Is there any chance?

[NyKnicks1714]

First off let me just say that i'm probably just as upset as any Sonics fan over this. I'm somewhat familiar with the situation, but not completely. Now that the BOG has approved the momve, what else is left which could potentially stop it?

[TheUrbanZealot]

First off let me just say that i'm probably just as upset as any Sonics fan over this. I'm somewhat familiar with the situation, but not completely. Now that the BOG has approved the momve, what else is left which could potentially stop it?

Well the Sonics have a lawsuit with the City of Seattle with regards to the remaining 2 years on their lease. Bennett basically took over the Sonics while they had a lease agreement with the City, which goes through 2010. The City contests Bennett has to honor the lease, while Bennett wants to buyout his last 2 years of the lease. So the lawsuit basically will determine if Seattle can stay for at least another 2 years. The problem is, Bennett has already indicated he will leave anyways, so what all of us fans are (albeit desperately) hoping for is that Bennett loses the case with the City (very likely) and ultimately decides he can't risk losing anymore money than he already has- thus forcing him to sell to a local entity. Bennett has clearly stated, however, that the team is not for sale, so he appears willing to take a financial hit no matter what. By the way, he offered the City 26 million already to buyout the remaining 2 years of the lease, and the City subsequently declined.

There is also a lawsuit pending with Howard Schultz, the previous owner, who is claiming breach of contract due to his belief that Bennett did not putting forth a "good faith best effort" to keep the Sonics in Seattle. He basically wants to rescind the deal, which means he wants the team back, and he'll give Bennett back his cash. Many people are writing it off as a publicity stunt or a last minute desperation effort, but any effort at this time is better than none.

All in all, it's looking pretty bleak, even if we keep the Sonics in town for another 2 years...

[Troy McClure]

First off let me just say that i'm probably just as upset as any Sonics fan over this.

No, no you're not. I promise you you aren't.

[Dick Tate]

First off let me just say that i'm probably just as upset as any Sonics fan over this. I'm somewhat familiar with the situation, but not completely

C'mon man, how can you say that and then say you're only somewhat familiar with the situation? We've been living it.

[NyKnicks1714]

-= original quote snipped =-



Well the Sonics have a lawsuit with the City of Seattle with regards to the remaining 2 years on their lease. Bennett basically took over the Sonics while they had a lease agreement with the City, which goes through 2010. The City contests Bennett has to honor the lease, while Bennett wants to buyout his last 2 years of the lease. So the lawsuit basically will determine if Seattle can stay for at least another 2 years. The problem is, Bennett has already indicated he will leave anyways, so what all of us fans are (albeit desperately) hoping for is that Bennett loses the case with the City (very likely) and ultimately decides he can't risk losing anymore money than he already has- thus forcing him to sell to a local entity. Bennett has clearly stated, however, that the team is not for sale, so he appears willing to take a financial hit no matter what. By the way, he offered the City 26 million already to buyout the remaining 2 years of the lease, and the City subsequently declined.

There is also a lawsuit pending with Howard Schultz, the previous owner, who is claiming breach of contract due to his belief that Bennett did not putting forth a "good faith best effort" to keep the Sonics in Seattle. He basically wants to rescind the deal, which means he wants the team back, and he'll give Bennett back his cash. Many people are writing it off as a publicity stunt or a last minute desperation effort, but any effort at this time is better than none.

All in all, it's looking pretty bleak, even if we keep the Sonics in town for another 2 years...

Thanks, I was actually aware of both lawsuits, although for some reason I thought the former was leaning in Bennet's favor. The Schultz lawsuit does cry "saving face" but it's obviously better than nothing.

But you are saying that it's very likely the Sonics will still be in Seattle for the next 2 seasons? That's kind of interesting, I mean a lot can happen in two years, right? Succumbing to pressure from the city/fans, or someone bidding highly enough to change Bennet's mind about selling; or am I just being overly optimistic?

[wiff]

-= original quote snipped =-

But you are saying that it's very likely the Sonics will still be in Seattle for the next 2 seasons? That's kind of interesting, I mean a lot can happen in two years, right? Succumbing to pressure from the city/fans, or someone bidding highly enough to change Bennet's mind about selling; or am I just being overly optimistic?

You're right 2 years is a long time. And there are a couple things on the horizon that could end up twisting Clays arm enough he might sell. But we have to have the Sonics in Seattle for the next two year to make that happen.

[Dick Tate]

If for some reason Bennett now decided to sell, whomever he sold the team to would eventually be playing in Oklahoma City.

http://newsok.com/article/3232226/1208585272

Cornett said the team's lease with the city, approved Tuesday by the council and signed by Bennett, will take effect now that the relocation was approved by the NBA.

"Our lease became intact once the Board of Governors' decision was official,

[yearsago]

First off let me just say that i'm probably just as upset as any Sonics fan over this. I'm somewhat familiar with the situation, but not completely. Now that the BOG has approved the momve, what else is left which could potentially stop it?

1)Lease Lawsuit

2)Contract lawsuit.

[wiff]

If for some reason Bennett now decided to sell, whomever he sold the team to would eventually be playing in Oklahoma City.

http://newsok.com/article/3232226/1208585272

Cornett said the team's lease with the city, approved Tuesday by the council and signed by Bennett, will take effect now that the relocation was approved by the NBA.

"Our lease became intact once the Board of Governors' decision was official,

[D5150]

The league's constitution stipulates the Sonics must move before the 2008-09 season or else the team must re-submit a relocation bid

that muddies the waters just a bit. i think the league WAY jumped the gun on the vote. this could wind up bitting them in the ass.

and that okc lease could wind up being a bennett problem. he didn't need to sign that thing now, not while there is ongoing litigation. he jumped the gun too. that has been one of the biggest problems in this mess, bennett and stern getting ahead of themselves and not waiting for ALL of the process to be completed. that stipulation probably wont be enforceable if ownership changes hands. or if bennett gets another team, the lease could be re-negotiated.

and as bennett and stern have shown us, in the nba, contracts are made to be broken or ignored.

[TheUrbanZealot]

If for some reason Bennett now decided to sell, whomever he sold the team to would eventually be playing in Oklahoma City.

http://newsok.com/article/3232226/1208585272

Cornett said the team's lease with the city, approved Tuesday by the council and signed by Bennett, will take effect now that the relocation was approved by the NBA.

"Our lease became intact once the Board of Governors' decision was official,

[D5150]

from the linked article:

Cornett said the team's lease with the city, approved Tuesday by the council and signed by Bennett, will take effect now that the relocation was approved by the NBA.

"Our lease became intact once the Board of Governors' decision was official,

[colombianbrew]

And things just get more interesting...

What was Bennett doing signing leases before the vote? Really makes things interesting. I don't know if it is more amo for Seattle though, because really what was to stop him signing that assuming the lease was contingent on BOG approval?

[D5150]

it is all about the apperance of back room dealings. all bennett had to do was wait until after the vote. this makes it appear as if though the yes vote was a forgone conclusion. this makes the whole "voting" process look like nothing more than an excercise. if the choice was already made, the vote was mearly a formality. this is looking more and more shady every day.

[Skum]

This is very weird and it shouldnt even be possible to sign leases like that..

So even if Bennett sells the team now, the Sonics is officialy contracted to play in the Ford Center for 15 years.

Could you imagine the Seattle Supersonics playing all their home games in Oklahoma City..

[DoctorEvil]

If Shultz wins his case, I'm sure the lease would be voided. The whole POINT of the case is that Bennett never intended to stay here, so this would not only be evidence against him, it would certainly be part of the remedy if Shultz wins.

[McG]

I was just reading Percy Allens blog and he mentioned a really interesting piece of information. Apparently the BOG vote had intended to approve each of the next 3 seasons for relocation, but it was the New Orleans Hornets that came to the league before the vote to remind them that the NBA's consititution only allows for the approval of the following season. I realize that Stern's love for NO equals his hatred for Seattle, but a Hornets relocation could definitely be possible (see attendance). At least we know that Shinn is keeping the door open.

[D5150]

from the seattle times:


Schultz's lawsuit discloses a new e-mail, written two days before the sale, in which Bennett tells his prospective ownership group that he could simply sell the team in a "sweet flip" if an arena deal was reached here and they were forced to stay in Seattle.



you know that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

[HeavyP]

I guess maybe this belongs here. I posted it in another thread.

http://downloads.newsok.com/documents/New_lawsuit_against_Sonics_owners.pdf

The documentation of the lawsuit.

[wiff]

from the seattle times:


Schultz's lawsuit discloses a new e-mail, written two days before the sale, in which Bennett tells his prospective ownership group that he could simply sell the team in a "sweet flip" if an arena deal was reached here and they were forced to stay in Seattle.



you know that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

+1

I have a feeling that the emails that they have released aren't the only ones they are going to be using in court. I think they will release the others as late as possible as to not give Bennett and company tons of time to build an excuse/case.

This isn't a lock to get the team back but it looks like Howard's case is getting better and better.

Why do I have a feeling that damn near every email Bennett wrote to his cronies is about bringing the team to OKC as soon as possible?