Bennett's Attorneys Oppose Sonics Fans' Bid For Class-Action Suit

Bennett's Attorneys File Opposition To Fans' Class-Action Bid In Suit Against Ownership Group

Attorneys for Oklahoma City NBA team Owner Clay Bennett Monday filed an "opposition to a fan group's bid for a class-action suit against" Bennett's ownership group, noting that "each Sonics supporter had different reasons for purchasing tickets last season," according to Greg Johns of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. Attorney John Tondini argued in his opposition to the class certification motion that "even the three specific fans listed in the suit presented unique cases and can't be lumped together." The fans alleged that they were "misled by Bennett's marketing efforts promising a three-season price freeze if they renewed their tickets, with [Bennett's ownership group] failing to indicate their desire to break the lease prior to that financial commitment." The fans are seeking a "return of their money for last season's tickets as well as any additional damages." The fans' attorneys have "about a week now to respond" to Bennett's motion that the class "not be certified by Judge Richard Jones, who ultimately will decide if the case should proceed." A second class certification motion also is being heard and seeks the "wider class of 1,387 fans under the breach of contract claim, while the first focused on only a 349-member group of ticket holders who renewed prior to the NBA's approval" of the former Sonics' move to Oklahoma City. Tondini said in the filing, "It is readily apparent that the reasons why each of those 349 persons renewed for 2007-08 are highly personal and not susceptible to class treatment" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 7/30).