Bennett Indicates He May Try To Move Sonics, Storm After ’08

Sonics Could Be On Way Out Of Seattle After ‘08

Sonics and WNBA Storm Owner Clay Bennett said that the teams “may try to leave the state before their KeyArena leases expire in 2010” after the Washington state Legislature elected not to vote on public funding for an arena in Renton, according to Brunner & Thomas of the SEATTLE TIMES. Bennett said that the clubs “probably” will stay in Seattle through ’08, but he “made no promises, saying he’ll ‘evaluate all of our options.’” Bennett added that he will “continue to abide by the agreement he signed last year,” requiring a “good faith” effort until October 31 to secure an arena deal. However, he said Gov. Christine Gregoire indicated to him that a special legislative session will not be called. NBA Commissioner David Stern said of the team staying in the Seattle area, “We are looking for a miracle, but it doesn’t look good.” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said that he “has received no signal from Bennett that a move is imminent” (SEATTLE TIMES, 4/18). Bennett said it is possible to keep his October 31 deadline for an arena deal while looking for relocation sites. Bennett: “We’re going to work hard and be open and available to any ideas that come forward (concerning the proposed arena). But we have to, at the same time, begin the (relocation) process” (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 4/18).

Sonics’ KeyArena Lease Does Not Expire Until 2010

BREAKING KEYARENA LEASE: Responding to Bennett saying he may relocate the Sonics before the team’s lease expires, Marty McOmber, a spokesperson for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, said, “We have an enforceable lease that is in place until 2010” (SEATTLE TIMES, 4/18). Bennett said he met with “investment professionals” in N.Y. to discuss “creative ideas” for the team and arena, but did not offer details. He said getting out of the KeyArena lease could become a “legal exercise” with Seattle. Bennett said, “We will play in KeyArena next year. However, I must say if we can’t find a way to get this building done, I have to look at the survival of this business” (SEATTLE P-I, 4/18).

REAX: In Seattle, Art Thiel writes, “No matter how light the tax touch and how versatile the building, few legislators want to squander political capital on a controversial issue that is so easy to demonize with misinformation, stereotypes and nonsense.” It is up to Bennett, his investors and the NBA “to provide solutions,” although Bennett “now has no excuse not to consider taking on local minority partners” (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 4/18). A Tacoma NEWS-TRIBUNE editorial states the area’s “love affair with the Sonics is all but over. ... We didn’t notice a sense of general crisis in the Puget Sound region following [Bennett’s] pronouncement” (Tacoma NEWS-TRIBUNE, 4/18). Also in Tacoma, John McGrath writes, “Take your teams to Oklahoma City, Mr. Bennett. ... Just leave the nicknames and the logos and the records, so the 40-year history of the NBA in Seattle can pick up where it left off” (Tacoma NEWS-TRIBUNE, 4/18). A SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER editorial states, “If there’s anyone to blame for the utter ridiculousness of this situation it’s the league as well as the team’s management. And it might be our fault for indulging professional athletes” (SEATTLE P-I, 4/18).