Write Letters to the Legislature
Posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 11:57 am by admin
Inspired by the new “Bring Back The Seattle SuperSonics” Facebook group’s rapid momentum, Joshua Bell put in some serious legwork and compiled a list of every e-mail address in the Washington State Legislature. For the sake of keeping this shorter, I have posted these lists as the first two comments in this section. Here is the letter that Joshua wrote as an example, so feel free to copy/paste and tweak to your liking:
IMPORTANT UPDATE: I just had a conversation with a House Rep who said he has recieved lots of these mass emails from people, which is a good thing and a bad thing. He said that these mass frustration emails are ineffective and don’t mean much since they are sent to everyone in the legislature. He said a better and more effective method is to write these emails/letters to your specific legislator in your district, and make sure you sign them with your full name and address.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing you this letter out of great frustration. Since the departure of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, the City of Seattle has gained a certain cankerous emptiness.
Businesses in the Lower Queen Anne continue to suffer, and the Seattle Center is grossly under populated. What was once a source of great cultural and regional pride has declined into a black hole of decay.
The centerpiece and crown jewel of that once great landmark, Key Arena, is now backsliding into oblivion. A once proud building that used to host the Seattle SuperSonics and other professional events continues to lose valuable tenants and replace them with less equitable leases.
Steve Ballmer, Jim Sinegal and a host of other valuable Seattle figures are ready to bring a team, that should have never left, back (though it will not be the original) to this ONCE great city. SB 6116 had everything that was necessary to revitalize the Key, and the surrounding attractions at Seattle Center, yet it was shot down in the state legislature.
In these economic times, we cannot afford to squander the opportunity to revitalize a publicly-owned facility using Steve Ballmer’s generous $150 million private contribution.
Now for a far greater price tag, there is a proposal on the table to revamp just Memorial Stadium. This City and State needs to drop old grudges, whatever they may be, and get their collective acts together. This State, THESE people need our team (even if relocated team that will be renamed the Sonics) back.
It is my opinion that by letting the Sonics be stolen that most, if not all politicians, violated their post. Perhaps you, and all others who receive this message, will finally awake from your toxic slumber and begin to serve your communities once again.
Please do what is right and get to work on bringing the Sonics back. There must be both a political and business effort to return 41 years of tradition to the Northwest. The business end is waiting in the wings for your support. You will hear from me in some way, every day of my natural life until action is taken. That is a promise.
Sincerely,
(insert name here)
December 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Washington State Senate:
becker.randi@leg.wa.gov
benton.don@leg.wa.gov
berkey.jean@leg.wa.gov
brandland.dale@leg.wa.gov
brown.lisa@leg.wa.gov
carrell.michael@leg.wa.gov
delvin.jerome@leg.wa.gov
eide.tracey@leg.wa.gov
fairley.darlene@leg.wa.gov
franklin.rosa@leg.wa.gov
fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov
hargrove.jim@leg.wa.gov
hatfield.brian@leg.wa.gov
haugen.marymargaret@leg.wa.gov
hewitt.mike@leg.wa.gov
hobbs.steve@leg.wa.gov
holmquist.janea@leg.wa.gov
honeyford.jim@leg.wa.gov
jacobsen.ken@leg.wa.gov
jarrett.fred@leg.wa.gov
kastama.jim@leg.wa.gov
kauffman.claudia@leg.wa.gov
keiser.karen@leg.wa.
kilmer.derek@leg.wa.gov
king.curtis@leg.wa.gov
kline.adam@leg.wa.gov
kohl-welles.jeanne@leg.wa.gov
marr.chris@leg.wa.gov
mcauliffe.rosemary@leg.wa.gov
mccaslin.bob@leg.wa.gov
mcdermott.joe@leg.wa.gov
morton.bob@leg.wa.gov
murray.edward@leg.wa.gov
oemig.eric@leg.wa.gov
parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov
pflug.cheryl@leg.wa.gov
prentice.margarita@leg.wa.gov
pridemore.craig@leg.wa.gov
ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov
regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov
roach.pam@leg.wa.gov
rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov
schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov
sheldon.timothy@leg.wa.gov
shin.paull@leg.wa.gov
stevens.val@leg.wa.gov
swecker.dan@leg.wa.gov
tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov
zarelli.joseph@leg.wa.gov
December 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Washington State House:
alexander.gary@leg.wa.gov
anderson.glenn@leg.wa.gov
angel.jan@leg.wa.gov
appleton.sherry@leg.wa.gov
armstrong.mike@leg.wa.gov
bailey.barbara@leg.wa.gov
blake.brian@leg.wa.gov
campbell.tom@leg.wa.gov
carlyle.reuven@leg.wa.gov
chandler.bruce@leg.wa.gov
chase.maralyn@leg.wa.gov
chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov
clibborn.judy@leg.wa.gov
cody.eileen@leg.wa.gov
condotta.cary@leg.wa.gov
conway.steve@leg.wa.gov
crouse.larry@leg.wa.gov
dammeier.bruce@leg.wa.gov
darneille.j@leg.wa.gov
debolt.richard@leg.wa.gov
dickerson.marylou@leg.wa.gov
driscoll.john@leg.wa.gov
dunshee.hans@leg.wa.gov
eddy.deborah@leg.wa.gov
ericks.mark@leg.wa.gov
ericksen.doug@leg.wa.gov
fagan.susan@leg.wa.gov
finn.fred@leg.wa.gov
flannigan.dennis@leg.wa.gov
goodman.roger@leg.wa.gov
green.tami@leg.wa.gov
haigh.kathy@leg.wa.gov
haler.larry@leg.wa.gov
hasegawa.bob@leg.wa.gov
herrera.jaime@leg.wa.gov
hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov
hope.mike@leg.wa.gov
hunt.sam@leg.wa.gov
hunter.ross@leg.wa.gov
hurst.christopher@leg.wa.gov
jacks.jim@leg.wa.gov
johnson.norm@leg.wa.gov
kagi.ruth@leg.wa.gov
kelley.troy@leg.wa.gov
kenney.phyllis@leg.wa.gov
kessler.lynn@leg.wa.gov
kirby.steve@leg.wa.gov
klippert.brad@leg.wa.gov
kretz.joel@leg.wa.gov
kristiansen.dan@leg.wa.gov
liias.marko@leg.wa.gov
linville.kelli@leg.wa.gov
maxwell.marcie@leg.wa.gov
mccoy.john@leg.wa.gov
mccune.jim@leg.wa.gov
miloscia.mark@leg.wa.gov
moeller.jim@leg.wa.gov
morrell.dawn@leg.wa.gov
morris.jeff@leg.wa.gov
nealey.terry@leg.wa.gov
nelson.sharon@leg.wa.gov
obrien.al@leg.wa.gov
orcutt.ed@leg.wa.gov
ormsby.timm@leg.wa.gov
orwall.tina@leg.wa.gov
parker.kevin@leg.wa.gov
pearson.kirk@leg.wa.gov
pedersen.jamie@leg.wa.gov
pettigrew.eric@leg.wa.gov
priest.skip@leg.wa.gov
probst.tim@leg.wa.gov
quall.dave@leg.wa.gov
roach.dan@leg.wa.gov
roberts.maryhelen@leg.wa.gov
rodne.jay@leg.wa.gov
rolfes.christine@leg.wa.gov
ross.charles@leg.wa.gov
santos.sharontomiko@leg.wa.gov
schmick.joe@leg.wa.gov
seaquist.larry@leg.wa.gov
sells.mike@leg.wa.gov
shea.matt@leg.wa.gov
short.shelly@leg.wa.gov
simpson.geoff@leg.wa.gov
smith.norma@leg.wa.gov
springer.larry@leg.wa.gov
sullivan.pat@leg.wa.gov
takko.dean@leg.wa.gov
taylor.david@leg.wa.gov
upthegrove.dave@leg.wa.gov
vandewege.kevin@leg.wa.gov
wallace.deb@leg.wa.gov
walsh.maureen@leg.wa.gov
warnick.judy@leg.wa.gov
white.scott@leg.wa.gov
williams.brendan@leg.wa.gov
wood.alex@leg.wa.gov
December 14th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Guys, copy and paste these addresses “en-mass” to the email and save it with the accompanying letter that you write/attach. That way, all we have to do is hit send once a day, or once a week…or whatever. If we can get 27,000 emails sent out to each politician in one of the above time durations listed…you are gonna see some reaction and attention to our cause.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I’ve also gotten a few “Out of Office” responses. Does that mean that inbox rejects the letter, or is it just a notification that they won’t be reviewing it until they get back?
December 14th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Means they’ll get it when they get back. You’ll get a rejection if it says it does not take.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Could we also get city and county emails too?
December 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Not intended as criticism, this is just my own opinion-
The state is not going to react enough to appeals about tradition or Lower Queen Anne business.
I’d pitch Jobs, Jobs, Jobs -for the whole city, the whole region and the State. If they re-do the Key or build a new facility it probably should at least co-ordinate with the Convention Center and the push for more Convention business, more event business. Whether it has to be a joint funding deal I haven’t paid close enough attention lately but it is probably a few years off anyways.
For me no Ballmer rumor means squat. If and when he buys a team, that is the only news I will play attention to.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
If Balmer wants a team the best bet are the Griz in about 5 years.
If he doesn’t buy them then he wasn’t serious.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
If he is really hot for a team make the Maloofs’ an offer they can’t refuse.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I’ll send something like this, however,
this failed more than once already when we already had a team
and
I don’t want to contact them every day of my natural life until action is taken
December 14th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
First of all, I don’t care what hasn’t worked in the past. We have 27,000+ people on that thing, and whether or not I am naive’ for trying is a mute point. It is not in my DNA to quit, perhaps it is in yours, but not mine.
Second, amend the letter to what you feel it should say. The whole point of it is to help those who honestly might not want to put out the effort to write their own in full, or might now know what to say. I think the whole point here is to BE HEARD.
Lastly, for those of you who are going to put out more of an effort nay-saying than actually contributing, save your keystrokes and your bad attitudes, and find something else to do.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Oh, and Kev, yeah totally, man! I sent those to Adam as well.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I’ve written probably 50 letters in the past. I probably won’t be writing more, especially without a clearcut public official leading the charge. And even then it isn’t my really my cause anymore. I may not be writing here any more either but I put in a few more brief thoughts because I wanted to.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
The 50 letter count was unique letters to specific leaders. I sent out a few broad letters to everybody as well and it might help / doesn’t hurt but I do think there has to be a clear leader found to change the past dynamic. But good luck.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Joshu@, I didn’t hear your point. It was mute.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
another important point for the State audience is:
“In these economic times, we cannot afford to squander the opportunity to revitalize a publically owned facility using Steve Ballmer’s generous $150 million private contribution.”
December 14th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
richard.conlin@seattle.gov
tim.burgess@seattle.gov
sally.clark@seattle.gov
jan.drago@seattle.gov
jean.godden@seattle.gov
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
nick.licata@seattle.gov
richard.mciver@seattle.gov
tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov
KING COUNTY COUNCIL
bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov
julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov
jane.hague@kingcounty.gov
pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov
reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov
dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov
December 14th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
“The 50 letter count was unique letters to specific leaders. I sent out a few broad letters to everybody as well and it might help / doesn’t hurt but I do think there has to be a clear leader found to change the past dynamic. But good luck.”
Yeah, I totally understand, and I hope no offense was taken. I am a very aggressive, passionate person, and when I get behind something, I tend to “ramp it up”.
Also, I agree 100%, we need a figurehead on the political level. I think that should be Dow or Mayor McGinn, but who knows. I just can’t watch things go on and not do something.
Adam, nice quote…hadn’t heard that one yet.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Also, Kev will have a better breakdown of this than I have. But with the league headed for a very disgusting standoff, I think you are going to see the Griz actually available sooner.
Though there is a monster between the team and the building they are in, the team continues to lose horrendous amounts of coin and attendance. Everyone involved is going to want out, especially when there is a work stoppage. Heisley will want to be rid of the investment he made in the Griz, the City will want a more useful tenant, and the League is not going to want to let a team and lease that was personally done by one of it’s exec’s be a black eye on things. I think if Ballmer wants the Griz, they will be available for 2012.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Actually one public leader won’t cut it. Vonreichbauer probably should try to ally with the new Mayor- or in lieu of that if necessary Drago or someone else- and at least one Rep. and a Senator and they should work as a committed group that mets or conference calls or e-mails regularly- probably for years and recruits others to be full-fledged partners in the effort. Willingness to vote on something if and when it ever gets presented is the last step. Public leaders is a primary step before that.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I appreciate the feedback Joshua and while I felt a desire to say what I said just in case I understand what you were trying to say.
If Vonreichbauer gets along with or at least can communicate effectively with Dow (and I have no sense of this) and Dow can get in the sandwich between him the Seattle Mayor that would be ideal.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I don’t know what Ballmer is doing behind the scenes but I am still surprised he has no one in the public I know of keeping the arena issue visible or urgent. I assume he is waiting long-term, probably for not only a team and a building but also for the all important David Stern blessing.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Just got contact info for the Mayor
Marty.Brown@gov.wa.gov
December 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I’m sorry, for the Governor….amend that.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
“I don’t know what Ballmer is doing behind the scenes but I am still surprised he has no one in the public I know of keeping the arena issue visible or urgent. I assume he is waiting long-term, probably for not only a team and a building but also for the all important David Stern blessing.”
They only want to be collaborators. From talking to someone other than Brian, I am hearing that he is still interested, but those statements are always just about as credible as speculation.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
If you planned a blatant David Stern strategy I’d think you’d want to least consider adding a Chinese or Indo-American or Chinese or Indian national billionaire as a minority partner to the Ballmer group.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Or to be thorough and specific a Chinese or Indo-Canadian billionaire.
Does Steve Nash know any of these various types of billionaires already? Wheter he does or not, and it is too early, but maybe someday somebody contacts him to be involved.
You want another name David Stern might want involved in the league long-term or give a second or longer look to a group he was involved with and he’d be it.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Get Paul Allen - and his sister- involved here- as a property developer? Get Nash involved with the Sonics and possibly the Sounders? Elaborate yes, far-fetched maybe. But it will take creative to get enough momentum and sway.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
With the Sounders success at Qwest field I’d think the B2 indoor/outdoor arena idea is passe, as if it ever was realistic.
Not sure how strong the ties between the Convention center and an arenas really are but if you tried for a dualie it would be that. To try to be the biggest / best / most complete in offerings in the west outside LA or even including them.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
The Governor, Mayor and Paul Allen were all hot to be bigger or biggest fishes in Bio-Tech and they haven’t made that much headway. They probably have pretty good prospects of being bigger fishes in Meetings / Events. It isn’t as flashy I guess and given geographic location there may be more limitations than I am aware of but it seems more realistic and builds on existing strengths and might be acceptable to a good share of the community. The broad hospitality industry really needs to step up if this is to happen.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
My thought is Ballmer is waiting until the dec. 31 deadline passes to see how everything falls out in terms of the previous law-suit settlement. Once it is clear what Clay B. has to pay - or not has to pay based on Olympia providing funding or not - etc. etc. …. then if anything can happen it will begin to move. Things just need to clear up first …. I see no way Olympia will do anything to help this cause and provide any money for a Key Arena makeover - nothing. That is a dead issue for them. Just my perspective - that is over.
Come 2010 ….. things open up alot because options beyond KEY arena become more viable and private efforts could become more viable. If Ballmer wants to make it happen he can - he has the deep pockets and connects etc. - It just depends on how badly he wants to do it or not - and if he is willing to take the risk that he might lose a bunch of money on the whole deal or not.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
“Also, I agree 100%, we need a figurehead on the political level. I think that should be Dow or Mayor McGinn, but who knows”
Don’t hold your breath waiting for it to be either one of those two chuckleheads. Nothing’s going to happen before 2012.
“Not sure how strong the ties between the Convention center and an arenas really are but if you tried for a dualie it would be that. To try to be the biggest / best / most complete in offerings in the west outside LA or even including them.”
Excellent idea (tying arena + convention center).
Any political solution involving Seattle Center is DOA.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
If Seattle Center isn’t the site (I’m not going to try to say yea or nay) then I mentioned Paul Allen as someone who might have the urban acres for a big building and associated complex or have the ability to assemble it.
I mention Allen and maybe I shouldn’t. I don’t know if he and Ballmer get along or would want to work together on these things.
But there is a way you could see Ballmer, Allen, Gates (the Gates Foundation work), Microsoft all wanting Seattle to be a even more prominent world-city (has it slipped a bit? compared to the previous rise or expectation of further rise?). Having the best meeting space- the most networked and most “experience’ heightened and greenest -could offer synergies, spin-off benefits. If you thought you could get beyond WTO issues. If you wanted to, thought you should.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I received one response so far to my email to the house and senate. Here is the email.
Mark,
I’m in agreement with you and had hoped and worked hard to have a special session convened but it hasn’t happened and mist likely will not happen. It’s up to the governor (contact is Marty.Brown@gov.wa.gov) and Speaker Frank Chopp and Sen. Majority Leader Lisa Brown.
Jeanne
Sent from my iPhone
Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Chair, Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee 36th Legislative District Washington State Senate
Tel: (360) 786-7670
District: (206) 281-6854
December 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Paul Allen can’t do anything to help Seattle get a team outside of voting yes for expansion or relocation.
If he did it would a huge conflict of interest with the team he owns in Portland.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I am slinging this stuff out there today, perhaps for the last time, and this one is certainly far-fetched or a non-starter but what if you built the new indoor mega-arena (and perhaps some “convention center” related space) over the current Husky football stadium and had the football team use Qwest field? that would be an alternate version of a B2=like siting. I know the football fans and the immediate neighbors wouldn’t go for it. I am sure folks would complain about traffic but they already do in the day and they will anywhere. But the UW would be a event producer / user / useful tie-in for many professional groups and they at least have some parking not as used at night.
Maybe I’ll stop there. Those are my attempts at being constructive or at least outside the box. Others might be needed.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Paul Allen, citizen of the Seattle area, could help as a land-owner, property developer (and even university patron). If he wanted to overlook the conflict of interest with his Portland interests nobody else is being hurt.
Not quite the same but AEG has interests in multiple cities.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
The last idea has the advantage of offering “savings” or reduced competition for dollars for another football stadium.
Ideally, from a frugal on expenditures perspective or at least mine, the UW could have thrown in earlier support on a shared basketball arena too before building a small one of their own (especially if they wanted to be a national powerhouse).
But not up to me.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
If you did build the new arena elsewhere you probably should look further at making Key Arena partitionable, more multi-use friendly. And really you could try to move Seattle Center into an more active, copperative partner of the Convention Center and maybe you could even use the Memorial Stadium site as part of the answer for the need for more meeting space for that jobs-creating business sector.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Just sent the letter (plus a personal note to Nick Licata) to the whole of the city and county council and posted a link to this thread on the Facebook page.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
BRING BACK MY SONICS!!!!! It’s like the NBA and this city took a part of me and threw it in the trash. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?!?!?!? With a lame excuse saying that it needed renovations. But it’s good enough for the Storm and Seattle U. This city is hurting and we need medication. BRING BACK THE SUPERSONICS!!!!
December 14th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Off to sonicsgate tonight.Get fired up to bring back the sonics.Will return tonight to write to all appropriate legs.how can you just throw away 41 years!!!
Our town Our team
Thanks all
Mark
December 14th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
27,000 members in 3 days on that Facebook group is a potentially useful talking point with legislators and the media. Congrats.
Congrats also for Sonicsgate.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Readers Choice Awards
Help The Seattle Times mark another decade in Seattle sports by voting for your favorite moments, teams, heroes and villains in the past ten years. Results will appear in the Dec. 27 paper. Voting ends Dec. 20.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reader_feedback/public/display.php?source_name=mbase&source_id=2010494533
Anyone have anything to say?
December 14th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Thanks for the link Fed Up! The Sonics options should win but I can see the Mariners options winning in this stupid sports town.
December 15th, 2009 at 1:02 am
I voted sonics for everything I could except for best sports moment. Had to vote for the Storm title. That night ruled. Being in the building and getting home in time to listen to the Supes first pre-season game on tape delay. Fell asleep to that. TWo years of never-ending pro ball. 03-04 NBA season, 04 wnba season, olympic break, storm title and capped with the Sonics going 52-30. Plus the Huskies were pretty damn good that year to. best year for basketball in this cities history! hard to believe that was so recent. It seems like a lifetime ago.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:07 am
I guess the link really is http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2010494533_readerchoiceaward.html
December 15th, 2009 at 3:22 am
“I voted sonics for everything I could except for best sports moment. Had to vote for the Storm title.”
Riiight. Do you remember where you were when Edgar hit the double? I do. How about when GP got in Jordan’s face during the ‘96 Finals? I was 9 but I remember it like it was yesterday. But ask me where I was when the Storm won the WNBA title? No clue. I have nothing against women’s basketball, but there’s no way in hell the Storm carry as much influence in this city as one of the major sports teams. Sorry to be an ass, but I couldn’t let you get away with that one.
As for the Sonics and the prospects of Ballmer buying the Grizzlies and moving them to Seattle, I can’t say I could support it. How hypocritical would it be of all of us to applaud something like that happening when we were the victims of that exact same situation less than 2 seasons ago? Is our memory really that short?
It sucks anyway you look at it. The more I realize that a situation like this would be inevitable in getting another team, and the more I realize how I could never switch my allegiances to another NBA city (I’m a little ashamed to say, but I’ve given it a shot with Portland. Just doesn’t work.), the clearer it becomes that being a pro basketball fan in Seattle has been ruined.
December 15th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
It’s still alive, guys…let’s go, keep it going.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I think one stigma we have to step away from, is the idea that we will be doing the same thing to someone else that was done to us.
That simply will not be the case. If you guys would like to have that discussion we can have that discussion…
December 15th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
“As for the Sonics and the prospects of Ballmer buying the Grizzlies and moving them to Seattle, I can’t say I could support it. How hypocritical would it be of all of us to applaud something like that happening when we were the victims of that exact same situation less than 2 seasons ago? Is our memory really that short?”
Well then your basically saying you don’t want a team here again. Because this is going to be the most likely scenario. With the CBA coming to an end and the current economy there aren’t going to be any expansion franchises in the near future.
I’d feel for any fans losing its team. But in the end its a business. We know how that feels.
Its also a little different when you go in saying you are going to move the team from day one. Owner X is buying this team with the intention of moving it to Seattle. If there are any hold ups or factors making it hard to move……..no more buyer/no sale. We were put through a lame duck season and lied too. Huge difference.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Not to mention the attendance and support issue will actually be relevant in most cases of these teams. Look at the attendance and market numbers of the Sonics leading up to the sale, and even post-sale of the Sonics. Almost double what the situations are now with most of the franchises that will be for sale.
Don’t forget also, with the CBA ending, and all the factors involved…you are probably going to see a work stoppage. Depending on how the work stoppage is, it could cripple some franchises and send them into dissolution. At that point, Ballmer stepping in would not be the villain. It would be the League, it’s business model that created the fragile state that team was in, and it’s enforced ockout that was the death blow to the franchise. Very much different guys.
That and I hope there wouldn’t be Seattle fans trolling those potential teams message boards and sites like the Okies did.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I think we all know that people here in Seattle would not support a sleazy, underhanded relocation process like the Okies did with Bennett. I doubt the Ballmer group would sink to that level, but even if they did, the fans and media here would not back him up.
Still, even a relocation done honestly would feel pretty wrong to me. I realize that this would probably mean Seattle would not have a team for a long time. As much as that would suck, I feel the same way Sherman Alexie does—I don’t think I could enjoy a team that came at the expense of heart-broken, disillusioned fans somewhere else.
I also don’t buy the argument that the Grizzlies moving to Seattle would mean that we were “redeeming” the team for the Northwest. If they moved back to Vancouver that would be one thing, but Seattle is not Vancouver. There’s 120 miles and an international border separating the two cities.
As much as I hate not having the NBA here … I hate even more the idea of Seattle becoming a shameless vulture town like OKC.
Another question is what the reaction here would be if the NBA did come back. Would fans here re-embrace the league—or would it be like another Charlotte?
December 15th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
“That and I hope there wouldn’t be Seattle fans trolling those potential teams message boards and sites like the Okies did.”
There may be a few knuckleheads from Seattle doing that, but nowhere near the extent that the Okies did with us. I think if the team had moved to a real city like San Diego or Kansas City, fans in those places would have been way classier about it than the Okies were.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Would the typical Sonics fan have felt better if Schultz had sold to the San Jose group and then that group announced the intention to immediately begin lease termination negotiations? Maybe the Durant lovers would’ve felt better because they never would’ve had him in the first place.
Apparently some folks get hung up on the process. To me it is simple cause and effect.
Cause: Team sold to out-of-staters.
Effect: Today we have no team.
The bottom line is all that really matters right now to we the fan, isn’t it?
So Joshua, you go right ahead and convince yourself that Ballmer buying a team from another market is some sort of noble deed. It’s hogwash.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
i would take any team here at this point, but the Griz are the ONE franchise i would not have ANY guilt about stealing.
1. they were stolen from the Northwest in the first place.
2. they have no history there, not even a single playoff win.
3. their city doesn’t really care about the NBA, only Conference USA and the Memphis Tigers. from what i’ve heard, the sports fans there are actually pissed that the Griz have priority dates over the Tigers at that arena and want them gone.
would some people be hurt and mad? sure. but this is the only one that would really make sense. New Orleans is similar but the Katrina thing makes that taboo.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
“It sucks anyway you look at it. The more I realize that a situation like this would be inevitable in getting another team, and the more I realize how I could never switch my allegiances to another NBA city (I’m a little ashamed to say, but I’ve given it a shot with Portland. Just doesn’t work.), the clearer it becomes that being a pro basketball fan in Seattle has been ruined.”
That’s how I feel often, too. And that makes me pretty depressed, because the NBA has been my favorite sports league since I was a little kid.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
“So Joshua, you go right ahead and convince yourself that Ballmer buying a team from another market is some sort of noble deed. It’s hogwash.”
If a team goes under, then the fans of that market lose the team regardless. There is honestly that potential right now…it’s that bad. I said that Ballmer would not be the villain, which would be true. In our case, the Sonics would have done fine here. Different story.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
RE: San Jose — The Movie wouldn’t be as good if that happened!! hahaha
December 15th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
They had an article in the paper today with an interview with ex mayor McFatty nd they asked him his reaction to the Sonics he said “I am dissappointed but there really wasn’t much public support.” I was sooooo mad when I read that how dare he say that. If he was around me at that time when I read that I may have attacked him I was that mad. How dare he say that. If we ever do get another team he should be banned from ever going to a game, o I forgot he said he only attended one game. WORST MAYOR THIS CITY HAS EVER HAD!!
December 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
“Would the typical Sonics fan have felt better if Schultz had sold to the San Jose group and then that group announced the intention to immediately begin lease termination negotiations?”
It would feel the same. But I wouldn’t have wasted as much time and effort knowing it was a done deal right from the start.
“There may be a few knuckleheads from Seattle doing that, but nowhere near the extent that the Okies did with us. I think if the team had moved to a real city like San Diego or Kansas City, fans in those places would have been way classier about it than the Okies were.”
Pure speculation. There are a-holes in every city in America. Okies are just easier to make fun of due to the hick factor. I’m not going to blame a city or its people for wanting a team, because thats exactly what we want.
December 15th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4746257
always interesting to see news about how an NBA arena gets funded…something in which Seattle should pay attention. i’m thinking most likely in our case the existing $150m Ballmer/Senegal money would need to find additional private investment. the politics are too polluted in this city/state regarding key arena to get something done.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Looks like, by Mark’s email that Jeanne is reponding to us all with the same misspelled “mist” email.
Xteve is right about McGinn, not so sure about Dow. The county will be working the legislature for any kind of funding, though they may just get taxing utilities and call it a day.
The city is picking up a few things where they were partners with the county, it is all rolling down hill from the state, and the county has no means to pick up the slack.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I do see the point about the Grizzlies needing to be bailed out by the league, and Ballmer stepping up and buying them at that point. I could live with that.
I also agree with the fact that the Grizzlies haven’t been a part of the culture of Memphis for 40 years plays a big role in it as well.
I think Ballmer could definitely do it, and the points you guys made have changed my view on it a little. I’m still just a little weary of supporting a similar situation as to what happened to us. Because Adam, whatever you ‘hear’ from your friends in Memphis about them not caring, you know that there are a good amount of Grizzlies fans in Memphis that would care.
I think Seattle has great fans and all, but all you have to do is read the wall posts for that new Facebook group and you can tell there are a lot of people who are uneducated about the entire Sonics situation who get on there and spew ignorance. I realize they are still pissed about it all and about those asshole fans from OKC who found it fun to kick us when we were down, but I don’t think all Thunder fans are like that.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Absolutely Bobby, not all OKC people are like that. However, I have rarely heard of a time when a group of people from another city flamed their “opponent’s” (for lack of a better phrase) major newspaper message board for a major team like the Sonics, to the point that it had to be shut down for maintenance. To do so in the heat of the moment was a very unintelligent thing to do for those who thought it wise. The emotional intensity that surfaced from events like that made it difficult to exact “case-by-case” judgment on each individual OKC citizen to which we came in contact with.
Not to mention, like I tell a lot of Okie posters I come across…Clay Bennett is the one to which a majority of our anger is affixed. He is 1. from OKC, and 2. Not as accessible as they, the posters are. So naturally with all those factors involved, the perception is going to remain to some extent.
As far as what Adam was talking about…as much as I don’t like to rely on word of mouth for stuff like that. And for as much as I hate calling into question the “support” of a fan base, the numbers tell the story.(especially when I know what it feels like to be accused of such, when it is not true)
Memphis Grizzlies attendance is 6,879, and from Michael Heisley statements, we know he is only making 4 or 5 million a year from the market…which I would venture to say is probably just about last in the league. Going off of those numbers, and seeing as how they seem to be a growing trend, Adams statements about the word he is hearing off the street in Memphis are more than likely true.
There is just about nothing similar to our situation and what could happen in Memphis.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Any out-of-town buyer would also have to pay off the debt service on FedExForum, a number that doesn’t dip below $100 million until 2015. And the buyer would have to pay back FedEx for a portion of the naming rights.
http://m.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/29/grizzlies-are-not-leaving/
100 million in 2015, or sooner if the cost of staying is anywhere near a higher buyout.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
We’re gonna hit 32,000 tonight.
December 16th, 2009 at 12:18 am
32,000 has come and gone! 33,000 before tomorrow morning for sure! Lets keep writing letters and get as much publicity out of this as possibel. Maybe a tie-in story to hype the last night of Sonicsgate at SiFF. I already sent a message to Percy allen about the group. Can somebody else do the same so he sees a reason to publish something about. I think he is a verry important person to our cause.
December 16th, 2009 at 6:34 am
D-sport - where is that article with McFatty you saw?
December 16th, 2009 at 8:04 am
First of all, I really don’t care what the debt is. That really isn’t the defining factor at this point.
1. Howard Eisley wants to sell, and in all fairness, I would too. CBSSportsline is showing figures of attendance in the 6,000’s. Not to mention, like has already been mentioned plenty of times…the market really is dismal.
2. Regardless of how much “debt service” there is. You can’t receive any money from an entity that isn’t making anything. Not to mention, it is probably going to cost more over the duration of the lease to have them on the thing, than to find a more equitable tenant.
3. If there is one thing I don’t trust, it’s the word of the NBA front office…any of them. Memphis is Joel’s baby, however, I highly doubt he is gonna want an albatross on his record. In the end, he brokered the deal to make the lease happen, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get the Grizz in a more equitable position, provided the league goes to Defcon 1.
Obviously the “naming rights” would have to be payed off in full, as a municipality is more flexible than a corporation, but I can’t imagine the rights being too spendy. In the end, I am just learning that there really is no guarantee or “norm” that stays efficacious during such a moment or instance of absolute retrograde as we are seeing (or are going to see) in the NBA.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am
@crazy7 are you Russell the creator of the facebook group? we have contacts with all those media guys so let’s strategize how we can maximize the effort. send an email to info@sonicsgate.org.
Sonicsgate will have a tent out front of Qwest Field before this Sunday’s Seahawks game! Next to Elysian Fields right across from the main Qwest entrance. We’ll be selling Sonicsgate merch and giving away free DVDs with every poster and shirt order. Come by and shotgun a beer with us!
December 16th, 2009 at 11:48 am
“not all OKC people are like that. However, I have rarely heard of a time when a group of people from another city flamed their “opponent’s” (for lack of a better phrase) major newspaper message board for a major team like the Sonics, to the point that it had to be shut down for maintenance.”
The internet and message boards were not as significant back then. Possibly non existent. The Internet + blogs + technology make things seem like a bigger deal now.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Menace might be right, just go back a dozen years ago and the Vancouver references on the alt….Sonics bb were like this:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.sports.basketball.nba.seattle-sonics/browse_thread/thread/c478435de1d80db2/4981f2c19817b199?lnk=gst&q=Vancouver#4981f2c19817b199
Ok, it was not really like that, but this 12-year-old post made me laugh really hard.
December 16th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
And then there was this, posted by me, Payton_for_3, back in 2002.
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.sports.basketball.nba.seattle-sonics/browse_thread/thread/18f349ed005d1262/d6da4253f67aafa5?lnk=gst&q=Payton_for_3#d6da4253f67aafa5
December 16th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I remember those days. Getting a center/big man was probably the #1 topic by far.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Anyone glance at the Zombie Sonic-Mavericks game on TV tonight?
Talk about a worthless crowd. Lets leave with four minutes to go and only down 7.
Pathetic!
December 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
IMPORTANT UPDATE: I just had a conversation with a House Rep who said he has recieved lots of these mass emails from people, which is a good thing and a bad thing. He said that these mass frustration emails are ineffective and don’t mean much since they are sent to everyone in the legislature and usually don’t have contact info attached. He said a better and more effective method is to write these emails/letters to your specific legislator in your district, and make sure you sign them with your full name and address so they are taken seriously.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Agreed Adam, the same was said by Dick Morris r/t to healthcare reform letters. Personal and handwritten letters are much much more effective.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
The Grizzlies naming rights deal with FedEx is for an average of $4.5 million per year until 2023.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Here’s a mention of Sonicsgate from Blazersedge:
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/13/1082841/sonicsgate-heartbreaking
December 16th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Here’s one from Golden State of Mind:
http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/10/15/1087148/sonicsgate-now-playing-in-web
They’re two months old now, but you should post links to these on the Sonicsgate website when you get the chance, Adam. Remember also to post the L. Jon Wertheim and Atlantic Monthly mentions.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Here’s another local review:
http://seattlest.com/2009/12/13/yes_another_gate.php
December 16th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
for sure JAS. been way too busy but will get caught up with those eventually. our reviews page is getting pretty overwhelming! http://www.sonicsgate.org/reviews
December 17th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Thanks Adam. Just wanted to make sure those were brought to your attention.
This is already in the reviews section, but I thought I’d post this review of Sonicsgate by Matthew Meschery here for those who haven’t seen it. His father, Tom Meschery, was the first player taken by the Sonics in the 1967 expansion draft (after six years with the Warriors) and he played for the team during the first four seasons (Matthew mentions that he was born in Seattle). You could say he was the first Sonic:
http://www.fearthebeard.org/?p=2967
In Terry Pluto’s “Tall Tales” Meschery mentions at one point that he later worked for the Seattle department of recreation and helped set up an inner-city basketball league.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Tumbler the McFatty article was in the Seattle Times a couple days ago….I am over that he can’t hurt us ever again because he is no longer mayor…..it just pissed me off because he took no responsiblity in contributing to the team leaving he said there wasn’t enough interest….his fat ass in in the past, he could have delayed the team leaving and as we found out with the economy and McClendon losing his fortune the team could have been sold back but that is all in the past. I prefer to move forward and like I said before I believe we will hear good news in 2010.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Adam and Joshu@,
I’ve lost a lot of my computer contact info due to a crash. If you have my e-mail address please contact me off site ASAP. I have some important info to share.
December 17th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Hey bro! I emailed you.
December 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
hit me up info@sonicsgate.org
December 17th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
”Clay (Bennett) is doing a phenomenal job here. If you were going to create a template for it, this is the right way to move a team and rebuild and develop within a community. No one’s done a better job of it than Clay.” - Mark Cuban
December 17th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Sonicsgate got a mention in SI this week (pg. 73). They call it a “pitch-perfect documentary.”
December 17th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Ok, I have said this a couple times, if anything happens in the legislature it will be because of the other 90% of that bill. Those that care about an arena are in the minority, and that’s ok, but you have to appeal to the other 90% of the bill and the people that care about that stuff.
I care about all of it, and address all of it in a simple message to the King County Exec. (nobody has time to read three paragraphs when the represent all of the county).
A simple, honest, and personal message.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Sorry Baker, we were told to keep quiet about making the Sonics as an issue and that failed.. Not gonna dance around it this time. We have to make a strong showing.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I was Christmas shopping in Manhattan rocking my Sonics beanie (wear it everyday) and I got a comment from Knicks fan about the “vintage hat.” He told me he had just watched Sonicsgate! Though you all would like that.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Here are the reworked Pearl Jam lyrics for Supersonic about the Sonics.
Yeah, my heart’s breaking – bought and sold
Feel like a virgin (that) got turned into a whore, yeah
You took the flags but I must let go
How deep you thinking about the love that you sold?
Supersonics going to my soul
I bought my ticket but the game was gone, yeah
Supersonics, truth be told I don’t care about this to ever let this go
I’ve been bleeding the yellow and green
For years now you’re pissing all over me
Solidarity or so I thought
And now you’re telling me to just get fucked, yeah
Supersonics going to my soul
I bought my ticket but the game was gone, yeah
Supersonics, truth be told
I don’t care about this to wanna let you go, yeah
Supersonics howard hear me now
Won’t drink your coffee ’til you give back the ball, yeah
December 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
WOW! That SI thing is awesome. I’ll have to go buy a copy today.
If you are bored, would you guys mind going to our IMDB Page and giving us a high rating:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1499323/
Certain film sites like Rotten Tomatoes take the IMDB thing really seriously so let’s stuff that ballot box!
December 18th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Sonicsgate, I got the dvd in the mail today. Thanks for the bonus stickers! Is it cool if I make some copies of the dvd to give out to some people here in San Diego? I would think it would be ok, right, since you can see the documentary for free on the internet.
December 18th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Its a FREE country. As long as you keep it FREE and keep your citizen journalistic integrity. Promote promote promote. It must be FREE!!
December 18th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
We’ve got a shot to hit 38,000 tonight!
December 18th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
38,000…not slowing
December 18th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
“Absolutely Bobby, not all OKC people are like that. However, I have rarely heard of a time when a group of people from another city flamed their “opponent’s” (for lack of a better phrase) major newspaper message board for a major team like the Sonics, to the point that it had to be shut down for maintenance. To do so in the heat of the moment was a very unintelligent thing to do for those who thought it wise. The emotional intensity that surfaced from events like that made it difficult to exact “case-by-case” judgment on each individual OKC citizen to which we came in contact with.”
Happened in Charlotte when the Hornets moved. In fact, the NO fans were so bad they closed the Charlotte forum altogether, didn’t just shut it down for maintenance. There are jerks in every city. Nobody has a monopoly on them. Plenty of Seattle jerks on OKC websites too. Maybe you could argue the Seattle trolls had more of a right to be jerks, that’s all. And, there were KC jerks on OKC websites when the Las Vegas and KC prospects were mooted. There’s nothing “classier” about Kansas City, you’ve just found a stereotype that makes you happy. If ya’ll get another team, be prepared for some unhappy Memphisites.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
“Happened in Charlotte when the Hornets moved. In fact, the NO fans were so bad they closed the Charlotte forum altogether, didn’t just shut it down for maintenance.”
Right, but that still maintains the status of rare…you wasted time typing.
“Plenty of Seattle jerks on OKC websites too. Maybe you could argue the Seattle trolls had more of a right to be jerks, that’s all.”
41 years of tradition was stolen from a city…if people had responded any differently from the community of fans, I would have been concerned.
“If ya’ll get another team, be prepared for some unhappy Memphisites.”
Not as many as you’ll find in most situations. Most people next time around are going to be angry with Mr. Stern, as his business model is driving the NBA toward a serious crash. David Stern is one of the worst commissioners in sports.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Quite a bit of hypocrisy and cluelessness in that post there, Joshua. How many teams have relocated during the golden era of the internet? Wasted time typing indeed.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
hey joshu@, is mcginn a member of the facebook group? what about dow?
December 19th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
“Quite a bit of hypocrisy and cluelessness in that post there, Joshua. How many teams have relocated during the golden era of the internet? Wasted time typing indeed.”
Maybe you should do some homework before you decide to jump on here. There are still other leagues out there…ya know, like the NHL, MLB, and NFL. Still rare. Nice try though, get a life.
and 206er, not yet..we are working on it. Also some other things that are in the works, and a possibility. We’ll see.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Anyway, I am gonna try and cut out the in fighting or squabbling from my end…because honestly, we need to be united…we don’t need the extra stress. My bad for the “get a life” comment.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:04 am
OK I HAVE FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH THE FOUR STAGES OF GRIEF AND HAVE FINALLY COME OUT AT THE OTHER END TO MAKE IT TO ACCEPTANCE. IT STARTED WITH THE AWFUL REALIZATION IN APRIL 2005 THAT MCMILLAN WAS OPTING TO GO TO PORTLAND AND THEN THE DOMINOS ALL STARTED FALLUNG. GUTTING THE TEAM AS WE HAD ALL FEARED FOLLOWED BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE RADIO COVERAGE WAS SWITCHING TO FROM KJR TO KTTH TO THE SALE OF THE TEAM LATER THAT SUMMER FOLLOWED BY 2 YEARS OF THREATS AND DECEIT. DURING ALL THAT TIME WE WERE JUST AS POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING AS WE ARE NOW BUT WE TRIED TO CONVINCE OURSELVES OTHERWISE. IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE 1995 WHEN THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED SAFECO FIELD EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE NARROWLY REJECTED IT. OF COURSE NICKELS CAVED. HE GOT THE DEBT RELIEF HE WANTED ON THE KEY. ALL WE COULD DO WAS SIT THERE LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS AS THE MACK TRUCK RAN US OVER. I DON’T SEE ANY FRANCHISES ON THE HORIZON MOVING HERE. EVERYONE HAS SOME KIND OF CONTIGENCY PLAN NO MATTER HOW LAME TO HANG ON TO TILL HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN. BALLMER COULD GET AN OWNERSHIP GROUP TOGETHER THAT COULD FUND THE CREATION OF AN EXPANSION FRANCHISE WITH THE SONICS NAME WHICH WOULDN’T COST THE OTHER OWNERS ANYTHING AND ALSO BUILD THE PALACE OF THEIR DREAMS WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM THE GUTLESS POLITICIANS. JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THE FUN. MEANWHILE SONICSGATE WILL TAKE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN HISTORY AS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SPORTS DOCUMENTARY OF ALL TIME.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Futher into the crapper….
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010536990_funforest18m.html
December 20th, 2009 at 9:49 am
We’re gonna get to 40,000…and it certainly is showing no signs of plateauing.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:05 am
McGinn finally addressed one of the guys from our group that has been posting on his (Mayor McGinn’s) wall.
Two basic points that McGinn wanted to get across. One, he is working at getting his staff assembled for the January start. Two, he is getting ready to hear what people have to say at the town meetings. Those town hall meetings are obviously over…however, we can still rep this:
http://www.ideasforseattle.org/pages/27772-general/suggestions/382750-bring-an-anchor-tenant-back-to-key-arena
December 20th, 2009 at 11:51 am
id mcginn is basing his priorities on these town hall meetings, i say we crash a meeting or 2
SOS!
December 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Ah yes the vaunted town hall meetings. I think it would be fun to go and shout down every other special interest group there. Use guerilla tactics. Hijack the agenda. Show the Licatas of the world we think SOS is every bit as legitimate as ACT UP or any other of these local trendy causes. It’s not gonna set us back or anything because as we found out before we don’t matter anyway but it sure would be fun and it might give Bill Simmons and others grist for the sports blogs.
December 20th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
so are we any closer to getting a team?? haven’t been around much lately and I’m missing NBA Basketball in Seattle
December 20th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Holy CAPS LOCK Batman…
December 20th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I know I havent been on one of those rides in years…and I really dont have any desire or intention to ride them again. But, it is pretty strange to think that the Fun Forest will just be gone in less than a year…
December 21st, 2009 at 12:45 am
This is Seattle which is a strange city in many ways lets just admit it. Who knows if the NBA will ever come back. I am more concerned at the moment with the Seahawks they have some crucial decisions to make this off season.
December 21st, 2009 at 1:29 am
@SeattleNBAFan..join here:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?ref=name&id=788659688
and…
Vote here in these two places:
BRING AN ANCHOR TENANT BACK TO KEY ARENA
http://www.ideasforseattle.org/pages/27772-general/suggestions/382750-bring-an-anchor-tenant-back-to-key-arena?ref=title
BRING AN NBA TEAM TO SEATTLE
http://www.ideasforseattle.org/pages/27772-general/suggestions/386861-bring-an-nba-team-to-seattle?ref=title
Also…write to your local politicians. I put up a a long letter at the top, but i think Bakers letter may have a better format. So read the update that Adam posted and act accordingly.
We just have to keep making the noise and increasing the ground swell. Gotta keep this plate spinning while we put the second one up.
December 21st, 2009 at 1:30 am
wherearemyrings…Goosfraba, dawg…Goosfraba.
December 21st, 2009 at 11:59 am
What is the deal with the Fun Forest? I mean it isn’t a forest. It isn’t fun.
December 21st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Myk Says:
December 20th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
“Holy CAPS LOCK Batman…”
LOL!
December 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
quick shots: done plenty of academic-type research into a series of franchise relocations, i can tell you authoritatively that okc fans are no different from any other group, esp. when it comes to web sites/boards, where the cloak of anonymity lets people act in ways they wouldn’t be able to get away with in real company. . . as todd said correctly, there are jerks in every city. true, dat.
as far as having “contingency plans no matter how lame to hang onto until happy days are here again,” that is a lengthy synonym for a thing called “hope.” which is a good thing to have & hold on to.
someday, some way, and — i think not too far into the future — seattle will get another nba team. we’ll just have to watch how it plays out. but as long as those 41 years of support are out there, accompanied by a billionaire who apparently has a pro hoops jones, then seattle is very much in the running.
December 21st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Newsweek is saying that Ballmer is going to be ousted as CEO in 2010. That can’t be good.
But at the same time it does give him more free time!
December 21st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
“i can tell you authoritatively that okc fans are no different from any other group, esp. when it comes to web sites/boards, where the cloak of anonymity lets people act in ways they wouldn’t be able to get away with in real company. . . as todd said correctly, there are jerks in every city. true, dat.”
Look at all the a-h*les on the times/pi boards no matter what the subject. They get enjoyment out of arguing and taking the opposite stance of any discussion. You can count on some of those folks jumping onto other boards and taunting within their own local sites. You can probably count on them to do the same if we get another team.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I think Ballmer is too entrenched right now with MS. Windows 7 and Sharepoint are huge right now and he’s finally going to get Yahoo.
I agree with most that say he was distracted by all the lawsuits and what not. But I see big things for MS coming up.
But Google is going to own the whole marketplace by the end of next decade.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Mike Holmgren as Batman getting ready for Cleveland?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_w_o-oMdSo
December 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
ballmer’s already made his nut. his nba fortunes are not dependant upon his corporate future. . . as long as he likes the nba, and as long as he can sign the checks (which don’t bounce), he’ll be just the owner we need to get back in. . .
December 21st, 2009 at 4:53 pm
“his nba fortunes are not dependant upon his corporate future.”
Never be too sure of that.
December 21st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Kev, I hope Google doesn’t own the entire marketplace. Does not spell well for our fair region!
December 21st, 2009 at 8:25 pm
http://viralogy.com/blog/rankings/nba-team-social-media-authority-rank/
Our Bring Back the Supersonics Facebook thread is ahead of 24 NBA teams currently. We will easily take the Suns and the Pistons. We can take the Cavs AND the Bulls if we shoot for 100K members. I know, I said it would level out after 40K, but now I don’t see that happening.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=193317341291&ref=nf
December 21st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
That is f-ing great Speed, 24 team, nice job.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:13 am
I’m not trying to bash anyone here but I dont see the significance of the facebook thread. I mean it’s great that there are 40,000 members or whatever but so what. I mean there are 178,000 fans of “Tebow Crying”. I think this facebook deal is giving some of you a false-sense of actually doing something.
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 am
Google is going to rule the world someday. I agree.
“ballmer’s already made his nut. his nba fortunes are not dependant upon his corporate future. . . ”
Speculation. It also doesn’t hurt to have a Microsoft CEO paycheck either. The more money you have the better if your looking to be a pro franchise owner.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
http://h4lbasketball.com/OKC_Blunder.html
LOL! nice shirt.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
“I think this facebook deal is giving some of you a false-sense of actually doing something.”
I think you might need to get a little more understanding of social media.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:21 am
I think he actually has a good point. I love the effort. But its not the number of people in the group that will be significant……but who notices it/joins it. I wouldn’t dwell on the numbers.
The biggest facebook groups are generally pretty useless because of what they are about. This is a niche group. Niche groups can only get so big.
Some of the biggest groups on facebook is “MILLIONS AGAINST FACEBOOK’s NEW LAYOUT & TERMS OF SERVICE”, “Petition against the new facebook”, and “We hate the new facebook stop changing it”. Well they’ve changed the layout a few times since then. These groups are pretty useless.
I don’t see an unlike button yet.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
We aren’t dwelling on the numbers…if you understood the mechanics behind true social media…you would understand what is actually going on.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Ps….not trying to come across as a jerk..
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
“Its in the way that you use it” - Eric Clapton
I work for a social media site. I’ve worked at two now. Understand it pretty well.
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
the Facebook group is significant because it provides a Hub for communicating to like-minded Sonics fans (like this very blog). Sonicsgate Movie only has 1300 friends despite our best internet-whoring efforts, so the 40K number is significant.
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
“I’m not trying to bash anyone here but I dont see the significance of the facebook thread. I mean it’s great that there are 40,000 members or whatever but so what. I mean there are 178,000 fans of “Tebow Crying”. I think this facebook deal is giving some of you a false-sense of actually doing something.”
Wasn’t there a Carter from OKC who used to post here (he ran off after he mistakenly insisted that Bill Simmons was from Seattle)?
Hate to be paranoid, but … could somebody check this guy’s IP address?
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
“Speculation. It also doesn’t hurt to have a Microsoft CEO paycheck either. The more money you have the better if your looking to be a pro franchise owner.”
He only made about $1.28 million in salary and bonuses last year. Most of his net worth ($13.3 billion, according to the latest Forbes estimate) comes from stocks.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
the point about ballmer is, that like lots of sports owners, he might not be at the same level of 24/7/365 total commitment to the company that made him what he is today. . . in fact, i hope he isn’t. because sports team owners generally like to play w/their toys, which a hyperinvolved corporate schedule doesn’t really facilitate. ballmer is and will remain a big wig. bald, yes, but a big, big wig. and as long as he doesn’t do something famously horrible that lands him in bad pr territory, he’ll be a nice plum for stern to pluck. which would suit everyone’s interests. of course this is speculation, but it’s the kind of speculation that comes from watching this sort of thing over and over and over and over and over and over. . . ad infinitum, ad nauseum.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Lets get another team back I am sick of this crap. Brian Robinson we need you to do more ok. I am frustrated do more!!
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:08 pm
D-Sport, me and some other guys on here are working on a huge campaign to get more public interest going and a few other things. We hope for it to be big and we think it will.
Will do a an update after Christmas.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
How many friends does the “I like ham and cheese” Facebook group have these days?
Yum!
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
@ JAS-You aren’t paranoid, he’s from OKC…that’s why I think it’s funny that he is so “concerned” about the validity of the group. It really honestly shouldn’t matter for him, but he was looking to troll…and I am not in the mood for that.
@Menace-I look at it like this…much like Google, in the social sphere, relevance is key. Your ability to to effect public perception is going to be determined by how well you build, centralize, and mobilize such entities as the one we have in the group(and others that we also have). I believe, just like as in Google, there is an algorithm to all this…and I believe that this group no matter how big, or how small can be a part of that. Can it be the only thing? No, of course not…but just as your quote says…it’s all about how you use it.
@D-sport-I would hope you weren’t serious about calling Brian out. Brian has done more than anyone can ever have hoped for. As Kevin is saying, we have some cool things in the works. More info to come. Don’t get frustrated, bro…just stick with the family, man…this big, ugly(hahaha…jk), Sonics family.
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Seeing what happened with the Seahawks the last few days made me ill. I mean first they force Holmgren out as GM a few years ago because he was also coaching and now that his coaching career is over, they want him back as GM. Frankly I don’t blame him for going to Cleveland. To put things in perspective, we have Paul Allen as owner. There is no reason to believe that payroll would be a problem. Keeping a franchise player should be eminently doable. Somehow I knew this would get screwed up and now I’m reading about these extra layers of mid management that continue to be responsible for the bonehead decisions. Now look what they expect us to continue to pay for the product on the field. As one sports pundit put it, “underwhelming”.
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
“@ JAS-You aren’t paranoid, he’s from OKC…that’s why I think it’s funny that he is so ‘concerned’ about the validity of the group. It really honestly shouldn’t matter for him, but he was looking to troll…and I am not in the mood for that.”
He had posted a couple of times recently pretending to be from Seattle. That’s why I brought it up.
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Holy crap…the Thunder traded the rights to Peter Fehse today.
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:45 am
Hey Kevin that sounds great. I would love to help if you could use me.
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 am
The Okies kept it close but the Lakers won, so they are now under 500 and play the Suns tommorrow. The only reason I am saying this is because I don’t want them coming anywhere near making the playoffs this year. Can you imagine how painful and embarrasing to this city that would be. But make no mistake they are a team on the rise and they should have been a team on the rise playing here and not in Okieville. Thanks ex mayor McFatty.
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
“Holy crap…the Thunder traded the rights to Peter Fehse today.”
Dammit, that’s it. I’m off the bandwagon now for sure.
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Lets get another team back I am sick of this crap. Brian Robinson we need you to do more ok. I am frustrated do more!!
Brian did all he could and he did a great job. I am sure he still is involved but in the end Ballmer and government will have to get it done. Don’t hold your breath.
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Government don’t even mention that, I don’t want to even hear that word again, we all know by now that is a total dead end.
Kevin don’t tease me you said you had some exciting news to share after Christmas, don’t tease me I have been teased more than once before with”exciting news”. Just make sure you bring it.
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Brian Robinson you have done a great job, I was just showing my frustration thats all. We just can’t give up the NBA is too much a part of the sports landscape to not have in our fair city.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I know the answer how about Allen moving the Blazers up here, so Portland has to get a replacement team and then when they get it we give them the Blazers back and we get the replacement team they got. Problem solved But seriously this is like Philly keeping the sixers and NYC having no basketball team. That woud be ridiculous but that is exactly how it is here now in the Northwest. Seattle the bigger, much more well know around the country and world city having no team and nearby Portland the smaller, less well known , less exciting and sophisticated city having the NBA team. That is very embarrassing to me, and it should be for all citizens of Seattle.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
“Kevin don’t tease me you said you had some exciting news to share after Christmas, don’t tease me I have been teased more than once before with”exciting news”. Just make sure you bring it.”
K, first of all…chill, it’s ok. Just relax, I promise, it’s better for your health. We will have some pretty cool stuff for you after Christmas. I’m telling you, gonna be pretty sweet. No one is giving up, just trying to make the right push in the right places. Gotta get all our plates spinning at once.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I’ll tell you what you can do D. Go to these links and vote “3″ for both ideas. Then make sure you get everyone you know to get on and do the same thing. Both are climbing pretty fast and I anticipate that both will be in the top 10 within this upcoming week and pushing for the number one spot.
BRING AN ANCHOR TENANT BACK TO KEY ARENA
http://www.ideasforseattle.org/pages/27772-general/suggestions/382750-bring-an-anchor-tenant-back-to-key-arena?ref=title
BRING AN NBA TEAM TO SEATTLE
http://www.ideasforseattle.org/pages/27772-general/suggestions/386861-bring-an-nba-team-to-seattle?ref=title
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
There is going to a “war room” formed after Christmas, we’ll let you know what happens very soon after that.
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Sounds good fellas……Suns beat those Okies tonight
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Dang…you guys beat me to it…poor AK must be crushed that there was only three players involved in a trade. Freshe as destined to facilitate a 5 team 55 player trade….
December 24th, 2009 at 1:40 am
d-sport, perhaps it’s because Portland is and always has been a better NBA city than Seattle. Largely in part because until 2011 that’s the only legitimate pro team that we’ve had for the last 40 years. The Blazers will never leave Portland, and the city will always be willing to follow and support them. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for the Sonics and Seattle.
Either stop following the NBA or quit griping about how your city is so much more deserving of a team than Portland is, because it rings pretty hollow when just one year ago your moronic and apathetic local politicians allowed the Sonics to slip through their fingers.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:12 am
@Myk-Hahaha…AK is totally on a Blazer board now. Poor Blazer board, I wouldn’t wish that on my…no scratch that…I would, I would wish that on my worst enemy.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Facebook will allow a narrow channel affinity group participate in getting information that they are not going to get from broadcast media. It is not going be a way to form a group (3 to 17-ish people) that has broader rules, expectations, policy, and complicated tasks (I guess that wouldbe your “war room”).
Broad public awareness via Facebook does have value in soliciting broad public support.
And it’s cheap.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Peter Fehse, you mean the next Dirk?
Was he the one that refused to go to OKC?
Ich lehne ab, zu diesem Höllenloch zu gehen!
December 24th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
@Mr. Baker-Do you still have the link to the PDF that had pics of the proposed KeyArena remodel? I had them at one point, and don’t anymore.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Is this what you mean, Josh?:
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/PDF/080306KeyArena_Imagine_the_Future.pdf
December 24th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Totally, thanks JAS!
December 24th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I got it off of Sonicsman’s blog, so thanks to him to.
Someone tweeted Hollinger earlier today about the Hawks’ arena: “should have built Phillips in the ‘burbs.”
Hollinger replied: “Or in Seattle”
http://twitter.com/johnhollinger/status/7002112243
I assume he was joking, but I thought you might appreciate that. We’re gone but not forgotten.
On that note, Merry Christmas to all my fellow disenfranchised Sonics/NBA fans, wherever you may be.
December 25th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Merry Christmas to everybody. Thanks for continuing to make this site more active than most actual NBA team sites are. It continues to stun me.
So I am having real and legitimate issues with my business and this economy. I own my own company. My entire family relies on that company for their livelyhood. This includes my parents, siblings, and kids, nephews, neices, etc. While things were booming and money was easy I could justify taking time away to chase an NBA team. Right now, with the financial markets in turmoil I am watching a lot of business owners just lose everything. I have had to lay people off, make very hard adjustments, and even consider asking my sisters to take more the workload. It is tough times. We’re going to get through it OK but we are working very hard to do so.
It is a tough sell to ask everybody else to work harder while I go off an chase an NBA team. I want to, but it isn’t right.
So where I am at right now is that I am anxiously awaiting the Dec. 31 start over. We’ll have a new mayor, a new county executive, but most importantly the bad blood, the Seattle VS the NBA drama, and all involvement of Clay Bennett will be gone. It will be a good time to look forward.
I have relayed to the relevant parties including Mayor McGinn and Steve Ballmer that I am ready and willing to be part of a legitimate effort to get a new team. I have been told that Mr. Ballmer intends to make that effort. By the time it gets going it is my hope that I will have taken care of business in my own company and will be free to participate.
I love that you guys are there. I love that we still have people ready to act. I think it is flat out amazing that this much passion still exists.
That said I am ready to end the grassroots side of my efforts. I have been waiting a long time for my “young guns” moment when I get some type of official backing. Remember when Emilio Esteves breaks in and shows his deputy badge “We’re the law now” and comes out guns blazing. I want that to be me. I want a legitimate seat at the table working with the people who actually have the power to make that happen. Right now my efforts are pretty limited and they are all focused on making sure I am in the room when the people with power start talking. Until they start talking there isn’t much we can do.
Having groups and affiliations like this will really make a difference when the time comes. Fans can’t drive the bus though. We need to have someone step out so we can put our support behind them.
Be well.
December 25th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Cheers & Happy Holidays Brian. Your updates give me hope. I am really, really looking forward to seeing Ballmer make a move. I look at the young talent on teams like the Grizzlies and Kings and I ponder the possibilities. Imagine OJ Mayo or Tyreke Evans in Sonic uniforms. Nice.
December 25th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Tyreke Evans is 6′6″ 220 pounds, and although he needs to work on his TO’s…his combination of athleticism, speed, quickness, and composure for a guard his size and age is ridiculous. I feel like the fat kid who has to sit outside the Vegas Buffet while everyone else gets to go in and gorge themselves…man I miss the Sonics.
December 25th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I’ll probably get flamed for this, but I’m watching the Blazers game and man, Portland fans are probably the best in the NBA. That arena in constantly full, even when the team is struggling.
December 25th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
KeyArena is crumbling, Fun Forest is leaving… how long until they ship the Space Needle?
December 25th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Cost Estimating Phone Fax Email
Howard S. Wright
501 Eastlake Avenue E, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98109
206-447-7654 206-447-7727
Curtis Cox coxc@hswcc.com
How about we ask this guy to ’sharpen his pencil’? He did the budget estimate for the 2008 Key Arena plan linked above by JAS. I would bet costs have gone down closing the $75 million gap..
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2009/11/30/daily9.html
December 26th, 2009 at 3:36 am
A question to Brian or anyone who can answer this question:
What exactly is your business? Is it something I can help you out with or spread word to let people know about your it? I’d just like to help you in any way that I can as you have put in so many hours for your fellow sonics fans!
Thanks!
December 26th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
So I think I’ve figured out the attitude of most Seattlites. It’s that we need to be a progressive, forward-thinking major metropolitan who needs to keep up with the New Yorks and the LAs, only greener.
…But damned if we’re going to pay any taxes to do so.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
“Tales of a vulture”
http://sportstzu.blogspot.com/
December 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Seattle Times article about Seattle sports fans being underrated.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2010604068_fansseattle27.html
December 27th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Why is Jerry Brewer allowed to keep peddling his drivel? How many years did the Sonics lead the league in attendance when they played in the Kingdome? We don’t need outsiders coming in here psychoanalyzing the sports fans. Did you get your journalism degree out of a Wheaties box???
December 28th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
My primary business is commercial real estate investment so there is not much that people can do to help. The big issue in my industry right now is the re-writing of all the rules when it comes to credit availability.
If you want to support a business I own feel free to visit firehouse coffee in Ballard at 2622 NW Market St. Always welcome to ask for me if I am around.
Jerry Brewer is a really nice guy. While I don’t think you have to be born here to write for our papers I do feel that he has always struggled a little bit to get this region. His article is intended to point out that we’re better than our reputation but somehow it seems like it misses the mark a little bit.
December 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Thank you by the way for offering to support my business. Very nice of you.
The Sonics/SOS family will always be tight. I hope that 10 years from now people are still getting together with me and saying “Don’t you remember that rally!” It is nice to see people and share the battle stories.
SonicsGate has been crazy. Way more people recognize me from that movie than from any of the TV interviews we did.h
December 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I caught a little of the Blazers-Nuggets game and every time I hear Calabro announcing I feel kind of sad. I probably won’t watch too much NBA basketball until possibly the play-offs. (and that’s only if there is a local tie back to the Sonics!).
December 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I have never been a fan of Jerry Brewer. He never has had a feel for sonics fans, incompetent would be the word.
It turns out he is not a fan of mine, either.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Baker/150568099583
The Seattle Times went out of its way to collect columnists that are paid twice as much, but worth half as much as a basic staff reporter.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Just noticed the nba thunder site still has a fair amount of sonic html remnants in there…
http://www.nba.com/thunder/tickets/faq.html
There will be sonic bones falling out of their closet perpetually.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Jerry Brewer can write a good column. I was though very frustrated with his column last year where he wrote that Slade Gordon, Wally Walker, and the group that tried to keep the Sonics in Seattle were acting in as bad manner as Clay Bennett and his Oklahoma group-who succeeded in taking the Sonics out of Seattle. The idea that there is any equivalance in actions between guys trying to save a franchise that has been around for 41 years and out of State guys hijacking an esteemed franchise is beyond me. I would like to see Brewer one day revise the opinions he set out in that column. It seemed to me that Brewer got mesmerized or even brainwashed by Brad Keller’s pitch in the trial.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
FWIW Brewer called me this morning for his Sonics fan article tomorrow. We’ll see what he writes, but he seemed really supportive of Sonics fans even though his past articles have been a little off from our general sentiment. I think he took a lot of heat for the Pro-OKC article last summer and is just trying to get back in the good graces of Sonics fans.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
“I think he took a lot of heat for the Pro-OKC article last summer and is just trying to get back in the good graces of Sonics fans.”
I really could care less if he existed in this city or not. He’s a keyboard jockey with absolutely no valuable insight into the sports that he covers. However, much like the fervent mediocrity that has seemed to clutch most of this city as of late, I don’t see him leaving. So I just don’t read Seattle publications-online or in print- thank goodness for blogs.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Nate Robinson fined $25,000 for trade request.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/12/28/nate-robinson-fined-for-trade-request/?synd=fanhouse
Nate Robinson’s rep around the league is that he’s a me-first guy more interested in padding his rep as a scoring guard than being a distributor. This limits his value to many teams since he’s basically more of a 3rd guard/Vinnie the Microwave type to begin with. The incident of him shooting at his own basket a few weeks ago is helping his credibility much either …
Aaron Goodwin has always been an agent who likes to negotiate in the media and that’s probably another strike against him.
Bottom line is Nate Robinson is not a guy that’s going to help make a bad or mediocre team better, and shooting off his mouth in the media via his agent is not helping his case. I don’t believe for a second that Goodwin wasn’t making a request that didn’t come from the player himself.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Bottom line is Nate Robinson is not a guy that’s going to help make a bad or mediocre team better, and shooting off his mouth in the media via his agent is not helping his case. I don’t believe for a second that Goodwin wasn’t making a request that didn’t come from the player himself.
- These all may be valid points…but its total BS that he was fined…what a joke. People say they want to be traded all the time in the media (Kobe Bryant anyone?)
December 29th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
“These all may be valid points…but its total BS that he was fined…what a joke”
Not really. Stephen Jackson got fined for doing the same thing. I think the message to players is simply you can’t get away with making public trade demands and claiming your agent doesn’t speak for you. Because if so what are you paying him for in the first place?
December 29th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Is that a business expense?
Btw, if he has anything in his contract about games played (or available to play) then sitting in ny is costing him more than that fine.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
its total BS that he was fined…what a joke. People say they want to be traded all the time in the media (Kobe Bryant anyone?)
Asking for a trade during the off-season is one thing but doing it during the course of the season is totally bunk due to the negative team chemistry and fan reaction created. Fines are a good way to keep it behind closed doors, as it should be during the season.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Have stated that I want the Atlanta Hawks to move to Seattle?
December 29th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Jerry Brewer is an excellent writer period. He made a mistake with the pro Okie article last summer I even called him out on that. He made a mistake who hasn’t. I don’t remember the Slade Gordon, Wally Walker article he wrote but we don’t even need to talk about how bad a gm Wally Walker was, he made the team so bad that it was ripe to be stolen from us. As for Slade Gordon he helped first bring the Mariners to town and later helped save the Mariners and we all forever thank him for that, but he didn’t do jack to save the Sonics. The only time when this nightmare was going on of the Sonics possibly leaving, the only time I felt confident was when Slade Gordon was going to get involved. I don’t know all the details of course but he was ineffective in saving the Sonics, there was probably nothing he could do.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Kevin
How do you figure the Atlanta Hawks are bound for Seattle? They’ve got the fourth best W-L percentage in the Eastern Conference. Their attendance has gotten better as a result.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Anyone listening to Calabro right now (4.45p)? Talking about the Sonics…letting everyone in leadership have it.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Hey Mark,
I don’t figured they are headed here. I’m just saying they are tops of my list to move here. I love watching them. Shockingly I also love watching the Memphis Grizzlies. I always make sure I catch the Hawks or Grizzlies when they plan on TV. Outside of that, I could care less. haha
December 29th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Kevin I know where you are coming from when you say you want the Atlanta Hawks to move here. In spite of having I believe the 3rd best record in the East, they don’t draw flies, that has always been that way. But we all know that will never happen Atlanta is a much larger metro area population city than Seattle and also a media stonghold CNN, etc. Also unlike us if the Hawks did threaten to leave, the city and legistlature would save them unlike our sorry politicians.
Our hope lies with teams like Memphis and Milwaukee, smaller markets like that.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I will have to listen to the podcast. Calabro is a straight shooter, he doesn’t sugarcoat things like most of the media in this town does, I like him.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I want the Lakers or the Celtics to come here.
Neat!
December 29th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Yeah, they are bigger than we are, but they have a gem of a team, but no one shows up. Well except for tonight the arena looks pretty full.
I like the direction Memphis is heading. They need to dump Chris Wallace from the front office ASAP though or they are going to end up trading Rudy Gay to Boston for someone like Tony Allen.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Man I wish the Fabulous Sports Babe was still here, she would let us Hooterville have it, triple hard after losing the Sonics. She used to crack me up so much my stomach would hurt. I called her a couple of times and she let me talk because she said I knew my sports. But I miss her hanging up on all the unknowledgeable sports fans here and as we know there are quite a few of them. In fact I heard her on KJR a couple of weeks ago with I am drawing a blank on his name, and she said at the end of the interview “tell all the people in Seattle I still hate em” Rofl she is a beauty. I am sure lots of people don’t miss her but she exposed how backwards and provincial we are here. She would had and absolute field day covering the Sonics mess and departure. I miss her.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I hope the Grizzlies aren’t that stupid to trade Rudy Gay for Tony Allen, where in the hell did you hear that rumor lol?
December 29th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
It is after Christmas fellas where is this big news we are going to hear about, I’m waiting lol
December 29th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Yep Calabro’s great. Another PU suondoff on that topic.
http://tinyurl.com/yaql682
December 29th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Haha, no rumor, just saying Chris Wallace is a huge dumbass. Sadly he isn’t one of the top 5 dumbest GMs in the NBA.
We have our get together on the 1st. You’ll know more after that.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Would someone go down to Okieville and break Durants legs lol…..has anybody else besides me noticed that the Okies are threatening to make the playoffs this year. I know it is early but they are for real, someone do something please I don’t want to go through more humiliation.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I don’t think they’re quite for real. We’ll see what happens when February rolls along. They’ve had a very easy schedule with lots of 2-3 and even 4 days off between games. The starters play way too many minutes. They’ll start breaking down.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Kevin I hope your right because I don’t want to go through the humiliation of them making the playoffs. We have suffered enough.
December 30th, 2009 at 12:21 am
10 bucks the Thunder make the playoffs this year and, if they keep their current players, become legit title contenders within the next 3 years.
I hate it more than anyone can know to admit it but this team and franchise is legit.
December 30th, 2009 at 12:59 am
“As for Slade Gordon he helped first bring the Mariners to town and later helped save the Mariners and we all forever thank him for that, but he didn’t do jack to save the Sonics”
Slade Gorton pretty much laid the groundwork to get the Ballmer Group together. How much could a former Republican US Senator get done with our legislature?
December 30th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Unfortunately I agree with Eric E the Okies are for real, I mean they almost beat the Lakers at Staples Center. Maybe they will have some injuries but maybe not. This team is talented and on track for success, lets just hope it is not this year. We are still hurting and we don’t need this.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:44 am
This town would be going crazy over the Sonics with the team they have now if they were still here. Unfortunately Bennett, Stern had other ideas and the politicians here didn’t give a damn. What a future we could have had now. We would be the envy of the league, but it is not to be. Now we have to hate our own team because they play in OKC crazy just crazy.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
D-Sport, “Jerry Brewer is an excellent writer period. “.
No he is not, period.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Yeah D if they were still here the Key would be packed and have true sell outs. Not the half empty sell outs the Okies claim to have.