RealGM

It looks like there will be no more of the Seattle Sonics anymore.

Via Wiretap:

SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett could end up paying $75 million to move the NBA franchise to Oklahoma City this year, and he won't be taking the team's name or colors with him.

Bennett agreed to settle a lawsuit with the city of Seattle, bringing an end to a contentious relationship that resulted in a trial in which the judge was due to issue her ruling Wednesday.

"We believe this is a fair and appropriate resolution to the litigation involving the Sonics and the City of Seattle," Bennett said. "We are pleased that the uncertainty is lifted for our players, staff and Oklahoma City fans who can now make plans for the immediate future."

Bennett and Stern are two of the most classless people the NBA has ever had.

It might be nice to post something in this thread on the SuperSonics board: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=816130

The Sonics were a great franchise, and I hope people do not forget their glory days with GP and company.

that's sad. too bad for the city & its history. I really don't follow the Sonics but was their attendance really bad for them to move?

add: i wonder what happens to the retired jersey numbers (if any).

Very sad, well hopefully a new Super Sonic team will be created.

It's wrong on so many levels. Stern and Bennett can say whatever they want Everybody knew what he was up to from the beginning. It's scary because what's to stop a similar scenario from happening again another team. He can make replicas of the banners and trophies if he wants but that doesn't mean anything, because that belongs to Seattle. I'm glad that the name and colors are staying behind, but even if they get a new team it probably won't be the same.

I feel SO bad for their fans... 41 years!! So sad..

Hey at least the Oklahoma City team won't be called Sonics. Sad for the loyal fanbase and retired players that's for sure.

I am totally outraged that this team was driven out of their four-decade home city basically because David Stern didn't like their arena and had a fit of pique and power when the local government didn't jump to his demands on his schedule --- so they allow a new owner with highly questionable motives move them to a much smaller market which won't even have a practice facility for them for at least 18 months.
This must be devastating to the Seattle fans. My heart goes out to them.
You'd think Stern would have learned something from his experience of yanking the Hornets out from under the Charlotte fans, and never having the numbers recover in either place. But no, observing what he is like, perhaps you wouldn't think he would have learned.
I only hope that Seattle gets a new Sonics team in time to draw back most of the fans who must be feeling really embittered about Stern and the NBA now. It's a blessing that they still have the name and the colors.

cinnamon wrote:I am totally outraged that this team was driven out of their four-decade home city basically because David Stern didn't like their arena and had a fit of pique and power when the local government didn't jump to his demands on his schedule --- so they allow a new owner with highly questionable motives move them to a much smaller market which won't even have a practice facility for them for at least 18 months.

The funny thing about this is, that Bennett always told everyone that even a remodeld KeyArena wouldn't be good enough for him, while Stern agreed, and when Mayor Nickels offered him to talk about a remodel of KeyArena or even a new building, if he'd agree to pay half the cost, Bennett just threw that out of the window telling people that he doesn't has to fly to Seattle, if a remodel of KeyArena(you see, he didn't even mentioned that offer of a new arena) is everything the Mayor wants to talk about.

Though, now that the team has moved and Bennett got his wish, Stern has officially stated that a re-model of KeyArena(they're talking about a $300 mil re-model) would be alright with the league.

You see, all they ever wanted to do was getting that team to OKC as soon as possible, as their actions show.

cinnamon wrote:I only hope that Seattle gets a new Sonics team in time to draw back most of the fans who must be feeling really embittered about Stern and the NBA now. It's a blessing that they still have the name and the colors.

Keeping the name, colours and history might be nice, but if the city of Seattle and that Steve Ballmer led group can't get a franchise to Seattle within 5 years and the gouvernment to commit to either a re-modeld KeyArena or a new arena will be build, then Bennett will pay another $30 mil(after paying $45 mil right now) to the city of Seattle and receive the name, colours and franchise history in exchange.

Though, seeing that Stern mentioned that Ballmer group in his statement and with them then being the richest owners of the league, i believe that there will be some kind of deal which nets Seattle another team within those 5 years.

^ Will you root and follow a Seattle team if another team comes into the league via expansion or moving?

ClipperDomination wrote:^ Will you root and follow a Seattle team if another team comes into the league via expansion or moving?

I'll be keeping an eye on the situation in Seattle, but i don't know if i'll follow that team or not, if there's going to be another one.
Right now, i'm just interested in the Clippers, as i just want to have some fun again watching and talking about basketball, something that hasn't been there all the time for the last 2 years.

Det the Threat wrote:Though, now that the team has moved and Bennett got his wish, Stern has officially stated that a re-model of KeyArena(they're talking about a $300 mil re-model) would be alright with the league.

You see, all they ever wanted to do was getting that team to OKC as soon as possible, as their actions show.

This whole thing has been so distorted and crooked right from the start, full of lies and cover-ups and bad faith. No integrity on the part of the league, none on the part of the new owners.
I didn't know this part that I've quoted from your post, Det.
It's really heartbreaking what Stern has done to Seattle.
I thought after all those shocking Bennett e-mails were made public, that one of the two court cases would surely go Seattle's way. How could anyone read those e-mails and fail to see the blatant bad faith?
Sometimes there seems to be no justice.
I'm sorry for what was done to you and the other Seattle fans.
I only hope that you get a new Sonics team within the requisite five years. It won't be the same, but it will be something.