OT: Seattle franchise will move to Oklahoma City

[CeltsfaninDC]

"They can't complain about a new arena because they're not winning enough games, period," Kemp says. "They need to put up or shut up. When I got into the NBA, the thing of it was, if you won, you got a new arena. But if you lost, you had to work to get the arena.

"You can't be a losing team and get a new arena. That's not fair. That's not fair! That's how I see it."

right. because the Cs have been killing it for the last 10 years or so to deserve their new Garden.

[greenbeans]

"They can't complain about a new arena because they're not winning enough games, period," Kemp says. "They need to put up or shut up. When I got into the NBA, the thing of it was, if you won, you got a new arena. But if you lost, you had to work to get the arena.

"You can't be a losing team and get a new arena. That's not fair. That's not fair! That's how I see it."

right. because the Cs have been killing it for the last 10 years or so to deserve their new Garden.

Larry was still with the team in some regard when they built the Fleetcenter. it wasnt like we were THAT far down the line from our 80's heyday. and the Garden was a completely different situation then Key. you cant really compare the two situations imo

[CeltsfaninDC]

Larry was still with the team in some regard when they built the Fleetcenter. it wasnt like we were THAT far down the line from our 80's heyday. and the Garden was a completely different situation then Key. you cant really compare the two situations imo

The new Garden opened in 95, Larry retired in 92 (after a few years which I wouldn't classify as good ones for either him or the Cs). Wikipedia refers to this era as:
1993–2001: Tragedy and decline

Not exactly what I think Kemp was trying to describe (you know, a winning team). Buildings are built for financial needs not because a team is winning or not winning.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Seeing as how the Bruins owned the old Garden and own the New Garden, it's irrelevant when relating it to the C's. The B's make money from their games, concessions from C's games, concerts, events, etc.

Moot point.

[asdfgh]

What Kemp means is that you can't ask the fans to pay for a new arena when you don't even have a good team.

[TheSheriff]

A new arena makes no economic sense. And losing the Sonics will not hurt the Seattle economy. It hurts emotionally, but it made no fiscal sense for them to pay for arena.

[MyInsatiableOne]

It's more a travesty because they had 40 years of history there, a championship, and the new owners lied to the league (but not Stern) and the fans when they bought the team.

[campybatman]

Seattle fans needs to understand that the only thing which is lost here are the former Sonic players. Well, that and the revenue that the team generated from merchandise sales and what have you bought by local fans and visiting fans and the local and nearby businesses that sold stuff and served customers food, drink and entertainment. Yeah, you can say there will be a trickle down effect from the team relocating. On the other hand, the history, the championship, the colors and the nickname will remain in the city. I see this as being similar to when Cleveland lost the Browns to the city of Baltimore, but eventually got another NFL team.

Think of it as Batman played by more than one actor. Never mind who the actor is... All you see is the mask and suit. Who exist behind the mask isn't as important as what the Batman represents to Gotham.

Stern has frequently ruled out expansion, and no teams have said publicly they want to move. If a team did become available, cities such as Las Vegas, Kansas City and Anaheim, Calif., also would want to be in consideration.

Gregoire also said she was disappointed to be losing the franchise, but was heartened by the NBA's pledge to help potential new owners secure another team for the city.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/b ... index.html

[campybatman]

Just a thought... But, isn't it ironic to watch Durant in this commercial now that you think about it.



http://youtube.com/watch?v=E5o3rdgCJK0

[MyInsatiableOne]

^^^Haha...yes indeed it is.

Still a travesty for the city, especially given the truly sleazy way Bennett and Stern handled the whole thing from the beginning.

[Taget]

I remember taking a summer course on the history of Boston where the professor talked about how the Boston Braves were considered the team of the poor immigrants whereas the Red Sox were considered the team for the Brahmin and Beacon Hill. The location of their old stadium is now a field for some Boston University team or another.

Very sad that the NBA allowed this. An owner signs a lease on a stadium barely a decade old and already angling to move. He breaks the lease and the law and gets away with it. Despite there being buyers willing to keep the team local.

Another black stain on David Stern's already tarnished record.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I remember taking a summer course on the history of Boston where the professor talked about how the Boston Braves were considered the team of the poor immigrants whereas the Red Sox were considered the team for the Brahmin and Beacon Hill. The location of their old stadium is now a field for some Boston University team or another.

Very sad that the NBA allowed this. An owner signs a lease on a stadium barely a decade old and already angling to move. He breaks the lease and the law and gets away with it. Despite there being buyers willing to keep the team local.

Another black stain on David Stern's already tarnished record.

Agreed...other than make the NBA a very profitable league, he hasn't done much POSITIVE for the game. Just has this air of sleaze about him...maybe it's the whole New York/lawyer thing...

[campybatman]

The one thing I do like is local ownership. And Bennett is from Oklahoma. Still, I say, the previous Sonics owner could've been weary of him before selling the team knowing that he's an "outsider" and had to be aware of the success in fan attendance that the Hornets attracted when they were there temporarily. In my opinion, I feel like the former Sonics owner needs to look in the mirror somewhat. I don't know if Bennett's desire was to move the Sonics franchise to his home state from the first day he purchased the team. Perhaps, that was his fall back plan if he didn't get the city's help in securing a new arena. However, the former Sonics owner might have held out longer for a local buyer before he'd sold the team to Bennett.

In related news...

The soon-to-be-named Oklahoma City team will wear NBA-OKC jerseys during summer league play this week, according to The Oklahoman.


The NBA approved the use of the generic jerseys rather than have the team wear their now "old" Sonics' jerseys.