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October 2008
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The Associated Press uncovered a brief for the Sonics lease trial. In it, the Sonics ownership claims that $10 million is enough for them to cover the last two years of the KeyArena lease agreement. Huh, I'm not if that's insulting, accurate, or just short sighted by the team. In an April deposition, Clay Bennett believes the team will lose up to $65 million if the team stays for the final two years of the lease. But they could make up to $19 million if they move to OKC this season. That's nearly a $85 million swing. But yet he's offering $10 million to leave. Obviously, I'm not an owner, nor a billionaire, but if I'm trying to get out of something and feeling like a "man possessed", I might take a bold step and tell the City of Seattle about the $85 million swing and ask for some sort of fair compromise to move my (Clay's) team to OKC. But that would force the Bennett group to be something it, allegedly, really hasn't been since buying the team...honest and forthcoming.
The brief cited a survey taken by the polling firm Field Research in November, 2007 -- just after Bennett announced he was applying to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season. The survey said 66 percent of Seattle's residents believe it would make no difference to them if the team left or they would be "better off." I'm just curious about how thorough the firm was in polling people. Why right after Bennett said he was moving the team? (That was rhetorical) Is there another poll to compare it with? Maybe find a poll from a different season, like right after the 1996 Finals...or even right now? Or ask if those 66 percent cared about a Clay Bennett-less Sonics? Or ask those 66 percent if they liked the Seahawks now like they liked them back in 1992 when they were 2-14? (although Cortez Kennedy was the man that year...winning the Defensive Player of the year on a 2-14 team) Or how does that 66 percent feel about the Mariners, right now? All I'm saying is, it's just a number that irks me...because, at this time, there's context to the poll.
6 Comments |
I say not only let them go but, we should kick them out sooner. They should pack their stuff up and leave tomorrow.
I'm glad they're leaving and, since I'm the only comment on your stupid whinefest blog, I guess you're right that the 66% is wrong. It seems to be more towards the 100%
I think you forget that not more than 6 months ago Clay offered a very generous 32 million plus the team name and colors. Unfortunately our city had to throw a hissy fit and has now screwed ourselves out of any other reasonable offer that might come in the future. It is a raw deal, but it is happening and now we need to worry about the future because David Stern will never allow another team in Seattle because of the way our city has handled this situation.
I think you forget that not more than 6 months ago Clay offered a very generous 32 million plus the team name and colors. Unfortunately our city had to throw a hissy fit and has now screwed ourselves out of any other reasonable offer that might come in the future. It is a raw deal, but it is happening and now we need to worry about the future because David Stern will never allow another team in Seattle because of the way our city has handled this situation.
I think you forget that not more than 6 months ago Clay offered a very generous 32 million plus the team name and colors. Unfortunately our city had to throw a hissy fit and has now screwed ourselves out of any other reasonable offer that might come in the future. It is a raw deal, but it is happening and now we need to worry about the future because David Stern will never allow another team in Seattle because of the way our city has handled this situation.
Clay ought to nicely ask his wife to write him a check for the amount of debt left on the Key Arena renovation ($50m or so). In exchange, Seattle and Howard Schultz drop their lawsuits. Clay moves to OKC.
"But that would force the Bennett group to be something it, allegedly, really hasn't been since buying the team...honest and forthcoming."
You have no idea how legal remedies work. You just showed your complete ignorance, and you think you're landing a jab. Sad really...but what to expect from a "journalist" these days...