Sonics moving to Oklahoma City

[Andrew]

So says David Stern

Sorry Seattle, there is no saving your Sonics.

That's the feeling of NBA commissioner David Stern, who said Saturday he expects the SuperSonics to leave the city, either this year or when their lease expires in 2010.

"It's apparent to all who are watching that the Sonics are heading out of Seattle," Stern said during his annual All-Star weekend press conference. "I accept that inevitability at this point. There is no miracle here."

That's a real shame for Sonics fans, especially when the future looks promising with Kevin Durant on board. I remember reading earlier statements by Stern that if the Sonics left town, there'd be little to no chance of Seattle getting another NBA franchise for the forseeable future as well.

[Scrazynet]

Yeah, that the story.

I´ve alse seen on a couple of sites that the sonics are heading to Oklahoma... while Seattle could get another bball team, also las vegas. So it would even up the nba teams on each conference.

There were rumours that the NEts could go to new york.. but it ain´t that easy in the bussiness.

[Andrew]

Stern previously indicated that if the Sonics left, Seattle would be without a team for the forseeable future. Other than that, it seems that Oklahoma City is the frontrunner to be the Sonics' new home.

I also thought that the Nets moving to Brooklyn was pretty much a done deal, though I could be mistaken.

[Silas]

Stern is in love with Clay Bennett, and that's not a good thing. Still, the Seattle officials and legislation hate both Stern and Bennett, so they're hopefully and likely going to fight tooth and nail to keep the Sonics in Seattle. That said, if the owner and Commissioner both want the Sonics gone, there's only so much they can do.

Still, I just have a feeling they wont move. If you remember, the Seahawks and Mariners were both VERY close to moving before getting new Stadiums (Safeco and Quest fields).

I think it's going to take someone to purchase the Sonics from Bennett to keep them here though.

[shadowgrin]

The Sonics should just trade for Korver. Everyone will be excited that there's no sense in moving.

[NNpF]

There were rumours that the NEts could go to new york.. but it ain´t that easy in the bussiness.

That's actually already a done deal.

[Scrazynet]

There were rumours that the NEts could go to new york.. but it ain´t that easy in the bussiness.

That's actually already a done deal.

True.
I wasn´t sure if they will play @ MSG. Apparenttly the knicks did not like the idea of they playing there.

[Indy]

You have no idea what you're talking about scrazynet. The Nets are moving to Brooklyn and building a stadium there.

[J@3]

You have no idea what you're talking about scrazynet.

That about sums it up.

[Chaser7]

I'm not really a Sonics fan, but I really don't want to see them leave Seattle. Going to OKlahoma makes no sense to me; Seattle is the 14th biggest Tv market, while OKlahoma city is 45th...
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_TV ... orts_teams

But, also I mean there is certain things as tradition. I know the Grizzlies moved, but they had barely been in Vancouver, and the Hornets were only in Charlotte for like 10 years, but the Sonics have been there for over 40 years... I don't know how to explain it, but I just really wish Clay Bennet would keep the team in Seattle..

[Andrew]

It comes down to the arena issue though. It wouldn't be the first time an NBA team and their host city have clashed over such a matter and it won't be the last.

[Silas]

Its horrible, truly horrible. The only people that really adamentaly want them to leave are Stern, Bennet, and Oklahoma, everyone else, for the most part, is in support of keeping them in Seattle, as they should be.

Unfortunately, these men do not seem to listen to public opinion. Who knows what could happen though. If they have to honor their lease, they have two more seasons to figure things out, and with Durant's development and a good pick in the draft, plus free agent signings, they could be successful and that could change things dramatically.

I think this discussion will be different if they have to honor their Key Arena lease.

[Andrew]

I still don't get how Stern is the boogeyman here. I know it fits the "big, bad, power hungry commissioner" stereotype and everyone loves a conspiracy theory but if city officials won't foot the bill for a new arena, aren't they at least partly responsible for the falling out?

[Andrew]

While it looks as though Oklahoma City is becoming a reality with the city approving a tax extension to pay for upgrades and a new practice facility and NBA officials visiting the city as part of the relocation request, supposedly Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is involved in a bid to buy the Sonics to keep them in Seattle as well as footing the bill to expand and upgrade the facilities at KeyArena.

[Silas]

You are right, remember, this is the same thing that happened both with the Mariners and Seahawks and they both stayed. I remain hopeful.

[jonthefon]

Didn't Seattle residents have to pay a whole lotta taxes to pay for both Safeco and Qwest? It loosk like if KeyArena is to be renovated by the city, it will take a lot of funds again.

So would privately funded renovation be better?

[Andrew]

That's why I don't get how it's all David Stern's fault the Sonics could be moving. Obviously the NBA can deny a team's request to relocate but they can't stop them from making that request in the first place. Likewise, it's not Stern's fault if there's issues with the funding to renovate KeyArena because that decision is out of his hands.

That said, I hope for Sonics fans there's a chance for this effort to succeed. Newcastle has lost both its NBL teams in the past decade due to financial problems which is one of the reasons I find it so hard to get into the local league (though certainly not the only one) so I've experienced that same kind of disappointment, to some extent. Of course, not being a diehard NBL fan, I admittedly didn't feel quite as passionate about it as Sonics fans do about their team.

[Andrew]

Sonics reach agreement with OK City.

Not a very encouraging sign for the effort to keep the Sonics in Seattle past 2009, assuming they don't get out of the KeyArena lease early.

[JT_55]

First the Grizzles, now the Sonics. What does basketball have against this side of the Pacific Coast?

[Donatello]

<sigh> Gonna plan a short vacation up to Seattle to catch a Sonics game before they're gone.

[Andrew]

That might still be another year yet. I imagine it would be very difficult for Sonics fans in Seattle to get excited about any success they have next season, if moving to Oklahoma City for the 2010 season is still inevitable.

[shadowgrin]

Buy Sonics merchandise, it will be worth something.

[Andrew]

That's good news for the old Kemp jersey I own.

[shadowgrin]

A Cleveland/Portland jersey spray painted in green?

It's good to see though that items from The Reignman's glory days are now worth something after his fall from basketball grace, even if the Sonics' name is the one that gives most of its value.

[Andrew]

Not at all, a Sonics jersey with the design circa 1996.