SuperSonics Are Moving: Confirmed by David Stern
The SeattleSuper are no longer going to be playing in Seattle after this season says David Stern. I was reading some local NW rags and I stumbled upon this article from the Tacoma News Tribune. Now I am not sure if anyone else has reported on it or not. But it looks like this thing is official.
In the commissioners words he is quoted saying “the Seattle SuperSonics are moving to greener pastures.”
In his strongest statement concerning the team’s bleak future in Seattle, during his annual press conference at All-Star Weekend, Stern essentially said the team will relocate to Oklahoma City, either after this season, or in two years if forced by court order to fulfill the remainder of the team’s lease at KeyArena.
Further, Stern said the Sonics ownership group this week offered to pay for the final years of the lease agreement, along with money still owed on the construction bond used to refurbish KeyArena in 1994, an amount nearing $30 million.
Stern said the Sonics’ offer was turned down.
“I accept the inevitability at this point,” Stern said, when asked if he was convinced the Sonics would leave Seattle. “There is no miracle here.”
However, according to information obtained by The News Tribune, the city reportedly asked for the Sonics to submit a buyout offer this week. Marty McOmber, spokesman for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, said he was not aware if someone from the city had asked the Sonics to submit an offer.
“It’s completely inappropriate for Commissioner Stern to be revealing conversations between lawyers, period,” McOmber said. “Any offer that has been made has was completely inadequate to cover the losses and damages as a result of losing the Sonics. This is apparently some sort of collusion by David Stern and Clay Bennett to hijack this team and take them to Oklahoma City.”
Stern spoke at length about Seattle’s situation during his 40-minute talk, and seemed resigned to the Sonics playing elsewhere, even if a current court case between Seattle and the Sonics is ruled in the city’s favor. That court case is scheduled to begin June 16.
“We know how to observe court orders and we do a pretty good job of that,” Stern said. “So if the court says if they are not free to just pay and leave, then they won’t just pay and leave. But if they are, then they will be gone.”
Dan Mahoney, a spokesman for Bennett, declined to comment on Stern’s statements or the team’s buyout offer.
“It’s apparent to all who are watching that the Sonics are heading out of Seattle,” Stern said.
So this is pretty shocking news to me. I have always been a fan of the Seattle franchise, its always fun when they come down and play the Blazers. But I think this is something that just has to be done. I do not know what it will do to Kevin Durant and the rest of the team, but as a franchise a smaller venue will work out a little bit better for their business model. The city really is not cooperating so it is best to cut and run.
So what do you all think of this?
Tags: NBA, Seattle Supersonics, SOLD