Chan

I have a funny, maybe foolish, feeling that the Sonics will end up staying in the same spot, with the old arena. All these proposed deals are falling apart.

1). Clay Bennett has already stated that Oklahoma is a small market, and I think their earning potential will be higher in Seattle. Also, the team's value will go down if they move to a smaller market.

2). The Renton deal fell apart. Don't have a link for this, but it was reported that they do not have a deal down there. (I need confirmation on this, which I don't have.)

3). David Stern shot down the Vegas idea faster than Charles Heston did Bambi. If anyone heard his comments on national TV, you could tell he wasn't going to let that happen, and his word is law.

The Sonics are a financially losing team, but it doesn't look like they have any other options. They could lose money in a big market or a small market. Does anyone else have this feeling?

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RebelSun

The situation is a mess and it has to be tough on both Bennett and Sonics fans, who both want the franchise to be successful in Seattle. The legislature apparently has little regard for the team and a possible new multi-purpose arena, the latter I imagine would interest them. I think that the ownership group is really trying to keep the team there, but they just simply can't afford to stand pat forever; especially when places like OKC, Kansas City, and Vegas are clamoring for a team.

I think at this point, given the complete lack of support from city/state legislation and relocation options available, the Sonics will be playing their home games elsewhere else in two years.

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Jacoby_Ellsbury

Didn't the owner already say that the Sonics won't be in Seattle after 2007-08?

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Chan

Yes, but there are simply no other options. Does anyone honestly think they can make more money in OKC than Seattle?

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Zuca

I hope that when they leave Seattle, at least Stern bring a D-League team to this city, as a "consolation prize"...

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rainman

Let me reiterate that 9 out 10 fans i know never thought there was a problem with the Key for basketball, this is all about greedy people wanting to make more money than they already are, good riddance.

MojoBen

Sounds like Kansas City has really put there hat into the race. Bigger population base and atleast a $250+ million dollar new arena. I know OKC has always been considered the fav, but with KC entering the race it should get very interesting.

Doesn't OKC have to up there arena to land a team? I know Clay is from OKC, but still that is only a $90 million dollar arena. KC can make the Sonics a possible revenue and also has all their suits sold out already (70+).

Chan

Link please?

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MojoBen

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/117995.html

This is the link from the Kansas City Star today. It is still thought OKC is the fav, but things can change quickly with what KC and the Sprint Center can offer.

Carbo04

Well they are getting Durant and that's a good start on trying to stay in Seattle.

MojoBen

Another thing that would be a big sell for KC is the fact that Durant is already a big hit in the KC area (BIG XII and his awesome play against KU). Secondly with Nick Collison on roster will play big with the Kansas crowd. If nbadraft.net is anything correct, then having Brandon Rush fall to the Sonics in the first pick of the 2nd round would also be a huge draw since he is a Kansas player and KCMO kid.

Chan

Interesting development. But I doubt Durant and Collison being well liked by KC will factor into Bennett's decision.

Ultimately, I think it's going to be about earning potential, and Seattle has more of that than any city mentioned. Even Vegas. Seattle has Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, the ports, and one of the most active immigrant communities in America. At least, rich immigrants. To move away from all this because the team is losing money right now (because they are losing games, so no one wants to watch), is an incredibly short-sighted decision, and will bite Bennett in the *** in the long run. And I think Bennett knows this.

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MojoBen

Well I wasn't meaning the fact Durant and Collison being in KC makes any difference to Bennett, but moreso the fans of KC. Sure getting any team would be big for KC, but giving them a product with such players like Durant and Collison would be a immediate hit with the locals.