’t just for Howard, Howard wasn’t the only owner, and a former owner has a desire to own the team again and the land to make ann arena happen.
I suggest that you all contact Mr Sabey, Mr Nickels, and Mr Stern, and explore the idea of taking the team back based on the letter, the news story, and your desire to keep the team here.
You also might want to contact Eric D. Williams at the Tacoma News Tribune.
mailto:Eric.Williams@thenewstribune.com
August 12th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
What difference does it make now if Sabey wants or wanted to buy the team? Has the NBA ever forced an owner to sell to local ownership rather than moving the team?
August 12th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Brian,
You’ve been on the money so far.
I think national pub could help this story get out. Take the Sonics from Seattle? You’re crazy!
August 12th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
They certainly made a few veiled threats at George Shinn when he was still cheap and threatening to move. He had to wait a fair while to move the Hornets to NO, IIRC.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I guess I was right about this bunch from the start. I never trusted them.
I know from when we lost our Grizzlies that there is a relocating committee made up of three or four owners. They have to review any applications to relocate a franchise, and then report to the board of governors with a recommendation, I.E. the rest of the owners. A final vote comes from them, not David Stern. Of course he gives his own recomendations.
Articles like this, along with any data that shows that Seattle is a better market and will balance the bottom line better than Oklahoma, all give ammo to anyone to make a case that the team shouldn’t be moved. David Stern himself said that the Sonics have the worst lease in the league, but has never said it’s a bad market. If the city can show that after the current lease expires they will give a better one then I don’t see that the owners would take a short term viewpoint of three years and not look at the longterm outlook.
They don’t just allow a team to move because the new owner likes the scenery better. I’ve relayed this story before in here. Before the Grizzlies were sold to Michael Heisley, Russ Lawrie, who married into the Walton family(Walmart), had reached a deal with John MaCaw to buy the team. Lawrie held a press conference to say that he wanted to move the team to St. Louis simply because that’s where his family was from. David Stern stepped in to say that a team can’t do that and they had to prove that Vancouver was a bad market and had no chance of making a go of it. Lawrie was forced to back out of the deal, and Heisley rode in as the white knight to save the day. We know what happened next. He fudged the numbers to look like the Grizzlies were the worst business in the world. Only after they left did we find out Heisley lied about the number by somewhere inthe neighborhood of $10-$15mil.
My point is that some research needs to be done to find out who is on the relocation commitee now, e-mail them, and point out exactly what transpired in the Vancouver case and that until the Sonics ownership group can prove that the 40 year old Seattle NBA market is terrible and has no chance to succeed then no relocation can be allowed simply on personal preference.
So go to the games, support the team, and show that there is no sound reason to grant the Bennett group permission to leave.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
# Dick Tate Says:
August 12th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
“What difference does it make now if Sabey wants or wanted to buy the team? Has the NBA ever forced an owner to sell to local ownership rather than moving the team?”
He’s a former owner, the letter was for him as well. That’s what difference it makes.
If the side letter is enforcible, and Sabey was part of the former ownership group, and he’s expressed a desire to own the team again publicly then that might be a little different.
If the team can make more here (that BRI for the league) then let’s see if they look the other way.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Wow! What a tool, are you freakin kidding me? I’m so fired up right now, I don’t want to see any of these owners in our building, or our city. Let’s hope this gets the ball rolling to some momentum our way for a change.
I say No to boycotting games, and everyone attending games needs to show some Sonic pride, Seattle Sonic pride…let’s opt to wear everything that has our city on it, let’s wear road jerseys with SEATTLE stitched across the front, Durant t-shirt jerseys with Seattle on the front…this team belongs to Seattle!!
August 12th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
How the hell does david stern and the league allow this to happen?!?!
this ownership now is completely saying bluntly that they don’t give a cr*p about seattle, and they are willing to take a hit to their bottom line to bring NBA to their city, even if seattle has offers on the table to accomidate them.
What’s to stop someone from buying the Miami Heat and moving them to montana because some rich dude just wants an NBA team in his town?
This whole situation, if it unfolds with a team ending up in OKC, is an absolute total death nail in the coffin for the NBA. Billionaire owners completely spitting all over cities so they can buy a shiney new toy and bring it back to their own home town.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I said it early last year that Bennett wasn’t making a solid effort. Holding them to the lease is a nice start but Sonic fans need to get Stern’s attention and influence him and the rest of the owners to not allow Bennett to leave Seattle.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Brice Says:
August 12th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
“How the hell does david stern and the league allow this to happen?!?!
this ownership now is completely saying bluntly that they don’t give a cr*p about seattle, and they are willing to take a hit to their bottom line to bring NBA to their city, even if seattle has offers on the table to accomidate them.
What’s to stop someone from buying the Miami Heat and moving them to montana because some rich dude just wants an NBA team in his town?
This whole situation, if it unfolds with a team ending up in OKC, is an absolute total death nail in the coffin for the NBA. Billionaire owners completely spitting all over cities so they can buy a shiney new toy and bring it back to their own home town.”
Well said, Brice. We can only hope that Stern & committee sees these things similarly.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Jokelahomans?
August 12th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I’ve written e-mails to both Colin Cowherd and Dan Fitzpatrick of ESPN Radio with connections to the link with the story. Colin is a Seattle native, so I’m hoping he’ll pay attention to the story.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Is it safe to say that our owner is the most hated owner in the league? I can’t think of another current owner of ANY professional sports team that is more hated by his team’s town than Clay and Co.
Will he actually have the courage to attend a single home game this year? I can only imagine the chants of “Clay Bennett Sucks! Clay Bennett Sucks!”
Keep the pressure on!
-=cysco
August 12th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Here’s the link to ESPN radio if anyone else wants to e-mail Colin, Dan, or Mike & Mike:
http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/index
Any other ESPN radio junkies at this site? God, it sure would be great to take this to the national level and get some coverage. The problem is I think that most people in the nation did not trust Clay from the beginning.
August 12th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
The good news about the article is that McClendon was enough of a doofus enough to admit that Seattle is a better market than Oklahoma City ( “We know it’s more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City…” ). We’ve got to capitalize on that error.
———————————————-
Seahawks 24, San Diego 16—Final
August 12th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Washburn just updated his blog with this story
August 12th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
I sent an email to Paul Silvi, cc Mitch Levy and EricD. Williams.
That’s tv, radio, and newspaper. The link that Brian posted, the Levy/Schultz link transcription MarkS posted, and the link to the trib story last week, wrapped up and delivered.
August 12, 2007
Dear Mr Silvi at Northwest Sports Tonight
Dear Mr Silvi,
It appears that the new Sonics owners didn’t have any intention of keeping the Sonics in Seattle. This is according to one of the owners, Aubrey McClendon, quoted in Oklahoma City’s Journal Constitution, August 13, 2007. There was supposed to be an honest effort to make the situation work here in Seattle, as a condition of sale there was a “side letter” written to Howard Schultz and the other owners. And there apppears to be a former owner, David Sabey, that doesn’t appear to be getting serious consideration from the Oklahoma group. Is it possible that David Sabey has a contractual right to buy the Sonics back based on the quotes made by one of the new owners?
[the OKC owner's story in part, published on 8/13/2007]
McClendon said the team would probably make more money if it stayed in Seattle.
“But we didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here,” he said. “We know it’s a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it’s great for the community and if we could break even we’d be thrilled.”
ref:
Hard work, luck make billions
by Jerry Shottenkirk
The Journal Record August 13, 2007
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=80883
It isn’t a complete shock that the OK owners want the team there, but it seems kind of stupid to make this statement in an interview. My understanding from an interview that Howard Schultz had on KJR last year was that the Bennett/McClendon group provided a side letter that said they had to make a real effort to keep the team here.
[Mitch Levy, KJR interview, Seattle Times transcription]
Q: We understand that the new owners have a contractual commitment in the next 12 months not to move the team, and are bound by the lease until 2010. Is that right?
[Howard Schultz]
A: As part of the negotiation, I asked for something that was a deal breaker in negotiation. What I asked for was a side letter to our ownership group and to me that said basically he would honor the four-year lease in terms of the 2010 terms, and use his best efforts over next 12 months …They have obligation and a desire and what I understand him to say and write in the letter is that they will honor lease and work as hard as they can in the next 12 months to get something done.
ref:
Transcript of Schultz’ KJR-AM interview
By Seattle Times staff
Sports: Wednesday, July 19, 2006
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=webschultzinterview19&date=20060719&source=st
The “side letter” was provided to Schultz and the rest of that ownership group, that group included David Sabey according to the Tacoma News tribune.
[backround used in a story written by Eric D. Williams last week]
In May, Puget Sound area real estate developer David Sabey offered to purchase the team. He was initially rejected by Bennett’s group, according to three sources.
Sabey, who was part of the Schultz ownership group, owns 55 acres at the south end of Boeing Field. Sources say he wants to use the site to build a new arena.
ref:
$100 million from Sonics could start arena talks
ERIC D. WILLIAMS; The News Tribune
Published: August 2nd, 2007 01:00 AM
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/123987.html
Maybe the side letter isn’t binding, or, maybe, the OKC owners are stupid. Either way, I think there a little bit of a story in here somewhere.
Thanks to Brian Robinson and the folks at Sonicscentral.com for digging, and my fuzzy memory of David Sabey’s involvement, for prompting my letter to you.
Have a great day,
Supersonicsfan, Mr Baker
Seattle
http://theseattlesupersonics.blogspot.com/
cc Mitch Levy at KJR and Eric D. Williams at the Tacoma News Tribune.
Labels: Arena
posted by Supersonicsfan at 8:11 PM
August 12th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
This is a major quote & story because it adds to the credibility of the position that Caly is indeed a liar & he has NOT made a “Good Faith” effort at all to get an arena built and keep the Sonics in Seattle.
Why is this important?
Because ultimately this likely will become a league issue where D.Stern & NBA owners will be asked by Clay B. for approval of a move of Sonics to OKC. It could be our best hope of Sonics staying is if some coalition of local leaders can put the pressure back onto Clay & say:
“Here is a reasonable deal to build a new arena in Seattle” - and if he takes it great - but if he says it is NOT good enough for him & there is a local buyer who steps up & says - I’ll buy the Sonics & take the deal - the League night not approve a move for 3 reasons:
1. Image -PR > Doesn’t look good to move an established franchise in this type of way & it could hurt their future efforts to partner with cities to get public money for new arena. Other cities would question the NBA’s potential future loyalty to them. The whole thing would stink.
2. NBA would benefit from keeping a team in the larger & more affluent market & geographically keep a strong presence in the Pacific Northweat affluent market of Seattle.
3. Legal Liability (Could be most imporatn reason & this is where the quote today is a potential major hit to Bennett). If NBA approved a move under these circumstances they are vulnerable to major lawsuits - Stern constantly talks about teams being “Public Trusts” etc. -
I have stated for a long time…. Every time Caly B. says he wants to keep the Sonics in seattle he is lying through his teeth. All his ACTIONS indicate IMO that he wants to move the team. Somne suggest he is simply & wisley trying to create a crisis to get political leaders in our region to get off the dime & get an arena deal going - I don’t buy that at all & this quote todfay along with Calys track history point to the reality of his desire to just move the Sonics to HIS HOMETOWN.
Clay wants to move his team - local leaders need to stop him & NBA/Stern will need to fall on Sonics side for them to stay.
Brian R. - Thanks for your work > your boycott idea was way off but an understandable expression of frustration. The more fans that get into the KEY this year the better.
August 12th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
What a strange gift, stupid rich people with big mouths could keep the Sonics here.
August 12, 2007
Dear Mr Silvi at Northwest Sports Tonight
http://theseattlesupersonics.blogspot.com/2007/08/northwest-sports-tonight.html
August 12th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I said above…
“Here is a reasonable deal to build a new arena in Seattle” - and if he takes it great
Mistake - it would be great to have Sonics stay but not great to have Clay as owner - but the priority is to get them to stay > But I will never trust Clay
So this previous comment by me above was confusing & not really on track - just partly.
August 12th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Besides the ESPN radio link above, I’d recommend that we e-mail the NBA league office. If you go to http://www.nba.com and scroll to the bottom, I believe it says “Contact Us” where you can register for free and send the league e-mails. I’m not sure if these would really get to Mr. Stern, but, it’s worth a shot. I just wrote one letter…
August 12th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Everyone who wants the Sonics to stay in Seattle should do these simple things:
1. write Nichols, Gregoire & Ron Sims & their state & King country council Reps once a month until the issue is resolved simply asking them to do what they can to keep the Sonics in the Seattle region.
2. give as many of your freinds who feel this way the contact information & ask them to do the same.
3. Write Dave Stern once a month urging his efforts to keep the Sonics local & simply state Clay has NOT made his promised “Good Faith” effort & the NBA has a resonsibility to hold Clay accountable for his poor efforts in this area by not allowing him to move the team if other reasonable options are out there to keep them in seattle. This would be a violation of the NBA’s stated commitment to treat their teams as a “Public Trust” in their communities.
4. Attend as many Sonics games as possible
5. Write any potential local owner who starts speaking up that they would buy the team &/or help build an arena & tell them you love them.
August 12th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
“Everyone who wants the Sonics to stay in Seattle should do these simple things.” Add a #6
6. Contribute and volunteer on behalf of “A Deal Is A Deal”. As many of you know, this Seattle initiative, if passed, will require the City to enforce the Sonics’s lease through 2010. Go to a http://www.adealisadeal.org and make a contribution!
August 12th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
It’s on Seattlepi.com right now. Just broke.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
realgm.com just got ahold of the PI article that elf is speaking of
August 12th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Wow. Great work guys. This is definitely going to hit the TV circuit tomorrow! Some PTI perhaps?
August 12th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Plsseattle…
Nice comment on #6 - agree
August 12th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Guys, Clay Bennett has been both a blessing and a curse. In reality, the blessing is that he came in to build a winner so that he would be able to bring a future to OKC. He was also part of the NBA board of governors while a part of the Spurs organization. These ties and intentions have provided the Sonics with management that is willing to make the necessary moves starting now.
He has been a curse because he wants to move the team and has completely breached his integrity to accomplish his primary intentions.
We probably wouldn’t be where we are as far as team direction goes without his efforts to procure a new “culture” surrounding Sonics basketball. So, let’s just make sure that we the fans, the media, the political officials, and the private investors do what it takes to keep this team here.
That way Clay is either forced to sell, or stay here and like it. If we can accomplish that, then we will be able to have our cake and eat it too.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Good job guys on getting the news out in the media. If Sonics fans can get the info in the media in mere hours on a Sunday afternoon, we can do so much more. Something to be proud of. Count me in on volunteering towards the initiative and other Save Our Sonics events.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/327379_sonx13.html
Nicely done!!!
August 12th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I would bet the player’s association would be interested in knowing that the Sonics were purchased under false pretenses. I doubt many players want to move to OKC, if any
I believe that is the real reason behind gutting all vet players and all who have ties to Seattle. That is why Bennett will get rid of local product Luke Ridnour next. Farewell Luke.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Props on getting the article to the media. Hope the local and national media make a big deal in attempting to keep the Sonics and Storm in Seattle. The initiative got my total support. Shame on Clay Bennett!! Washington State leaders should step up and take control of this situation. Keep the Sonics and Storm in Seattle!! Go Sonics!!
August 12th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
You’ve got to love how the writer took the “self-imposed gag order” idea and ran with it. If that doesn’t raise a red flag for Mr. Stern, what will?!!
August 12th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
We should start a petition and get Stern’s attention that the Sonics and Storm should stay in Seattle.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I agree with everyone here (no surprise). Part of the sale agreement was that he was supposed to put out a “good faith effort” to keep the team in Seattle. His actions, or lack thereof, have proven shown NO good faith effort and now this article proves his intent was never to try anyway. Scumbag.
So my question is, can this be used somehow, legally or otherwise to show that he has not and will not put forth the “good faith effort” he has agreed to?
August 13th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Interesting story. I saw it posted in the blogs at the Seattle Times at about 10 this morning. Glad you picked up on it.
DK, the relocation committee isn’t appointed until someone files for relocation, meaning there isn’t a sitting relocation committee.
James, not to sound picky, but Colin is actually from Centralia, not Seattle. He worked in Portland for a while, but I recall that he was big on the Ms and Seahawks. Unfortunately his style is such that he might throw Seattle under the bus on this one. Or, he could just start calling the Okies a bunch of rednecks. Hard to figure how he’ll play this one up.
As for the smoking gun theory, this article is definitely inflammatory, but it doesn’t change the fact that the ball is still in our court. We have to get things done on this end. I don’t see this as a deal-breaker for CB’s chance to move the team to okieville. I do see it as impetus for the region to get moving on saving the Sonics.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Aubrey McLendon is nothing but a goofball shithead with no brain! It doesn’t surprise me at all after reading this story, he’s a liar like Ken Behring was when owned the Seahawks.
I agree with many of you out there that boycotting the games will not do any good cause we would be perceived by the NBA that we don’t want the team here and look one of you said go to Key Arena as much as you can to support the Sonics.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:34 am
It wouldn’t happen and might not do any good but I know what I’d like to see.
I’d like to see Sonic fans unite and do things that would really bring major national attention and NBA attention to this issue.
Remember the “Disco Sucks” record burnings? How about some massive, scheduled events where we make huge bonfires out of anything NBA related.
Boycott NBA advertisers (locally and nationally).
Show the league that if the Sonics leave us then we leave the NBA and its financial supporters. Hit them where it hurts…$$$.
Yeah, maybe it wouldn’t hurt sales that much but it would shine a big spotlight on things, current advertisers would be hurt, and future advertisers might be scared off.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:41 am
I think this is the first “we surrender” flag. Surrender is too strong a word, but it is at least the first ‘okay, we underestimated the resolve (thanks Brian, the community, et al) of the Seattle market’, let’s hype up the issue and fester the intrigue and value of the team by an inflammatory quote/article. Most “leaks” aren’t really leaks. But hey, Aubrey McClendon, Greg Johns, et al, keep spreading the word!
August 13th, 2007 at 1:20 am
What a jerk…
I guess it will help the Sonics to stay in Seattle, they admit that Seattle is a better market but they want to move anyway ? Can’t see Stern allowing such a stupid move.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:36 am
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/sonics/story/131780.html
August 13th, 2007 at 4:22 am
I can’t believe Bennett’s group allowed this calamitous PR mistake to follow thru in the paper.
With that said, screw them. These are billionaires pirates that are screwing with our tradition.
And what do the majority of seattle people say??
“Forget it, I”m not paying another dollar for pro sports teams”
down right freaking depressing day
August 13th, 2007 at 5:14 am
I wrote Henry Abbot at TrueHoop this morning when B first posted this.
Still nothing on TrueHoop.
We’ve got the PI and the Tribune with good coverage on this, but nothing National.
I just got home from work and emailed Tony Meija at Sportsline and Percy Allen at the SeattleTimes. These are two guys I have always respected and would think would be all over this.
I also sent emails and posted on the blogs for Eric Williams at the Tribune and the guy at the PI to thank them for covering the topic.
Then I checked TrueHoop.com.
Still nothing. What is up with that?
So I emailed this:
Truehoop peeps:
In Seattle we’re shocked.
Maybe you just look at as naive and say “DUH!” But we believed the Sonics owner when he said he would in good faith try to negotiate a deal to keep the Sonics in Seattle.
Are we really so wrong to believe him? Now that it’s come out that theire intention was never to keep the Sonics in Seattle, it is clear that they lied.
We cannot just accept this. We cannot accept referees who cheat. We cannot accept a president who lies, authors who lie, we cannot just rollover and say that is how it goes, people lie in business and politics, get over it.
We have got to hold Bennet accountable for lieing.
And keep the Sonics in Seattle.
This is a smoking gun.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/327379_sonx13.html
thanks,
G
*******
August 13th, 2007 at 5:36 am
And I just sent this in to Mark Stein at ESPN. Maybe I’m just fired up because I’m sick of the lieing from our government, but the world is a better place when people can be trusted.
*******
Mr Stein:
For a man who calls Seattle “a city we would like to stay in”, who purchased the team in good faith to keep it where it has been for 40 years, he’s been a pretty good liar.
And now the deal us up. Clay Bennet lied.
And we cannot accept that.
Sure we are passionate sports fans, and we are threatened to lose our team. You can understand we might be emotional. I can imagine you get lots of emails asking why you haven’t covered particular news stories.
But this is core. An owner who purchases a team under false pretenses needs to be held accountable.
Thank you for taking note:
http://sonicscentral.com/blog/?p=1389
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/327379_sonx13.html
http://theseattlesupersonics.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Gabe
August 13th, 2007 at 6:09 am
Are you people serious? Everyone already knew that the Bennett group wanted the team in OKC.That was known from day one. Bennett stated that he has a Nov. 1 deadline and unless Seattle has an arena agreement in place he would move the Sonics. This news is nothing new.At least the tax payers will not be burdened this time. Find another cause to spend tax dollars on. I am sure that there are many other things higher up on the charts than the NBA.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:22 am
No one “knew” anything, they suspected. That’s way different than knowing. Look over the thread, Not a reading Fan, and consider the implications.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Perfect! Let’s stick it to these bastards by not allowing them to accomplish their ultimate goal.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Good to see this come out. Good to see all these familiar names.
All of these guys are political donors and players in Oklahoma. They all are heavy donors in every election cycle. There was never any doubt that they had no intention of keeping the team here. They are tied into the business and political community down there. If they had actually tried in good faith to keep and manage the team in Seattle, their political and business allies would have let them hear about their disappointment.
If they had been able to secure an arena deal, they would have simply turned the team around, pocketed the cash, and attempted to get a different team to Oklahoma.
This whole business has been the biggest farce ever seen in Seattle. It’s been a bigger farce than Smulyan, and it’s been a bigger farce than Ken Behring.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Here’s what needs to happen. Seattle leaders, stunned by these comments need to step up publicly and state that “given the apperent dishonesty they do not know how to proceed. If the PBC wants to be taken seriously they need to define clearly and specifically the criteria under which they would remain in Seattle or sell the team.” After McClendons comments nobody is going to put the real legwork necessary into a new building unless they have some sense that it won’t be ignored. Really thats been a large part of the hangup since day 1.
August 13th, 2007 at 7:59 am
I think it’s too late to get an arena deal done by Nov. 1st regardless of what was said. State officials do not want to spend the tax payers money on another arena and the tax payers have spoken loud and clear with I91. Why do you think that Mr. Bigbucks sold the team to out of towners? Because he couldn’t find a local who was dumb enough to throw good money into a losing cause. Bennett is just now seeing why Bigbucks couldn’t sell to a local owner. Bennett knows he can’t get a new arena in Seattle,it just will not happen. If he continues as status quo he will just lose money like Mr. Bigbucks did.I don’t care how much money one has it doesn’t make sense to just throw it away.And if he is going to just throw it away he might as well do it where he lives and works. Besides,McClendon’ statement was prob. taken out of context.Don’t believe everything you read. Did you know that the Bennett group was formed to get an NBA team for OKC? That was the 1st statement that was made when they formed the ownership group. It doesn’t matter if McClendon stated that he has always wanted the Sonics in OKC because everyone already knew that and he wasn’t in the negotiating process of keeping them in Seattle anyway. Bennett is the lead man who does the negotiating. McClendon prob. doesn’t even keep up with the day to day happenings of the Sonics.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:01 am
The story is in both Hoopshype and Hoopsworld. Great that we now have national attention.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Article up on Truehoop
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-27-49/Steamed-in-Seattle.html
August 13th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Front page on the print version of the PI this morning. Nice work. I also heard a mention of it on NPR this morning; the local broadcast, though, rather than the national one.
I have to say that none of his comments shocked me. Disgusted, yes. Shocked, no.
Brian, what’s the status on the Initiative? Has the signature gathering started yet? It’s been awfully quiet on the DealisaDeal front …
August 13th, 2007 at 8:08 am
[...] usting, and closed-minded? Stuff like this is what makes them so. Because as I believe was first pointed out on SonicsCentral, Clay Bennett’s friend and Sonic co-owner, Aubrey McClendon has be [...]
August 13th, 2007 at 8:10 am
It’s up on ESPN.com, too, and the headline isn’t too favorable to the owners: Owner says goal was to move Sonics to Oklahoma
August 13th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Not a Tax Fan:
A lot of people including Mr. Stern wanted to give Clay Bennett the benefit of the doubt eventhough we were extremely skeptical of his motives. Whether you believed him or not, it is big news when a co-owner exposes you as a liar. If it wasn’t news, journalists would ignore this story. All we are asking for is an honest effort to keep the team in town, and that effort does not need to involve tax dollars.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:22 am
So now that the “smoking gun” has been found, so what? This isn’t going to change the way the Bennett group operates. They will proceed with what some of us have suspected from day one. There will have to be damage control but that’s about it.
Bennett has never met the Seattle mayor, has said unless the city agrees to talk about a new arena they have no need to meet, and now it appears that withthis admission he probably thinks it wise that they never meet. Bennett will keep rolling along with his plan to file for relocation.
Will this article give a stronger resolve to city officials to hold the team to it’s lease? Possibly, but that’s what we have expected from them before this leak. Nothing should change because of it.
Will this open the eyes of the NBA? I suspect not, and think that both the league office and the owners have run down the scenarios themselves for reasons why they would either deny or grant a relocation application. The Seattle situation isn’t unique or precident setting.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:43 am
OK, so you “may” be losing your team. I am from Oklahoma and the support for the league has been outstanding for the Hornets when they forced to move here. I believe that we can sustain a team and make it a successful venture.
I do believe Clay and his group have made some effort to keep the team in Seattle— the “admittance” is not going to change anything. Everyone has know from the beginning that Clay has wanted a team for Oklahoma. From the news I have seen, most of the support has dwindled in Seattle as taxpayers are tired of funding stadiums and varying arenas. This is quite understandable.
However, I do not feel that is necessary to call us “rednecks” for what “may” happen. If you have harsh feelings, they should be turned towards those who have approved the funding of various arenas that should have been privatized investments–that is what is leading to this scenario— not Oklahomans. So please, say what you must, but have a little class and leave the stereotyping at the door.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:44 am
From ESPN TrueHoop
http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop
Steamed in Seattle
August 13, 2007 10:48 AM
Remember when Clay Bennett and all those rich men from Oklahoma City bought the Seattle SuperSonics? And everyone involved said no, no, no, good people of Seattle, you don’t understand, these people aren’t trying to take your team! Don’t be silly!
Bennett made meaningful noises about being committed to Seattle. Here I’ll quote him from a freakishly prescient 2006 Ted Miller column in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
* “The No. 1 objective, our primary and sincere efforts, will be driven towards being successful here.”
* “It is not our intention to move or relocate the team. … I personally would be surprised if it were not successful. … We fully intend to fulfill our obligation to KeyArena. … (His pursuit of a team in Oklahoma City) is unrelated to this transaction.”
You know how some people have no optimism? They are bitter, untrusting, and closed-minded? Stuff like this is what makes them so.
Because as I believe was first pointed out on SonicsCentral, Clay Bennett’s friend and Sonic co-owner, Aubrey McClendon has been talking. Here he is from a Jerry Shottenkirk article in Oklahoma’s Journal Record:
“We started to look around, and at that time the Sonics were going through some ownership challenges in Seattle,” McClendon said. “So Clay, very artfully and skillfully, put himself in the middle of those discussions and to the great amazement and surprise to everyone in Seattle, some rednecks from Oklahoma, which we’ve been called, made off with the team. At any rate I’m pleased to be part of the ownership group and Clay has done a terrific job of managing the process.”
McClendon said the team would probably make more money if it stayed in Seattle.
“But we didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here,” he said. “We know it’s a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it’s great for the community and if we could break even we’d be thrilled.”
Let’s repeat: “We didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle.”
Wow! (Memo, once again, to the people of Oklahoma: There is no longer any such thing as local media.)
The people from SonicsCentral are steamed at the former owners, led by Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz — locals who made a lot of money on the deal, while selling the team out from under the fan’s noses.
As much as I get that, I’m not sure what that does for Sonic fans. What can Schultz do for you now? Offer his limp and late support for a grassroots effort?
Wouldn’t you rather use this apparent smoking gun (brace yourself for some spin and backtracking) to get other NBA owners and the commissioner on your side?
What I think this does is give all kinds of leverage to anyone in Seattle trying to appeal to the powers that be — like the judge who will inevitably be deciding whether or not the Sonics and Storm can get out of their lease at Key Arena, which runs into 2010, and the NBA’s commissioner and relocation committee.
To all of those people the fans of the Sonics can now say: We have not had a good faith effort to keep the team in Seattle.
To politicians in Seattle trying to get a deal done for a new stadium, they can now, I would imagine, be a little less scared of that much bally-hooed October 2007 deadline. If the ownership hasn’t really been negotiating all this time, whose fault is it if a deal isn’t done?
And doesn’t the NBA have an obligation to the other 29 owners, and the health of the league, to encourage the team to play where it will be most profitable? Here’s one example of why: remember that through the luxury tax, the NBA has a version revenue sharing. Teams that spend a lot of money write large checks every year to teams that spend less. If you’re an owner, or indeed the league, wouldn’t you rather have the Sonics where they will make the most money, and perhaps send you some?
I read that whole Aubrey McClendon article. He sounds like a nice guy. As far as I’m concerned he could be a fine NBA owner. Quite frankly, I applaud his candor. I’m always a fan of people who tell the truth.
I just don’t think he should get this one, at this time, in Oklahoma City. Not this way. Because if Clay Bennett, Aubrey McClendon and company end up with the Sonics in Oklahoma City, it sends a devestating message to sports fans. It says that the team you love could be ripped away from you and the people selling the team, the people buying the team, and the league will all pretend to you that it is not even happening. They cheer alongside you, even as they usurp your ability to recognize the issue at hand and fight for your team.
These kinds of hush-hush decisions by the priveleged few ignore the reality of the sports industry: that without passionate fans, there is no industry at all. Mess with that passion at your peril.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I thought this comment on True Hoop was very well written
“Very well written, you hit just about every nail on the head. The Sonics moving to OKC would put the league in an awful light spelling that just about every chap with a few hundred million dollars can buy an NBA team for his hometown of, say, Alboquerque. I think people undervalue how bad this can be for a league that still pales in comparison to the NFL and MLB in terms of tradition - the one thing which could keep the NBA from further sinking in the post-Jordan era. The Sonics are one of the genuinely deeply-rooted franchises in the league that has won a championship, had 3 finals appearances, and built a loyal fanbase and tradition over a long time, but this is all going to mean squat because of a couple of guys from Oklahoma are feeling generous towards their community. Great message to the fans: “Go ahead, fall in love with your team, take your kids to their games…they might just be here for a few more years.”"
August 13th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Henry nailed it in his column today:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-27-49/Steamed-in-Seattle.html
McClendon’s comments could come back to haunt him. They have no shot at proving a good faith effort now. For those that want to keep this team the best option is to get that initiative passed, lobby the mayor to hold this group of two-faced to their lease until 2010 and bleeding them dry.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:58 am
When are we gonna hear something from Stern? I know he’s in up to his neck this offseason, but if there is even a remote possibility of allowing this team to leave he HAS to respond to comments like this! The whole good faith, seattle-first mentality was a blantant lie and going to an admitedly crappier market (which I would like to say won’t draw 17,000 fans that our “tiny” stadium can) CANNOT be good for business. Wouldn’t Stern rather have a finals between NY and LA (not the teams mind you, the cities) than OKlahoma and Memphis?! One way to prevent that is (shock!) NOT HAVE A FRICKIN TEAM IN OKLAHOMA. Thankfully this came out while there may still be time to act on it. Nickels is staying strong and I’m happy to see it after my billion emails to him. Now Stern’s gotta stand… well… stern in order to make good business and basketball decisions. Here’s hoping that the panel of owners who vote on this thing show a little respect for our city and stick up for us after this lying group of f**kers arrogantly admit their strategy has been working from day one.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:00 am
“I do believe Clay and his group have made some effort to keep the team in Seattle— the “admittance” is not going to change anything. ”
I think Aubrey McClendon just clowned you this morning buddy.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:03 am
It’s a gloomy day, when we learn what we all knew in our gut was true - that these guys intend to move the team.
The good news is now we know. As I see it, there are a couple of people who could save the Sonics, and Sabey is at the top of the list. If a realistic Seattle proposal is made - and nobody else has made one - then the onus is on Bennett to show the NBA relocation committee that he did not fleece everyone.
Also, the NBA is aware that many stadiums are built with public money. Other municipalities will be reluctant to invest in arenas if they see Seattle’s current lease broken.
Plus, all the owners get less revenue when teams are relocated into smaller markets, so the NBA has financial reason to reject a move to OKC. Just because these particular billionaires can afford to break even, most owners want the NBA to be the best possible product.
Seattle is a gateway to Canada, Japan and China - the most important world markets for the NBA’s future. Between Seattle and Vancouver BC, the region has huge Asian market connections. Moving to OKC is a big negative move against Stern’s vision of an internationalized NBA, which has seen monumental growth of the sport all over the globe.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:04 am
It’s now the top story on MSNBC’s NBA section as well.
There’s part of me that thinks this was a calculated PR move. It brings out the “Picked Last At Recess” crowd, like Not a Tax Fan, doing their whole, “there was never a chance to save the team anyway” shtick, and possibly deflates the burgeoning growth in interest among the casual fans.
That said, if there really was a “good faith clause” in the purchase of the team, Schultz, Sabey, or someone can step forward and save the team today. The outright “we swindled those city slickers” comments in this article should at least make them a little angry.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:04 am
My comment on TrueHoop:
The big issue is that the ownership group just came out and admitted that the team would make more money in Seattle. Since most money is generated from “fan interest” I am not sure how anyone can argue that the fans in OKC would be more passionate. Sure, a greater % of the population might support the team than in Seattle…but that is just because the market is so small.
The amazing thing to me is that so many people claim that OKC has this great track record for supporting their teams and yet it has only been two years…Seattle has supported its team for 40 years and if we are considered lukewarm supporters of the Sonics I’d love to hear about the fans in Boston and Philly who have supported their team even less over the last few years.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Seattle is a gateway to Canada, Japan and China - the most important world markets for the NBA’s future. Between Seattle and Vancouver BC, the region has huge Asian market connections. Moving to OKC is a big negative move against Stern’s vision of an internationalized NBA, which has seen monumental growth of the sport all over the globe.
- That is probably the hardest thing for someone who wants to logically understand this process. There is really no reason the NBA as a business should want to allow to move this team. This I guess is why the NFL is such a great power and the NBA is starting to slip into 3rd place status…
August 13th, 2007 at 9:11 am
DK… “The Seattle situation isn’t unique or precident setting.”
Could you cite examples of a team that got new owner and subsequently moved to a new city. I know that Vancouver was nearly sold to a guy who was going to direct move them to St. Louis, but the league actually stepped in and stopped it. However at the same time the league listing a set of requirements, which basically boiled down to their current owner proving that it was not economically possible to keep the team in Vancouver. Once that was meet, the NBA owners let the team move.
Seattle’s situation is not akin to Vancouver. For several reason: 1) the team played in Canada meaning that it costs their owners much more to run the franchise their than in the US; 2) the Griz did not have much history in Vancouver, where as Seattle (as we all know) has 40 years of history. 3) It completely screws up the divisions, because they should be in with the 3 Texas teams, Memphis & New Orleans. 4) If it’s true that they won’t make as much $$$ as they would if they stayed in Seattle, then it defeat one of their key arguments for moving the team.
Finally, if the reason they are losing money is the type of lease they have with the Key Arena (ie the percent of revenue they lose from concessions, suites, tickets, etc) then couldn’t the city just re-work the lease in the Key Arena so that the Sonics are responsible for funding the Seattle Center? I don’t know why this hasn’t been brought up more. I mean, wasn’t the argument for Schultz that they lose $$$ because the lease was cooked up when the team was a consistent playoff team and when the team dropped off the extra revenue wasn’t their and they started to lose $$$ because they weren’t taking in 100% of the concessions, ticket/suite sales?
August 13th, 2007 at 9:12 am
i’ll try to keep up with posts in moderation today guys, but its a very busy day for me so please be patient.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:15 am
- Also, I would say that this is probably one of the first times an owner has wanted to move his team to a decidedly smaller market. This isn’t going from Charlotte to NO or even Vancouver to Memphis…where the league can see a slight decrease in market size but figures it can deal with it.
Moving from Seattle to OKC would be like if the Knicks decided they were going to move to Seattle…
August 13th, 2007 at 9:23 am
“Finally, if the reason they are losing money is the type of lease they have with the Key Arena (ie the percent of revenue they lose from concessions, suites, tickets, etc) then couldn’t the city just re-work the lease in the Key Arena so that the Sonics are responsible for funding the Seattle Center? I don’t know why this hasn’t been brought up more. I mean, wasn’t the argument for Schultz that they lose $$$ because the lease was cooked up when the team was a consistent playoff team and when the team dropped off the extra revenue wasn’t their and they started to lose $$$ because they weren’t taking in 100% of the concessions, ticket/suite sales? ”
It’s a bit more complicated than that … the bulk of the money comes from lux suite sales … remember the key was built before safeco and qwest. when the city allowed those stadia to be built they screwed themselves on their own investment in key arena by dividing their market in 3…typical city of seattle mismanagement and lack of foresight…and so far they have been very convienently ducking that. The city can’t re-do the terms of the lease because the way everything is written it’s not just the Key that’s covered, it’s all of seattle center…the concessions contracts, the beer deals … everything. That is why i have been telling you for months that nobody wants to do business with the city. Seattle center as it stands right now is not an option for anyone who wants to run a successful business.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:28 am
[...] eattle? We wouldn’t hold your breath on that. In an incredibly odd interview with an Oklahoma newspaper, Aubrey McClendon, one of the new Sonics owners, [...]
August 13th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Wow. Holy crap. When I first read this on ESPN.com, I felt sick.
But you know what? This is the best thing that can happen for our cause. We can now stand up and scream at the top of our lungs that we have no been given a “good faith effort”. It’s been obvious to us for a while now. But now it’s going to be nationally obvious.
Screw these rednecks. I was against using that term up until now. When that bitch McClendon so smugly laughed about people referring to them as such and said, “well look. the rednecks took your basketball team.”
This is war.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Also, did anyone hear the girl from OKC on Mitch’s show today that claimed that Clay Bennett was some sort of PR master…one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. If there is one thing I can’t give credit for is how they handled this from a PR standpoint. Even ARod was able to lie through his teeth better…
August 13th, 2007 at 9:56 am
reading the comments section after the ESPN column makes me want to puke
it’s amazing how ignorant the national public outside of the pac NW is to the situation.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:03 am
all i wish is that the nba owners and david stern see all this and block the move, forcing clay to sell the team. is that a possibility? or just my wishful thinking?
August 13th, 2007 at 10:17 am
i dont think they can force him to sell, but they can force him to stay in seattle and accept the key arena remodel or something else, which would in turn most likely cause clay to sell the team to local ownership
August 13th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Interesting note.
Last years attendance for Hornets games was down 1.9% from thier first season in OKC.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:33 am
1. Clay’s best effort was: Paying his buddy from OKC to draw a pretty picture of a new arena and then demanding $300 million from the state. I don’t think this should count as any kind of best effort. A 3rd grader could try harder.
2. My current worry about the future is: When Clay gets defeated and then backed into a corner, he may end up having a hissy fit and trading Kevin Durant for Gordon Giricek or something like that. Who knows what a billionaire having temper tantrum looks like? He has been building a quality team to bring it to OKC. If he can’t bring it home then he will probably have the mindset of “if I can’t have it then nobody can”.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Interesting note.
Last years attendance for Hornets games was down 1.9% from thier first season in OKC.
- I’ve said this since day one…it just drives me crazy how everyone acts lke OKC is some sort of bulletproof market. I think the KC Royals are a perfect example of why you don’t want a team in small market….
- Everyone keep trying to post comments on the ESPN site. If there are more comments it will help show the powers that be that this truly is an interesting national story.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:40 am
“Also, did anyone hear the girl from OKC on Mitch’s show today that claimed that Clay Bennett was some sort of PR master…one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard.”
There’s a big difference being a PR master in the midwest as opposed to the rest of the country.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:42 am
It is easy to be a PR Master if you are preaching to the choir.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:44 am
This isn’t a problem with Seattle, it’s a problem with the NBA. The answer to a franchise losing money is to simple move the team to a community that is willing to off set the losses on an annual basis.
Look at the Memphis Franchise they are looking to relocate for the 3rd time in 10 years.
You’ve made money for the players and owners and what expense? When do the fans come into the equation?
August 13th, 2007 at 10:44 am
I heard some moron on softy’s show this morning trying to defend the OKC market by using the Green Bay Packers as an example…. HAHAHAHAHA
How about you look at teams that remotely resemble the situation of a NBA team moving to OKC, like when the Grizzlies moved to Memphis and now the NBA has to pay fans to show up.
Any person who thinks moving the sonics to OKC and it’s going to be a good business move, is really not that bright.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:53 am
It makes me want to carry a “STOP LYING CLAY” sign with that quote underneath it to every game next season.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I’m so freaking sick of hearing this Green Bay nonsense. You put an NFL team in ANY city in the country where it’s the only team in the entire state and they’d succeed. The NFL is that big. The crappiest teams sell out games. Not to mention only having to support 10 events a year. Enough already.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:00 am
““Also, did anyone hear the girl from OKC on Mitch’s show today that claimed that Clay Bennett was some sort of PR master…one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard.””
They must be easily impressed in OKC. Bennett can’t be a PR master if he can’t keep junior partner #4 from shooting his mouth off to the local press. McClendon might just have lost them their team with those comments, because they have no shot at convincing anyone in Seattle or in the NBA office there was a “good faith agreement” from the beginning and Bennett’s obviously lied about that multiple times.
If I was in this investment group with McClendon I’d be chewing out his dumb ass on the phone right now. That guy might be dumber than the Joe Bob Briggs character in Casino.
Ace Rothstein: Listen to me very carefully. There are three ways of doing things around here: the right way, the wrong way, or the way that I do it. You understand?
Don Ward: I do understand that. I’ll get right on it. And thank you.
Ace Rothstein: Don’t thank me. Just do it. You’re the slots manager. I shouldn’t have to tell you this.
Don Ward: Dang, you are right Mr. Rothstein. I am so sorry.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:08 am
“I’m so freaking sick of hearing this Green Bay nonsense. You put an NFL team in ANY city in the country where it’s the only team in the entire state and they’d succeed. The NFL is that big. The crappiest teams sell out games. Not to mention only having to support 10 events a year. Enough already. ”
Yeah, that’s ignorant nonsense. Apart from what you’ve already written EJ, the Packers are one of the two oldest franchises in the NFL … they’ve been in the Green Bay market for over 70 years. There’s a history and a local tie there that doesn’t exist in OKC. My guess is that’s a comment made by somebody who’s never been to either town.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:10 am
“I heard some moron on softy’s show this morning trying to defend the OKC market by using the Green Bay Packers as an example…. HAHAHAHAHA”
The fact that Milwauki is just down the road helps the Green Bay Packers. Still I read some moron on the P-I’s Sonic forum suggest that an NBA team would draw people from north Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arkansas.
What a clown.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:13 am
great truehoop credit to this site for breaking the story:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-27-49/Steamed-in-Seattle.html
August 13th, 2007 at 11:20 am
MarkS, that’s hilarious! I know I’d rather travel 100s of miles to go to see a team in OKC than cross the street to see the Mavs, Spurs, Rockets or Nuggets. WAHOOOOOO!!!!
August 13th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I actually like the Grean Bay Packer idea… if it was implemented in Seattle. Why couldn’t we rally Sabey and other local owners to make a pitch buy (or in Sabey’s case reacquire) ownership in the franchise, then take it public like the Packers and the Cleveland Indians did to bring an instant revenue boost into the franchise to facilitate a new arena being built with private $$$?
August 13th, 2007 at 11:23 am
“Still I read some moron on the P-I’s Sonic forum suggest that an NBA team would draw people from north Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arkansas.
What a clown. ”
Yeah, again these are comments from people who have obviously never been to these places. New Mexico? Albuquerque is my home town and that’s a good 7 or 8 hour drive to OKC. South Colorado??? It’s far, far closer to Denver than OKC. And the towns in between are pretty small … Amarillo? Lubbock? Wichita? No offense to people there, but that’s hardly big enough to be a fan base.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I originally posted this on the Seattle Times Sonics Forum. It shows how the success of the Hornets in OKC was a lot of smoke and mirrors.
______________________________________________
Here’s some info that refutes claims by the Okie trolls on this board. For one the Hornets were never among the top 10 in attendance though one has to admit they did better there than in New Orleans.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance
According to the next article:
The team’s total local revenue puts the Hornets in the lower third of the NBA, according to one industry expert who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the financials. The NBA does not comment on specific team financial information.
Also
the Hornets generated almost $26.5 million in total ticket revenue at the Ford Center, with about $24 million coming from season-ticket sales, $1.2 million from single-game ticket sales and $1.3 million from group sales. The total ticket revenue to the team, however, was reduced to $24.8 million after the NBA took a gate fee of $1.59 million and certain season-ticket and group-ticket refunds were made.
But here’s where it gets interesting
The Hornets had an average posted attendance of 17,833 this season at the 19,163-seat Ford Center, but the filing shows that the average drop count, or actual turnstile count, was 13,269, or 74 percent of the reported average attendance.
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.main&articleId=55421
August 13th, 2007 at 11:40 am
“Moving from Seattle to OKC would be like if the Knicks decided they were going to move to Seattle…”
Cool. Then we’d finally get Jamal Crawford and Nate Rob!!!
“We can now stand up and scream at the top of our lungs that we have no been given a “good faith effort”.”
Waste of time. From my understanding there are no legally binding terms to “good faith effort”. Think about how vague that phrase is. It was stated that way for a reason.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Seriously, if Oklahoma City wants a team sooooo bad, why don’t they have a CBA or a D-League team? I mean, test it out, what is it going to hurt? Oh yeah, it will hurt them because 3 years after that CBA or D-League team is established the attendence will dewindle and wouldn’t be worth it.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Having a CBA or D-League team does nothing for an effort to get an NBA team. They already hosted an NBA team. Why go backwards?
August 13th, 2007 at 11:54 am
looks like bennett released a statement saying that aubrey was just being excited and doesnt represent the opinions of the entire ownership group
CROCK OF SH*T
August 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
OKC had a CBA team the Cavalry. After winning a championship it promptly folded.
http://www.sonicscentral.com/bboard/viewtopic.php?t=3328
August 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I’m sick of Dick Fain defending Clay Bennett. Get FUCKING real Dick! Clay is a lying snake, WAKE UP!
August 13th, 2007 at 11:58 am
I don’t see any reason to get worked up guys. This doesn’t change anything.
Bottom line we need Nickels to buy more time by enforcing the lease!
August 13th, 2007 at 11:58 am
From the last press release it seems as if Aubrey has gotten his a$$ chewed from Clay-Clay.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:58 am
“Waste of time. From my understanding there are no legally binding terms to “good faith effort”. Think about how vague that phrase is. It was stated that way for a reason.”
That really isn’t true. Whether or not “good faith” has been performed in a contract situation is taken very seriously by the courts and quite often the cause for breach of contract. The term itself may sound vague, but that doesn’t mean a judge or a jury won’t be asked to make a decision as to whether or not a “good faith” requirement has been met.
In this case, the real issue will be determining who has standing to assert that the good faith requirement was not met.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Anyone catch Clay Bennent’s repsonse to Mclendon’s comments from Realgm.com.
“As the controlling owner, I admire my fellow owners and appreciate their support,” said Clay Bennett. “While they are excited about the basketball operations and the future of the team on the court, they, like me, have been disheartened by the lack of progress we have made to secure a new arena for the Sonics and Storm. Aubrey expressed his personal thoughts and, in context of the story, was not speaking on behalf of the ownership group. It is my hope we will see a breakthrough in the next 60 days that will result in securing a new arena for the Sonics and Storm in the Greater Seattle area.”
What a joke this guy is.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Unfourtanately, that half-assed propsal that didn’t mention how much money Clay would put in, or if they would cover the cost over-runs will probably be considered as a “good faith” effort.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Anyone think this might have come of the frustration of a year spent batting their heads against the politics in Washington? Of being villified for their politics, and ignored by most of the Washington politicos? Hoped is not planned. There are lots of assumptions being made and words put in Clay Bennett’s mouth based on something someone else said. My take is they hoped to either get a new arena built and make money in Seattle, or if that wouldn’t happen, they hoped to move the team to their home. That’s what they’ve said from the start, they just left the word hope out. So, build them the arena and keep the Sonics. That was the deal.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I just like how all the OKC fans act like they will be willing to do whatever Clay and his ownership team wants…if the team does move I really, really bet that this little situation is going to blow up in Clay’s face much like it did for Howard…
August 13th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I want so bad for the team to stay in Seattle for the simple pleasure of rubbing it in the OKC ownership groups face. When and if the team stays in Seattle I will be ANYTHING but a gracious winner. Its all about watching the current ownership group get completely F**KED over trying to steal the Sonics.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
>
I heard that too and he also mentioned that the NBA should keep the Sonics name in Seattle and get another expansion team! I find that pathetic because what are the odds of getting another team here? Zero! Cause look what happened with San Diego loss the Clippers? Cincinnati loss the Royals? And Kansas City loss the Kings to Sacramento? I find that callers attitude ludicris!
August 13th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
So Aubrey McCledndon is disheartened by the lack of progress in Seattle? Excuse me while I go eat a pile of garbage. Somebody just told me it tastes good.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
“Aubrey expressed his personal thoughts and, in context of the story, was not speaking on behalf of the ownership group.”
Of course he wasn’t speaking on behalf of your group Clay. Why would anyone here think that?
“But we didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here,” he said. “We know it’s a little more difficult financially here in Oklahoma City, but we think it’s great for the community and if we could break even we’d be thrilled.”
August 13th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
You wanna know why it took so long to get a statement from Bennett? All his people were running around all day trying to figure out how best to squash this. And the best he could come up with was to say that McClendon is just excited? Nice.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
“Moving from Seattle to OKC would be like if the Knicks decided they were going to move to Seattle…”
Cool. Then we’d finally get Jamal Crawford and Nate Rob!!!
- Don’t for get JJ…
August 13th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
mcwalter44 Says:
August 13th, 2007 at 9:11 am
DK… “The Seattle situation isn’t unique or precident setting.”
Could you cite examples of a team that got new owner and subsequently moved to a new city.
They were called the Seattle Pilots, a new stadium wasn’t built in a timely manor, the team left, the league ended up in court with folks from Seattle, and that is how and why Seattle got the Mariners.
MLB did look at Seattle in the throws of Boeing layoffs of the early 1970’s and say, Hey, let’s put a baseball team there. The ended up in court and LOST.
I don’t think the NBA wants to end up in court with Seattle (one of the many owners), it would be very expensive and there appears to be information in an OKC newspaper today that could fuel a case by any of the 50+ former owners, including the ones that didn’t want to sell in the first place. The “side letter” was to ALL of the owners, I think any or all could act on it.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
“That really isn’t true. Whether or not “good faith” has been performed in a contract situation is taken very seriously by the courts and quite often the cause for breach of contract. The term itself may sound vague, but that doesn’t mean a judge or a jury won’t be asked to make a decision as to whether or not a “good faith” requirement has been met.”
Could very well be true. I just have a feeling that there aren’t any legally binding provisions to the “effort”. Why would the OKC group agree to that at all? If there were guidelines……..I would think that we would have heard them by now? And if there were provisions…….I’m sure Bennett has met them (no matter what we think).
If there is something legally binding, their group can always counter the one statement with the fact that they invested x amount of dollars to the effort. They hired that PR firm (I think). They explored property. They went through rounds of revisions for a proposal that the legislature shunned.
This shouldn’t be news to anyone. Despite what has been said in the past……OKC has always been the plan. Part of the ownership group just finally came out and said it. Not a shock to me at all.
Our only shot now is for Nickels to enforce the lease. I pray every night that he will.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I just have a feeling that going after them for not putting in a “good faith effort” would be challenging. But it all depends on the letter which I don’t know that much about. But if there are no provisions/guidelines……it’ll be he said/she said. In that case I think our side loses.
Without guidelines or provisions it would be like trying to sue Burger King for not “Having it my way”. I’m not legal pro by any means, but I would think that it would be very hard to prove.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I am going to make a very rough crack at some economics of a money-making team. Suppose the salary is $63 mil this season. Add coaches & staff salaries & some promotion, mascots, airplanes, etc. Figure roughly $100 mil gross operating expense for a year (I don’t have a clue if this is a fair number… someone knowledgeable please help here. For example, what does a typical team pay on a lease). Since a non-playoff season is about 40 home games, the Sonics would have to pull in about 25,000 paid fans per game each spending $100 each to generate enough money for a nonplayoff season.
However, the median number of fans per game is about 17,550 per game (see http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance ). Furthermore, I doubt the team owners rake in $100 per game average from ticket sales and their percentage of concessions. That means there is no way an NBA team with a payroll like the Sonics can make money unless they go deep in the playoffs or sell a lot of branded merchandise. OKC is too small and the team will be too unknown to sell caps and jerseys like the NY Yankees’ baseball team.
Also, a group investing $350 mil (say$400 mil, since the owners recently had a call to put in more money) wants some kind of return, say 5% per year on their investment. That means they would want a return of about $20 mil per year on $400 mil, which is $500,000 net profit per home game in a nonplayoff season. I do not think the Oklahoma owners want to bleed mega-millions per year just to watch the Sonics play long distance in Seattle. However, profitable numbers will be even more difficult to realize in OKC, which has a smaller population base.
If Seattle presses the specific performance clause in the lease, then maybe Bennett will fold and sell to a local, rather than lose money for 3 years, then have to pay a $30 mil relocation fee to the NBA.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Bennett tries to cover McClendon’s tracks
http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/47592/20070813/owner_hoping_to_see_breakthrough_to_keep_sonics_in_seattle/
August 13th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Rock this is probably the best financial summary. Sonics total expenses were a little less than $80 million. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/32/biz_06nba_Seattle-SuperSonics_329710.html
National TV money share earns Sonics more than tickets do.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I have not read the Sonics contract, but if it has a good faith clause, it is potentially enforceable. The question is by whom would it be enforceable. Typically, the answer would be the party who contracted to sell the team, i.e., Howard Schultz’s group. It is unlikely that any party other than Schultz has standing to sue for breach of the sales contract.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
The differences in NFL revenue between teams is not due to ticket sales but corporate sponsorship and ad revenues. The same should hold true for NBA franchises. Too bad there’s no publically held team in the NBA - the Packers are legally bound to provide a lot of valuable information about NFL revenue - which in addition to the Al Davis lawsuits really helps our understanding of the kind of revenue the teams pull in.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
The best thing about this entire thing is that it has already perked the interest from the other owners/businessmen in the league (KJR’s Ian Furness) and that it is going to ultimately (and finally) get the Commish involved in this quagmire.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
The story is everywhere now.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
If OKC was such a good market then an expansion team would be appropriate. Seattle, despite the current climate, is an excellent market - why would he NBA want no team here. When it is all said and done - the NBA wants things solved in its best interest and it is not OKC for the sonics.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I now want to win this thing just as much to stick it to these okies as I do to keep my beloved Supes.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Yoon Says:
August 13th, 2007 at 11:58 am
“Waste of time. From my understanding there are no legally binding terms to “good faith effort”. Think about how vague that phrase is. It was stated that way for a reason.”
That really isn’t true. Whether or not “good faith” has been performed in a contract situation is taken very seriously by the courts and quite often the cause for breach of contract. The term itself may sound vague, but that doesn’t mean a judge or a jury won’t be asked to make a decision as to whether or not a “good faith” requirement has been met.
From what I understand by reading the Schultz interview, the “12 month good faith effort” was not a clause in the contract, so there isn’t anything to legally enforce. It was actually just in the side letter to the previous ownership, which pretty much just makes it a PR piece to allow the sell-outs to feel a tad better about themselves and to the community.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
CB et al bought the Sonics to make money and they will. Don’t buy this Will Rogers act - ah shucks boys I’m here in Seattle to use some of my pappy’s oil money so you good folks can enjoy my Supersonics - road apples. These people didn’t pony up $300+ million without having a damn good game plan.
The Presti move, and the overhaul of the roster supports my feeling that this group is more than capable.
I suspect that Aybrey’s comments are a part of the plan but not sure with what end in mind. We will just have to wait and see where this fits after the dust settles.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Long time lurker but I feel inclined to speak up in the light of current events. I saw this story reported late last night on this site and I just had to say that I’m proud of how fast you guys were able to get this into the national media not 12 hours later. Hopefully this will give us the ammo needed to keep the Sonics and Storm in the area.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
That may be true Dick. But a good faith effort still can matter when it comes to Stern and the league ok’ing abandoning this market for Booneville. If they don’t agree that all avenues have been sought out, Clay and the boys might not be allowed to just prance on over to their ranches.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Remember, Clay-Clay doesn’t have a “free pass” to move the team where ever he wishes, he still has to go through the committee. Now that they have seen that the ownership group is “just happy to have a team” and not interested in coming ahead in the deal, well they may not be interested in stamping the approval on his paperwork.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
The lease on the KeyArena is still in play til 2010 unless Clay is willing to pay to get out of it. Sonics and Storm fans should sign the Save The Sonics and Storm Petition!! Washington state leaders should be able to solve this problem. Go Sonics!!
August 13th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
“That may be true Dick. But a good faith effort still can matter when it comes to Stern and the league ok’ing abandoning this market for Booneville. If they don’t agree that all avenues have been sought out, Clay and the boys might not be allowed to just prance on over to their ranches.”
On what legal basis? Stern may very well block a move. But he doesn’t have a legal reason to do so. There is no such agreement that all avenues need to be sought out.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
On what legal basis? Stern may very well block a move. But he doesn’t have a legal reason to do so. There is no such agreement that all avenues need to be sought out.
- The only thing I would say… is that based on the comment made by the ownership group understanding that they’d make more money in Seattle…if the NBA still approves the move then there really shouldn’t be a “relocation committee” because it obviously does not have any point or power if it a team is going to move somewhere they are going to make less money for the league.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
“On what legal basis? Stern may very well block a move. But he doesn’t have a legal reason to do so.”
He’ll be able to stop the move for two more seasons based on the lease in place. That’s a legal, binding document.
If there’s an arena deal in place in this area, its not in the leagues best interest to let him walk away from more money.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I doubt Stern likes to hear the Sonic owners claiming how making money doesn’t matter and that breaking even in a smaller market is their dream. Stern can’t afford to allow the whole state of Washington to entirely boycott the NBA.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
If Stern ok’s the Okie’s going out of their way to make less money for the league, he is not doing his job.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
My comment is in response to this statement:
“But a good faith effort still can matter when it comes to Stern and the league”
I don’t agree with this part. I don’t think that matters at all.
Totally agree with myk/scotts points. But this whole idea of a “good faith” agreement doesn’t have legs to it.
Stern isn’t going to say “We deny your application for relocation because you didn’t give due dilligence to your “good faith” agreement”. The reasons mentioned above are more valid IMO.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Will Bennett and his crew still be investing millions into a new arena in the Seattle area?
Either Bennett is the Grinch in disguise or life is immitating art (Baseball movie - Major League?).
August 13th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Guarantee Presti won’t be making any trades for all-stars anytime soon. I was dreamin bout J. Oneal, but Bennett is a clock blocker.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Can’t be Major League. Rachel Phelps cut salary/talent.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Okay, so let’s assume Seattle builds a publicly financed arena and gives the Sonic owner a sweetheart deal. Under those circumstances does anyone want support Clay Bennett’s Sonic team? How do we ever trust this guy? I thing the OKC ownership group just burned their bridges. They have to either sell or move now.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
“Totally agree with myk/scotts points. But this whole idea of a “good faith” agreement doesn’t have legs to it.
Stern isn’t going to say “We deny your application for relocation because you didn’t give due dilligence to your “good faith” agreement”. The reasons mentioned above are more valid IMO. ”
You’re probably right, but it depends on what the actual purchase agreement says and also what league bylaws say regarding franchise moves … usually bylaws aren’t that strong … but I am pretty sure that as long as the lease is still in place neither Stern nor the committee will approve relocation before 2010. Bennett can’t claim at all that he made any kind of sustained effort before wanting to bolt a year later; I could see the league saying you can do whatever you want to after 2010, but if the City won’t let Bennett out of the lease I doubt the league will help him break it.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
You people here are grasping and trying to leach on to anything possible to try to justify the Sonics stay in Seattle. There’s just one HUGE problem here.
There’s a deadline that was put in place at the time of the sale. November 1st is that magic date. If no arena deal is in place then the Sonics can move with the blessing of the NBA. This was put in the purchase contract when Bennett purchased the team.
It doesn’t matter what one of the minority partners might say since Bennett is the official word and speaks for the group as a whole. McClendon is not the speaker for the group and anything he states is his opinion and wants only.
This stuff is basics 101.
Now I see some playing the good faith effort clause.
Well Duh….
I guess all those millions that Bennett and Co. put down for the Renton project is just play dough. He in fact has made way more of an effort than Mr.Bigbucks ever did. David Stern knows this and has even stated this very thing. All the other NBA owners know that Bennett has put in time and money to get something done but all he got was a big fat NOTHING from Seattle.
Deadline is Nov. 1 and if this area wants to keep the Sonics they had better put forth a reasonable arena pkg.. Bennet group already has the blessing from the NBA to move if an arena deal isn’t set.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
“If no arena deal is in place then the Sonics can move with the blessing of the NBA. This was put in the purchase contract when Bennett purchased the team.”
You’re dead wrong.
I wish I could just make shit up and consider myself smart.
What you’re talking about putting in the P&S is so blatantly illegal its pathetic.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
“Bennett can’t claim at all that he made any kind of sustained effort before wanting to bolt a year later”
I disagree. He can show all the finances that went into all of his efforts to get an arena here. He can exhibit the hiring of the PR firm. He can show the rounds and rounds of revisions that went into his plan. In our eyes that might not constitute “good faith”, but it would be sufficient in the eyes of many. After the legislature shuts you down……why go on? Our opinions of his efforts aren’t going to matter.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
There’s a deadline that was put in place at the time of the sale. November 1st is that magic date. If no arena deal is in place then the Sonics can move with the blessing of the NBA. This was put in the purchase contract when Bennett purchased the team.
- Wow…some days I think I want to teach my kids to just be stupid. It must be nice to live in a fantasy world where you can just make up whatever details you want and feel smart…
August 13th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
“I could see the league saying you can do whatever you want to after 2010, but if the City won’t let Bennett out of the lease I doubt the league will help him break it.”
My biggest fear is the domino effect.
Best case scenario: Stern says you need to honor the lease. We’ll talk in two years. The city enforces the lease. 2 years of possible prolonged agony.
Worst case: Stern oks a move in 2010. Then the city just caves and says “lets just do a buy out now then”.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
There’s a deadline that was put in place at the time of the sale. November 1st is that magic date. If no arena deal is in place then the Sonics can move with the blessing of the NBA. This was put in the purchase contract when Bennett purchased the team.
- Wow…some days I think I want to teach my kids to just be stupid. It must be nice to live in a fantasy world where you can just make up whatever details you want and feel smart…
I think you might better get the facts of this case. This was part of the purchase agreement.Bennett Group agreed to keep the Sonics in Seattle for 1 yr. and they set a date of Nov.1st before the team could apply for relocation. Mr. Stern was involved in this as well. Conditions were put in place and as far as it goes,Bennett has met his conditions. It’s all about the Nov. 1 date now. Nothing else. Try as you might you people don’t hold any power. If Seattle decides to pony up and build a new state of the art arena you have a chance to keep the Sonics. Just don’t expect the tax payers to go along with any (and I mean any) new taxes. Besides,not that many people really care about the Sonics in Seattle anyway. Go out on the streets and take a poll and you will see that the Sonics are not a priority in many peoples minds. More important things to spend tax dollars on.
Mr. Bigbucks could have sold for 75 mil. more but the San Jose group didn’t want to lock themselves into this type of deal.They wanted to move the team whenever they felt like it.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I think you might better get the facts of this case. This was part of the purchase agreement.Bennett Group agreed to keep the Sonics in Seattle for 1 yr. and they set a date of Nov.1st before the team could apply for relocation. Mr. Stern was involved in this as well. Conditions were put in place and as far as it goes,Bennett has met his conditions.
- LOL…ok please provide documentation of all of this happening. Also, please show how “applying for relocation” and moving the team are necessarily equal. Then, please show where David Stern had any involvement…Finally, please show where any of this has anything to do with not satisfying the terms of the lease.
Come quick…I’ll wait…
August 13th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
“Bennett Group agreed to keep the Sonics in Seattle for 1 yr. and they set a date of Nov.1st before the team could apply for relocation.”
But now your arguement has changed. First you said they could move, now you’re saying apply for relocation. that’s two completely different things.
No one is going to argue that they can file for relocation. The NBA’s canned answer will be ‘if you are able to negotiate yourself from the lease you signed on at purchase then we’ll discuss your possible relocation.
Remember the league won’t even hear his relocation request until March (facts are fun).
“Just don’t expect the tax payers to go along with any (and I mean any) new taxes.”
I think it all depends on location, what the idea is and whom supports it. I don’t think many will go along with additional new taxes, but extention of taxes already in place doesn’t require a public referendum unless one is called for in the language of the agreement.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Taxman,
I think you are just trolling at this point. Your information is incorrect. Kindly review the info at http://www.saveoursonics.org for specifics on the specific performance clause.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
As the entry’s title changed I sniff libel suit protection in the air…
August 13th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Leave it to the Gasman to totally stifle the fight against Clay bennett..now saying it might be worthwhile to see how much we can get bennett to give to seattle for the team.
Damnit Gas.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
“Deadline is Nov. 1 and if this area wants to keep the Sonics they had better put forth a reasonable arena pkg.. Bennet group already has the blessing from the NBA to move if an arena deal isn’t set. ”
Hilarious, because I know for a fact that’s not true … stick to the P_I boards if you have nothing to contribute, your continuous arrogant, uninformed naysaying is not welcome here.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
“Leave it to the Gasman to totally stifle the fight against Clay bennett..now saying it might be worthwhile to see how much we can get bennett to give to seattle for the team.
Damnit Gas.”
Tuned in at someone else’s recommendation… Gasman’s tired anti-Sonic bias has just earned Rich Moore another email from me. Mike’s obviously a bitter hater towards everything involving the team. I know Rich hates getting his email box flooded, so whatever you do, don’t email him at pd@kjram.com
August 13th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
“As the entry’s title changed I sniff libel suit protection in the air…”
He he he, very observant Patrick.
August 13th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
AMEN about GasMan. Talk about gloom and doom, my God, all he does is rant about how gone the franchise is and that the only hope is to get New Orleans to fail and that Bennett bailed out the NBA. Bullshit! I’m done with listening to him. Just sick of him….Groz is no better…he’s just as negative and gloomy. It’s as if they’re resigned to them leaving and just are talking about what now….since they’ve left…
August 13th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
“As the entry’s title changed I sniff libel suit protection in the air…”
He he he, very observant Patrick.
The damage has already been done. People should not call other people liars when there’s no proof. I bet his team of Lawyers is already working this case. Clay Bennett has been treated like crap from just about everyone in Seattle. I don’t blame him for staying away. Now people are calling him a liar all over the internet. It’s everywhere and I am sure it will cause him some harm somehow,maybe even dealing with a buyout.
You guys are something else and the more you do here the more it hurts the chances of the Sonics staying.
August 13th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
“You guys are something else and the more you do here the more it hurts the chances of the Sonics staying.”
Just go back wherever you came from you loser piece of shite.
August 13th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Wow, “Not a tax Fan” my only question is, “how much is the Bennett camp paying you?”
Obviously you are NOT a fan of the Sonics or the NBA, or else you would not support or condone this kind of behavior from anyone.
My next question is, “why are you here besides to cause trouble?”
August 13th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I am a fan of NO NEW TAXES and the Sonics.
I am very interested to see how Seattle will try to keep the Sonics since No New Taxes can or will be spent on a new arena. I understand that everyone would like the Sonics to stay in Seattle but IMO some people here are not helping that cause. They might think they are but they are not and they could be doing more damage than they realize.
Attacking the owner is the last thing that one should do. Calling him a liar with no foundation and spreading it all over the internet is cause for big trouble. Some of you act like Bennett should be loyal to Seattle. Bennett has no ties to this area other than the Sonics. He is in this to make money and the only way for him to do that is to get an arena built. Bennett has been nothing but truthful in his dealings with Seattle. A minority owner that isn’t the spokesman for the team can make his own feeling heard but that doesn’t mean that the rest of the group has the same opinion. Bennett truly wants a new arena built so he can sell the team at a mega profit and then go find another team for his home town of OKC. If Seattle doesn’t want to build it then he has every right to move the team. Any other owner would do the same thing. I would like to see one thing that Bennett has stated that’s a lie. Just because things don’t go the way some of you want that doesn’t give you the right to call someone a liar.
Some of you can’t see the forest for the trees.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Brian - I don’t think you’re comment about boycotting games it that off base. Pick one game that wouldn’t be all that heavily attended anyway, and advertise as a “statement” game to have fans boycott that one game. If early in the season, at least it would send a message that Seattle isn’t taking this, plus put some $$ in local businesses that depend on the Sonics.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
“You guys are something else and the more you do here the more it hurts the chances of the Sonics staying.”
You are an ignorant apologist who has absolutely no clue what you’re talking about. You have been clowned on this issue til the cows come home on the P-I boards, my only conclusion is that you are either a masochist or just a troll, or both.
“I would like to see one thing that Bennett has stated that’s a lie. Just because things don’t go the way some of you want that doesn’t give you the right to call someone a liar.”
This article has been cited about six times on the site today. Since you obviously haven’t read it I’ll link it again for you. If you don’t agree that makes Clay Bennett a liar from the beginning you must not know how to read, which given what I’ve read from you on this site and others is a definite possibility.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-27-49/Steamed-in-Seattle.html
August 13th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Clay and Aubrey are hometown heroes, just not in your hometown. Many around Seattle may think they’re shmucks; we view them as two guys that are deeply committed to Oklahoma City.
The criticism on this page is silly and misses the point: Seattle knows what it needs to do to keep the teams. The real issue is whether it will step up to the plate and do what it knows must be done to keep the teams. Don’t blame us for courting your sweethearts if Seattle treats them like dogs.
August 14th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Fred,
What makes Clay and his ownership group scumbags is not that they want OKC to have a team, but the fact that they lied to the city about their intentions (although any resonable person could see this coming). Clay’s plan was obviously to demand a completely unreasonable arena plan so that he would apear to have atempted to keep the team, when far less drastic solutions could have saved the team. Clay knew that Seattle would be unable to meet his demand and I can’t wait to laugh in OKC’s face when the team leaves you guys in 10 years.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:35 am
“Don’t blame us for courting your sweethearts if Seattle treats them like dogs.”
Dogs? Huh?
Right, 40 year of history is treating them like dogs.
This team has gone through a rough spot in the recent past. As a result, attendance has been down.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Siting numbers for attendance this past season is unfair— we were told we losing the Hornets, so the city was disheartened and many did not want to put themselves out there and lose the team—-much like Seattle.
I agree the market is not a top tier market, but why could it not become one? Evey major metro was small at some point - something spurred growth, this may be it for OKC.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Citing numbers for attendance this past season is unfair— we were told we losing the Hornets, so the city was disheartened and many did not want to put themselves out there and lose the team—-much like Seattle.
I agree the market is not a top tier market, but why could it not become one? Evey major metro was small at some point - something spurred growth, this may be it for OKC.
August 14th, 2007 at 7:24 am
“Citing numbers for attendance this past season is unfair— we were told we losing the Hornets, so the city was disheartened and many did not want to put themselves out there and lose the team—-much like Seattle.”
It’s absolutely fair. OKC was handed a team on a silver platter for two seasons, everyone knew the situation from day one. This is not something where the first year people could have put thier hearts and souls into it, then pulled back the second year because of something everyone in the situation knew.
Now the other reality of the situation is Clay and his group have absolutely guaranteed a franchise for OKC. Whether that franchise is the Sonics, the Hornets or an expansion franchise is yet to be known. I don’t have any ill will towards the people of OKC, I have a ton of ill will towards Clay Bennett because what he’s said and what he’s done are two different things. He looked me in the eye and told me he was doing everything possible, and 9 and a half months into a years ‘exhaustive’ search he’s yet to meet with the mayor of the town he’s trying to stay in. Actions speak louder than words.
My hope is that Seattle comes up with an arena solution and the NBA and Bennett come to the concensus that it would be better for all parties involved if OKC gets the expansion franchise they DESERVE (I highlight that only because its honestly how I feel and I don’t care that most on this site may not agree with the premise) with Clay and his pals as the owners. You guys stepped up to the plate when the NBA needed you.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Besides,no one on here has any right to tell the ownership group how to run their business. If you people want to call the shots then get your pennies together and come up with about 500 mil. and buy the team.Then you can do whatever you want with them. Some of you act like you are entitled to tell the owners how to run their business. Well,you are not,this goes for everyone here. So get off your soapbox and get an arena built or be quiet. Just don’t try and spend the tax payers money for your hobby.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:01 am
I wrote for luck
They sent me you
I sent for juice
You gave me poison
I order a line
You form a queue
Try anything hard
Is there anything else you can do
Well not much
I know, I’ve been trained
I can sit and stand
And beg and roll over
I don’t read
I just guess
There’s more than one sign
But it’s getting less
And you were wet
But you had a dryer
You used to speak the truth
But now you’re liar
You used to speak the truth
But now you’re clever
And I wrote for luck
And they sent me you
And I sent for juice
You gave me poison
I order a line
You form a queue
Try anything hard
Is there anything else you can do
And you were wet
But you had a dryer
You used to speak the truth
But now you’re clever
You used to speak the truth
But now you’re clever
And when it’s hot
You start to melt
‘Cos you’re not made of cheese
You’re made of chocolate
And when it’s cold
You tend to crack
You keep on piling out
Not putting back
August 14th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Not a tax fan=AK1984?
August 14th, 2007 at 10:26 am
I will admit that it was insane for the Hornets to move back to New Orleans. There is no way they will be able to keep them.
August 14th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
It seems unlikely that the Hornets will succeed in NO. In three years they will be looking for a new home. If we build an arena we probably will get a replacement team at some point. IMO, we should build the arena with public funds. The Sonics may move to OKC. We land an NHL team and later add an NBA team.
Bennett, has pretty much burned his bridges. He will operate the team here for 1 to 3 years. He will lose big bucks each year due to lack of attendance. If he were to stay his credibility is zero so he better look for someone to sell to. His main mistake was not including any local partners to reassure everyone he was sincere about staying in Seattle.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Let’s worry about keeping the Sonics here first Sports Fan. The reality is if they leave it’ll be another 30 years before we land another NBA team.
People will be turned off to the NBA if the BOG is inlclined to turn its back on 40 years of history.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Bennett is a retard. What is he trying to do? Set us up? This team belongs in Seattle, I don’t have time for any Oaklahoma garbage.
August 14th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
There’s only one way that the Sonics are staying here and that’s if a new arena gets built. A solid deal must be in place by Nov. 1st or this group can and will and has every right to move the team if they chose to. The big problem in getting an arena pkg. together is that the tax payers will never approve spending tax dollars on a new arena for the Sonics.
The Bennett group can move to OKC and get a new state of the art arena built there without much resistance. The people of that city hasn’t had to pay for several sports projects like Seattle has so they will gladly approve an arena. Bennett can get a real sweetheart lease and make much more money than he is in Seattle at this time.
I read that the OKC metro has aprox. 1.35 mil. so it’s about the size of Memphis but I also hear that OKC is growing at a much better rate. So in 10 years that market will most likely have not only an NBA team but prob. an NFL team also. Bennett is no fool and he see’ the future of a franchise in a city where no other Pro. team is there to compete with. Add that to the tax payers willing to pony up and you have a winning combination. Much like in Seattle when the Sonics came to town.
Build it and they will stay but please do not ask the tax payers to pay the price again. Been there done that.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Not a tax fan. Do you masquerade as dubya/apostle on the P-I’s website?
OKC’s metro population is about 1.25 mill. Memphis has about 35K more. Their growth rate is similar 6.9% for OKC. 5.8% for Memphis.
Memphis and New Orleans (smaller becuase of Katrina) are both losing money. Why would OKC be more succeessful?
Las Vegas, Austin Texas and Raleigh North Carolina are better NBA candidates. They’re larger cities with double digit growth rates.
http://www.demographia.com/db-metmic2004.pdf
August 14th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
“Not a tax fan. Do you masquerade as dubya/apostle on the P-I’s website?”
He can’t be dubya. Dubya is a misnomer because he definitely despises the real person with that name that lives in the White House and has all indications of a tax lover, as long as it doesn’t benefit rich people.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:51 am
[...] usting, and closed-minded? Stuff like this is what makes them so. Because as I believe was first pointed out on SonicsCentral, Clay Bennett’s friend and Sonic co-owner, Aubrey McClendon has be [...]
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:06 pm
bennett wont take any deal WA officials offer him. hes got the best excuse to relocate the sonics: key arena is not viable for him financially. this is going to be complex. im sure WA officials know bennetts intent, maybe that is why they did not offer him any good site/tax relief in a new venue. the prior owner should have made sure he had a clause not to remove the sonics from seattle. i hope the sonics stay. i hope the city sues bennett from every conceivable angle. make him lose money. doesnt bellevue square belong to him? people should stop shopping at it. boycot him. he can take all his money to oklahoma city.
March 29th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I´m lived in Chile but i was borned in Seattle and the sonics had been my team since i can remember, the team has to be there when i return.