Author Topic: Okla City Sonics, not Hornets?  (Read 748 times)

Offline Reality

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Okla City Sonics, not Hornets?
« on: May 31, 2007, 11:49:56 AM »
Barring the Starbucks Brothers chipping in a large donation, sounds like the Sonics are gonzo.  That is sad.
Couple of the best teams.  The 1979 Champs i have no doubt very well would have repeated had not cheapskate owner refused to give Gus Williams a raise.  '92-96 with Kemp and Payton and cast at their peak also.

Is the Oklahoma City owner of the Sonics really trying to keep the team there? :D
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City businessman who owns the SuperSonics says he is losing hope that a way will be found to keep the NBA team in Seattle.

"I'm probably as pessimistic as I've been," Clay Bennett told The Oklahoman Tuesday. "Not to say I've lost complete hope. We'll evaluate thoroughly any potential lead, but we're out of ideas."

Bennett said he has begun preliminary discussions with Oklahoma City and Kansas City about possible relocation.

"My expectation and my belief is that if we leave Seattle, we're quite likely headed to Oklahoma City," Bennett said. "But that decision has to be made with appropriate due diligence. We have to do that work. Just can't proclaim we're moving here."

He said that when he and his partners first bought the Seattle SuperSonics last summer, he would drive around the Puget Sound area marveling.

"I couldn't get my hands around what good fortune, to have a team in that marketplace with a new facility," said Bennett. "I really thought we would get a deal done. An extraordinary opportunity.

"But lately, I don't have those same feelings."

Bennett said despite last week's news that the Sonics will pick second in the NBA draft, giving them either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, there has been no momentum on finding a way to build a new arena, which is the key to keeping the team in Seattle.

"For now, without a building solution, it's our intent to play in Seattle and apply for relocation immediately after the (Oct. 31) deadline," Bennett said.

The Oklahoma City group agreed to give Seattle until Oct. 31 to produce an arena deal.