Sonics should follow the Packers formula

funkatron101 · Post #1 » by **funkatron101** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:43 pm

There is something special between the packers organization and the fans. Despite the fact that they are in a small market, and have had up and down seasons, they remain in Green Bay, and the fans remain loyal. I think one of the biggest keys to that is the fact that they are publicly owned.

It's wishful thinking to replicate that for each team in sports, but with the Sonics rich history in Seattle, I think if any other team could be successful in being publicly owned, it's this team.

Would the fans support this? What is the process to get a team to be publicly owned, and would the league ever approve it?

Post #2 » by **bennith13** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:46 pm

I would think that the fans would have to buy the team from Clay. I believe that the ownership has been public in Green Bay for the entire life of the franchise.

wiff · Post #3 » by **wiff** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:55 pm

I'm not trying to be a jerk because I do appreciate you posting in the Seattle forum Funkatron.

But honestly there should be no reason the Sonics would need to follow the Packers.

With recent light of Clay's e-mails and how he actually didn't really make a honest effort to try to work out a deal with the city. Along with 41 years of support Seattle has contributed to the NBA.

If the Owners and the rest of the league can't see what needs to be done and they allow the Sonics to leave, then quite frankly this isn't a league I want to support. And I never thought I'd be saying that, but worst of all, it will be a really easy decision too, since the way things have gone down in Seattle have been so slimy.

Supersonic · Post #4 » by **Supersonic** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:57 pm

Google the names Steve Ballmer (Micorsoft) and Jim Sinegal (Costco). They want to buy the Sonics and have pledged $350,000,000 of their own $ towards an arena. There is no good reason for the NBA to approve the move.

P.S. Boycott Starbucks and Seattle's Best Coffee!

erdamon · Post #5 » by **erdamon** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:49 pm

bennith13 wrote:I would think that the fans would have to buy the team from Clay. I believe that the ownership has been public in Green Bay for the entire life of the franchise.

The Packers were originally founded by Curly Lambeau in 1919 and were later incorporated in 1923. Part of what has kept them in Green Bay is that fact that in profits from selling the team have to go to charity based upon the original incorporation agreement. Used to be a monument to soldiers, not positive what it is now.

Another note is that the Packers current ownership is grandfathered into the NFL, but would otherwise be illegal under NFL ownership rules. I am not sure about NBA rules, but I would guess they have similar rules on the maximum number of owners and how the ownership %s are split.