G-Force

This may have been communicated elsewhere, but this is from an email the Sonics sent to season ticket holders this morning:

Statement by Clay Bennett, Chairman of The Professional Basketball Club, LLC,
on Lack of Action on Legislation Authorizing King County to Develop
a Multipurpose Events Center
This a staggering and quite likely a debilitating blow to our efforts to develop a world-class arena facility. Clearly at this time the Sonics and Storm have little hope of remaining in the Puget Sound region.
We believe we have gone to extraordinary lengths with significant time and resources to craft a proposal for a global caliber multi-purpose event facility that would be a valuable public asset for the region for years to come and have minimal impact on taxpayers. By its inaction the Legislature has delivered the message that they are indifferent to the notion of the Sonics and the Storm leaving the market.
We remain willing and available to work with the Governor and the Legislature to explore every conceivable funding option for the building. We are also receptive to analyzing any private financing mechanisms that are brought to our attention. But at this time we have no other concepts on the table.
We want to recognize Senator Margarita Prentice and Representative Eric Pettigrew for their courageous leadership in the Legislature. We also want to thank the good people of Renton who have enthusiastically supported these efforts. In addition, we wish to thank the many supporters and advocates who have worked hard on our behalf.
As owners we remain absolutely committed to restoring the Sonics to a championship caliber team ­– on this subject we will not waver. Further we are committed to delivering the very best fan experience and sponsor value that we can. We thank our fans, season ticket holders and sponsors from the bottom of our heart. We also thank our professional staff, our players and coaching staff, all of our friends who work at KeyArena and everyone who has believed in us.

Dunno what is going to come out of this, but I'm renewing my season tickets for next season.

G-Force

Chan

I bought a package this season. Biggest waste of money ever. Didn't even feel like going to half the games.

I think we're dead.

__________________
Hold on a sec, sweetie.

tha supes

I just read on the ESPN ticker that "Clay Bennett announces that Sonics will not play in Seattle after the 2007-2008 season"

Is that what this statement is about? And I assume that ESPN means Seattle as in Renton, Bellevue, and everything else.

So we've officially lost them?

__________________
__________________________________________________ _____
Looking for the end of the Championship drought: Seattle Seahawks (Never,Formed 1976), Seattle Mariners (Never,Formed 1977) -- 63 composite seasons since last championship.]

Chan

If they move to Renton or Bellevue, that would mean I'd have to leave the house around 5 and come back at 11 or so. No way in hell would I do that for a rebuilding team with nothing to build on.

__________________
Hold on a sec, sweetie.

edabomb

I reckon the best chance of them staying in the North West is if Oklahoma is delcared the gay capital of the USA.

__________________
CANBERRA Raiders and SEATTLE Sonics for life!!!!!

tha supes

Did anyone else see that on ESPN? Does that mean that we really did lose them?

__________________
__________________________________________________ _____
Looking for the end of the Championship drought: Seattle Seahawks (Never,Formed 1976), Seattle Mariners (Never,Formed 1977) -- 63 composite seasons since last championship.]

Carbo04

I'd say it's about 98% certain they are going to be gone for good from Seattle.

B_&_B

The Trail Blazers will welcome you Sonic fans with open arms after the team moves. As you know, we have Roy (Husky), Webster (Seattle HS), Dickau (Gonzaga), Paul Allen (owns Seahawks), and Nate McMillan (Sonic great).

__________________


"People say we are coming, but I almost think it's to the point where we are here," he said. "I think it's no longer coming. We are here now."... Brandon Roy.

edabomb

Yup I'd probably start going for Portland.

__________________
CANBERRA Raiders and SEATTLE Sonics for life!!!!!

pr0wler

I must admit that I might follow the Blazers more if Seattle moves away. Roy is one of my favourite players, then of course there's Nate, and the fact that Portland still is a northwest team. Also Portland is rumoured to be after Rashard Lewis now, so that makes it even easier to relate to a new team.

But when it's all said and done, I'd rather keep my Sonics

__________________
Rick Adelman on Danny Fortson...

"Fortson, that's all he does - makes free throws and pushes."


Danny Fortson in reference to the anonymous Sonic who tattle taled to the Seattle-Times...

"I think somebody on this team might have girlish characteristics that need to be turned into a man. Because if we're going to win, we need warriors. We don't need girls. Girls are for the dance team."


Fortson also said "he wouldn't doubt it" if there were a gay player in the NBA but hopes he's not a Sonic.

"That would be a bad deal," Fortson said. "He might want to keep that one in the closet."

Stinger

If the Sonics move away, I have high hopes that another NBA team will land in Seattle. David Stern's had a reputation of bringing NBA teams back to cities that lost them (ala Charlotte).

edabomb