Sonics Likely Moving to Oklahoma
Minority Owner Claims NBA Franchise was Never Staying in Seattle
Aug 13, 2007
Seattle Supersonics minority owner, Aubrey McClendon, told an Oklahoma City reporter that it was never the intention to keep the team in Seattle. That the intent was always to move the team to Oklahoma City.
This comes to no surprise to most Sonics fans, as ownership had been somewhat shady when dealing with the organization and media. Reports indicated that after the group signed the franchise, they were reluctant to return any phone calls from then GM Rick Sund or other key professionals of the organization. Moreover, the Sonics have been cleaning house through the organization, by firing numerous staff members and trading away its two biggest stars (Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis) for expiring contracts and prospects (which is something typically done by a team that's soon to move).
McClendon claims that, though Seattle is a better market for an NBA franchise, it isn't a willing participant and seems to pride itself on not needing an NBA franchise in order to be a top-rated American city. Moreover, Seattle tax payers are hesitant to contribute taxes for another professional sports stadium after being bogged down by the Seahawks and Mariners new stadiums.
Still, it's frustrating to hear about the real business side of the NBA. The reason for all the smoke and mirrors on the subject is presumably because NBA Commissioner David Stern would not allow owner Clay Bennet to move the team unless he had exhausted himself trying to find ways to keep the team in Seattle. It seems now that that was never his true intention. The big question that remains is whether or not the Sonics will have to fulfill its lease to play at Key Arena, which expires 2010.
There also seems to be some personal angst against the City of Seattle. Yet, Clay Bennet and his crew never seemed to meet the City half way on anything.
"To the great amazement and surprise to everyone in Seattle, some rednecks from Oklahoma, which we've been called, made off with the team," said McClendon.
From the perspective of Sonics fans, the Sonics were sold by an owner who cared more about making a buck than the City. The only assurance he had that the new owners would try to keep the team in Seattle was their word that that was their intention. Moreover, since day one, Clay Bennet has been cold and distant to the fans and made a myriad of demands to the State government without knowing its politics or history of the situation. That kind of disrespect won't garner more support. Though it seems now like the intention was to turn the City against the team, which has seemed to be somewhat successful.
For the sake of Seattle and for the sake of the NBA, hopefully something works out where Seattle can hold onto the Sonics, or get a new team soon. The City is too great of a market not to have an NBA franchise.
Click here to read the response to McClendon's comments by Sonics' owner Clay Bennet.
