Clay Bennett Reflects On Thunder's First Year In Oklahoma City
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Bennett Says He Has Lost Much Of His Privacy
Since Becoming An NBA Team Owner |
One year after Thunder Owner Clay Bennett "delivered the Sonics to Oklahoma City, only now is Bennett grasping the ramifications of his decision to join one of American capitalism's most exclusive fraternities," according to Berry Tramel of the DAILY OKLAHOMAN. Bennett was "Public Enemy No. 1" in Seattle. Bennett: "As difficult as all that was (in Seattle), it is now outweighed by how proud I am of what we've done [in Oklahoma City], and it's just the beginning." Bennett added, "I've certainly lost much of my privacy. I've been changed. I hope at the end of the day, it will be a positive change. I've learned to become more disciplined, more thoughtful. ... I certainly wasn't ready for the national spotlight, which turned out to be intense and difficult." Bennett said that he has "come to realize he must step away from time to time, that he is expendable," and that the Thunder have "plenty of bright minds to make quality decisions." Bennett: "What an extraordinary experience it's been. This has been the most energizing, exhilarating work I've ever done" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 7/2). In Oklahoma City, Mike Baldwin notes there are "hundreds of sky blue Thunder T-shirts throughout the city, ESPN highlights refer to Oklahoma City and fans on talk radio are discussing the draft lottery, the draft and how soon the Ford Center might be hosting NBA playoff games." Baldwin: "What a difference a year makes." Bennett: "Last year ended with us dragging ourselves across the finish line on our elbows. Now we have a chance to stand on our feet, know more about our team, our fans and our relationship with the community" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 7/2).
THEY DESERVE IT: In Seattle, Jerry Brewer writes of Oklahoma City, "I still think the market is too small for long-term NBA success unless the Thunder becomes a perennial contender. Nevertheless, I'm now convinced that Oklahoma City deserves an NBA franchise. It's just too bad it had to be ours." There is a "civic pride" in Oklahoma City that "had evaporated in Seattle because of the shady way the Sonics' relocation happened." If Bennett "pays to retain his players" and GM Sam Presti "creates a winner, the Thunder will have a chance to be more than just the average small-market team" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/2).
LONG ROAD BACK: The TIMES' Brewer writes the "reality now is that it will take a very rich, determined and charismatic person to bring NBA basketball back to Seattle." Sounders FC play-by-play announcer and former Sonics announcer Kevin Calabro: "Once you move out of the market, it's hard to get a foothold again. It's not like the NBA can just come back when it wants to, and we're going to suddenly get excited because LeBron's coming to town. We've done that" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/2).
COURT REPORT: In Seattle, Percy Allen reports U.S. District Court Judge Richard Jones "certified a class-action lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of three former Sonics season-ticket holders who are claiming the team breached a contract when it moved to Oklahoma City and didn't allow them to repurchase tickets." Jones' 19-page order was "expected, but it may still be a significant blow" to Bennett's ownership group, the Professional Basketball Club, which "would be liable to pay as much as $7[M] in damages if it loses." Jones will "let a jury decide if roughly 1,200 Emerald Club members who renewed season tickets in 2007-08 at KeyArena on the promise of a three-year fixed price are entitled to damages because the team moved to Oklahoma City and the ownership group didn't allow them to renew tickets at the Ford Center at the same price the following two years" (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/2).
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