New Ownership Rumblings

[wiff]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004252898_sonics01m.html

King County Executive Ron Sims, who met with Nickels on Wednesday, told various media outlets Thursday that he'd heard about three potential ownership groups interested in keeping the NBA in Seattle. But he said their plans would probably include luring a new NBA team after the Sonics leave for Oklahoma City.

I don't want the Hornets or the Grizz. I want the Sonics. There is no real reason for the Sonics to leave.

I don't care if the Grizz or the Hornets show up on the same afternoon the Sonics leave I'm still not watching another NBA game ever.

[D5150]

i am cautiously optimistic about this. i would really like to see the whole plan. if it is viable and has the support of the politicians, i don't see how the BOG and stern could allow the move at that point. however, just because you have a buyer doesn't mean you have a seller. there would have to be some kind of deal between the nba and bennett taht he could buy the grizz and move them immediatley.

[Bulltalk]

I still don't understand David Stern in this soap opera. Was he trying to goad the Seattle fans/business community/politicians into doing something, or had he truly given up on Seattle?

This whole thing has been a mess.

I hope this new push at least gives Seattle the appearance of viability in keeping the franchise.

[jenn_gp]

What pisses me off is that it seems like whenever there is any good news about trying to fix the Arena situation, the idea is made public too late, as legislation is set to go on break again in two weeks:

Some wise words from Margarita Prentice:

The local investment group would contribute $150 million toward a $300 million overhaul of KeyArena, sources said. Existing stadium taxes would be extended to raise another $75 million and the city of Seattle would contribute the remaining $75 million, possibly partially funded by bonding off arena revenues, such as leases and naming rights, according to sources.

Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said he couldn't comment on who was in the local ownership group and what efforts the city was making.

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said she had not been in direct discussions with anyone about the idea.

"I have heard that there is an ownership group and they are pursuing taxes; they want the state to pass on the current (hotel/motel, rental car and restaurant stadium) taxes," she said.

But with the Legislature scheduled to adjourn in two weeks, Brown said it would be nearly impossible to pass a bill for the Sonics this year.

"I don't see it," she said.

Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, said she was aware of a new ownership group that is trying to buy the Sonics.

"Desperation and reality brought clear thinking," she said. "This has been an ongoing process. If people would have been as willing to work with (former Sonics owner) Howard Schultz, we would never be in this predicament."

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/353 ... lks01.html

[elbowthrower]

Ron Sims needs to keep his trap shut.

This is just another example of idiotic things he's said over the years.

[jambalaya]

All the power brokers failed to do enough in recent years to assemble a deal including Schultz.

If he had made a firm upfront offer of a reasonable level private contribution (like the owners of the Seahawks and Mariners did) maybe Seattle and the state legislature would have eventually come around, but instead he went low ball on private contribution offer and only at the last minute and made the mistake of threatening too much. He lost and sold out of spite, the desire to take the money and the need to get back to Starbucks issues.

He took the failure to get his terms as a personal affront rather than see it was a rejection of terms slanted too far in his financial favor. He abandoned his self-assumed and proclaimed role as community trustee and sold out of state even though reportedly many of his partnership opposed that sale and may have been willing to work out an alternative but were not given time to do so. He is most responsible for the situation becoming what it is.

Other owners face delay on arenas. have to kick in more than they want, have to keep talking (one way or another sweet and/or tough) til the stars align. Schultz failed where almost every team owner eventually succeeds. Yes the public officials were pretty unresponsive and not pro-active solution leaders but his offer and attitude made it easy for them to be that way and ignore their own shortcomings.