Not only No but Hell NO! Unless the agreement is that Bennett is selling the team back to Schultz.

Hopefully Bennett will pay all court costs incurred by the City of Seattle and pay all monies owed in the lease. Then. . .sadly. . .let 'em go. The citizens of this town don't need the angst--war in Iraq, price of gas, lame, lame Administration, unemployment----------all should come way before we continue to support multimilliondollar babies.

Sounds like teh City Sold us down the river for a few extra bucks.

I agree with W D Osmer - the only agreeable settlement would be if Bennett was selling the team back to Schultz.

The shame is that this could have happened before about $4 million was paid to attorneys and the court system was tied up. What ever happened to reasoned negotiations?

Howard Stern the commish of the NBA ruins everything

The only agrement to be reached is when Bennett will write the check to pay off the lease in full and how many moving vans it will take to get the overpaid losers out of town. I am beyond tired of using taxpayer dollars to fund luxuries for the rich. The average guy can't afford to take his family to a game, but is expected to foot the bill for glamorous stadiums!

They should have settled a long time ago. This city is so poorly managed its ridiculous. They can't figure out what to do with the viaduct, they cry and moan about the sonics leaving and waste a bunch of time and money, they almost lost the mariners a few years ago and the seahawks almost made it outta here too..then there is the Tim Eyman fiasco..it just goes on and on..

let 'em go to where people want them and where they will be properly managed..

I wish the best to Clay Bennett and the Oklahoma City SoonerSonics!

WHY THE HELL DID THEY SETTLE!!!!

God I hate Clay Bennett!!!

I kind of find it funny how people are so mad at Bennett (rightfully so) but very few blame the city. We all knew the second he bought the team they were gone but like Jack said above the city has been just as much (if not more so) to blame than Bennett. The politicians are totally brain dead when it comes to anything in this city.

If we are about to learn that the city just wasted millions hammering out an 11th hour deal that could have been negotiated months ago, then I suggest we send along with one of the worst teams in the NBA, one of the worst group of elected officials ever to be involved in a high level sports deal. Oklahoma is likely getting ready laugh really hard--as they welcome their new team.

It is all the city's fault, poor decisions all over the place.
they wasted time and money!!!
bummer to see the tema go.

the fans need to file a law suit agenst the city if they settle. how can they distroy the history of the seattle supersonics?

Figures....all this trouble, money and upset fans. Good luck Mayor Nickles if it wasn't a good deal.

I say let the sonics go. Please everyone be patient we will get another team!!

Hopefully this settlement involves Seattle getting another team. I did hear that Howard Schultz was part of the settlement talks, so just maybe Bennet will stay for the last two years if he will be getting a team to move to oklahoma in two years and not the sonics.

LET'S ALL GET MAD AT THE PERSON WHO STARTED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE HOWARD SCHULTZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, why did we settle? After all the trouble of the trial. What a waste... can we name the idiots involved, I think we can. Nickels, Bennet, and Stern, oh my! It will be a shame to lose the Sonics regardless of the poor team that Bennet and his boys built.
If you think we will ever have a team in the near future, don't count on it. The NBA and Stern are really the ones to blame if they think they can let a team leave Seattle and move to Oklahoma where they will rot in oblivion.

Let's all get mad at the person who started this in the first place Howard Schultz!

This is a complete and utter gutless move on the sonics part. Four generations of sonics fans in my family. I'm brought to tears by this news. RIP Seattle Supersonics. It's been a great ride.

I hope Clay Bennet and the other new owners have to pay through the nose and lose money on their investment. This madness with player salaries and millionnaire owners being supported by tax dollars has to stop! Tax dollars should not be used to support multi millionaires and their toys. Good riddance to the Sonics - can Oklahoma take the Mariners and Seahawks too?

the nba is corrupt, and was responsible for the worst record for seattle last year. this will come out the truth always does. *NBA WITH UNCLEAN HANDS* headline would change the whole thing. Stop i cant take it any more.......bring back the sonics please.

ps does your down arrow work on this stupid website?

Our stupid city officials never wanted them to stay anyways. They played the game to play the game in front of the eyes of the media... And, then parlayed it into a sum of money. They folded like the sally, dimwitted, politicians we all know they are. Good god I hope that useless dipstick "5 pennies" doesn't get re-elected.

Best of luck Schultz.

I don't understand how the Ford Center
in OKC is NBA caliber, but Key Arena is
not? I live in OKC, and the Ford Center
screams low budget every where you look with
high school quality amenities and
concessions. The Hornets thrived there,
but tickets were $10 each. You can't pay
NBA salaries on that!

I love all these clowns dissing sports when our local goverment was responsible for a giant budget shortfall and hands out money left and right for social welfare and riff raff that will never contribute. Spare us your non-sports fan liberal ranting.

It is time that the citizens of Seattle realize the idiots they elected to represent them are not doing their job. Do not blame Clay Bennet, try looking at the city officials that caused this problem in the first place. How can anyone continue to vote for totally out of touch Moronic politicians like 5 penny's. Perhaps that is all you should expect, 5 cents worth of hot air.

Its being reported on ESPN that Bennett is having to pay 75 million to the city and then he doesnt have to pay all of that if we get another team. This is going down as the darkest day in seattle history when we are losing our team without a guarantee for a new one.

I agree with the people before, the politicians for the city of Seattle in this should be strung up and flogged. Clay Bennet should be tarred and featherd and David Stern should have his tongue cut out , stripped of his position and send them both off on a boat of Stern's synthetic basketballs for destroying the professional sport of basketball.

With a liberal minded city like Seattle, it's not about the fans, the history, or the fun. It's all about the money, and the fans were SOLD OUT.

Clay Bennett did not become incredibly wealthy by making bad business decisions. By agreeing to this, he stopped losing money and can now focus on moving his team. He'll make back his money and much. much more. Who cares that it cost Bennett 75M? Seattle leads the nation at dreaming up new and imaginative ways to squander money. Hey, maybe they'll build a commuter train or something.

Bennett made us look stupid.

Nickels and Gregoire - we will remember it was under YOUR watch that you let the Sonics leave the state. There is a lot of blame to go around, but only you two can be voted out.

The settlement tells me our city and state does not care about the Seattle Supersonic fans and they sure don't care about our 40 year history. It is a very sad day in the state of Washington oh wait the state is happy they just got 75 million only the sonic fans are left to cry

Hey...for 75 million and the 150 that balmer would have added we could almost buy a new stadium. i'd be happy to fork over another 75 million from the city if that's all it took to get the sonics to stay.

Great! Bye-bye Clay Bennett and the Sonics. We will get a new basketball team 2 years from now and $75 million downpayment for a new arena.

Mr. Paul Allen, please move the Blazers to Seattle. Thanks.

Oh, are they still here?
I can't wait for them to leave!!

Another fine example of local government selling out the people. But lets get real, since when has city hall really listened to what we Seattle resident's have to say? I don't ever recall voting whether or not I wanted to spend my tax dollars on red light cameras either. If it means more money in their coffers, they'll support it. Afterall, they need more money to spend on imaginary projects like the Monorail and the Viaduct.

Its really too bad the Nickels legacy will be losing the Sonics and I really worry that Gregoire will not recover due to losing the votes of Sonics fans like me who found her indifference insulting.

I guess the type of bags we get at grocery stores and whether we get bottled water instead of tap water were more important.

Oh, let's boycott Starbucks!

petsan said:
Oh, are they still here?
I can't wait for them to leave!!

You sir, are a douchbag. Go watch the mariners or something. Their level of play is on par with this comment.

I say we're setting up the Portland Trailblazers to come up I-5 to their new home in Seattle. Why not?!?!? We have local boy Paul Allen who is their owner. Steve Ballmer wanted to try to affect a buy out. Now he can talk to his good friend. We'll have Nate McMillan back in the fold. I say push to steal the Trailblazers. What does Portland have to offer anyway?!?!?!?

David Stern has said, and will repeatedly say and make sure, that Seattle will not have another team in the near future.

The city of Seattle has epically failed. No matter how much the politicians want to have a team, it is not up to them. And that is where they lost.

All I have to say is it is an incredibley sad day in our cities history. Our leaders are spineless and deserve to be voted out... Yes I'm talking to you Greg Nickels. BOYCOTT STARBUCKS FOREVER!!!!!!
Goodbye Sonics, RIP, and thanks for the memories.

I think this city is run by a bunch of uneducated idiots that have nothing better to do then earmark monies for silly little walk ways, or adding those electronic signs on the freeway that tell you how long it will take to get from here to there. Hello...ever heard of KIRO 1000. Nichols has no clue and neither does Gregoire. Have these people not lived in Seattle all their lives and seen the revenue that sports brings to this city? What a shame to have such weak people running our city. Especially you Nichols. What a wus. Shame on all of you

to the previous petsan, go back to your knitting you fool. sports are great when not all about money. the fans should sue the city. wait didnt jordan take in 65 mil one year. bunk to 75 mil.

We can barely afford to put food on our tables after being gouged with the current gas prices and now we expected to pay for renovation of Key Arena for over paid prima donnas. Hell no. We have more important issues in the city such as the viaduct for starters. I love basketball, and all sports, but it's time to realize that play time comes after the work is over, and Seattle has alot of work issues to address before basketball.

okc will fail to keep the team. maby a tornado will take out ford stadium first. greg nicoles is a fool and will not be back. what an idiot.

I say let them go.They would have left in 2 years anyways.This might open the door now for Seattle to get an existing NBA team that could be for sale alot sooner than waiting 2 years.

July 2, 2008 5:09 PM

David Johnson said:
We can barely afford to put food on our tables after being gouged with the current gas prices and now we expected to pay for renovation of Key Arena for over paid prima donnas. Hell no. We have more important issues in the city such as the viaduct for starters. I love basketball, and all sports, but it's time to realize that play time comes after the work is over, and Seattle has alot of work issues to address before basketball.

Um, maybe you didn't notice, but gas prices have nothing to do with our former basketball team. I already pay for a baseball stadium I could care less about... why can't I pay for a nba stadium I want to pay for?

If you really have faith in our local government to address the viaduct, let alone anything else, I've got some land for you to buy in Florida.

Viva le Howard Schultz's lawsuit! (Not him)

Here they go...and we all knew it was coming.
Tax payers money.
That's where it will come from.
And people have said, over and over, with a resounding NO.
For a team, a way of life, they can not even guarantee.

what rape another city of a team just like bhole. dude seattle screwed again in sports. i say revenge in the order of taking on the nba, they cheated and have been for years. by the way our sports news is the worst in the nation. bunch of selfserving bunk.

I don't have faith in local government Cale, what I'm saying is that there are more important issues to address that updated arena for another sports franchise. We don't need it any more than I need or believe in your Florida land. Sounds like you should run for political office.

IF OKC WANTED A NBA TEAM SO BAD, WHY COULDNT THEY GET AN EXPANSON TEAM? NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND AN EXPANSION TEAM. THAT DOESNT MAKE ANY SENSE. SEATTLE IS A CITY THAT DESERVES TO HAVE A TEAM STAY, NOT AN REBUILD WITH AN EXPANSION. WHY TAKE ANOTHER CITIES TEAM? NOW I REALLY HATE OKLAHOMA! IT DOESNT EVEN LOOK RIGHT WITH THOSE HICKS WEARING THE SONICS JERSIES!!!

This is probably THE worst settlement ever. $30 million IF Key Arena is remodeled and no other team becomes available. So the legislater is held hostage to remodel or the money does not come through. And the cost to receive that money? Ttrust me it will be far more than $30 million. This is a total sell out. Mayor Nickels you have lost my support and any future vote in your favor.

I only hope Clay bent it takes that low life traitor Howard Schultz with him. OH YA BOYCOTT STARBUCKS

My heart is broken. Now we need to hold the City
to their promise to have another NBA team in Seattle within 5 years. The sooner, the better.
Never the less, my heart is sad and empty. Clay Bennett is a liar and a cheat.

Nichols sells out the city! Dirty rat! He takes the money, the local business owners get nothing, the fans get nothing, and he agrees that we have to put up tax payers money to get a new team. He's a rat!

Maybe they will be called the Oklahoma city Inbreads

Stern and Bennett are absolute tools and Nichols and Gregoire let one go right through the five hole. Now the city/ citizens have had their team stolen from them. With that said Seattle will be fine. An NBA team will return within 3 years and OK will never be able to support an NBA team.

Guess contacts are worth the paper they were written on...Judges are suppose to honor contracts between grown adults. YES?

The Mariners front office must be running Seattle. Are you kidding??? I have been a season ticket holder for 25 years. I feel like someone just died in my family. The political leaders of this region are going to pay with their jobs!!! This is a sell out!!

Seattle Supersonics: 1967-2008 RIP :(-

To David J.

I would run, but I would never get elected for numerous reasons:

1) wasn't born into a rich family or have millions of dollars

2) actually have a brain

3) would actually be interested in doing the peoples wishes instead of getting myself re-elected

Yea, you caught me! I don't own anything in Florida. ;}

The best name for the new Oklahoma team would be the Oklahoma Raiders, as they have been called for a while around here.

I seem to remember two other stadiums that have been built in Seattle over the past 10 years. I also believe that a large amount of the cost of these facilities was put up by the tax payers. Why then are these same tax payers complaining that the Sonics are leaving, who do we have to blame but ourselves ? If the taxpayers would have voted for a new arena ( like the Seahawks and Mariners ) got, then we wouldnt be having this discussion.

Schultz is getting what he deserves now by having to close 600 Starbucks and I'm sure its just the start for him. But please everyone vote out our elected officials and give them what they deserve starting with our crappy govenor.

BOYCOTT THE NBA DON"T TRAVEL OR BUY ANY OKLAHOMA GOODS.

Screw Nickels, Schultz, Gregoire and the rest of the weasels who gave up and gave into that redneck chump. His intentions were clear from the start but no one had the balls to stand up and stop him. They should all be ashamed and I hope not a single one of them get re-elected. As for Bennett and David Stern, I hope those slimy bastards get what is coming to them. I hope the NBA goes belly up and Stern goes to jail for corruption. I hope the Okies stink worse then any team ever and they get no attendance and lose their ass. Screw all of this! Clay go F' yourself!

To Steve F.

Do a little research guy. The public actually didn't want the M's stadium either, but they found a way to get around it that time.

This would not have happened had Howard Schultz thought about selling the team a little harder. Why would a guy coming all the way from Oklahoma City want to keep the team in Seattle? It is upsetting that Clay Bennett has betrayed the original agreement to keep the Sonics in Seattle, but this could have been prevented had Schultz stayed loyal to the team and the Sonics community. We need an owner like Mark Cuban.

This is a terrible day for sports in Seattle. We had a naive...or desperate..owner (Schultz) who sold the Sonics to Bennett. What did you think was going to happen when you sell to an ownership group from Oklahoma City? Also, the legislators in Olympia sat on their hands when the negotiations began...and said it was "too late" in the session to discuss...would they have had the same reaction if they were talking about a pay increase?? And finally I blame the vast majority of Seattlites, who decided that they didn't really want the team or improve Key Arena if they had to pay a few more cents in taxes...the "Tim Eyeman" syndrome, I call it. It was just a continuation of taxes that were already in place...but the public still didn't want to approve such a measure. And you wonder why the infrastructure (i.e., services -- police, traffic, bridges, etc.) of the city are in dire straits.

Nichols has diarreha spilling out of his mouth. The politicians should pack up with the Sonics. None of them will be re-elected.

No brains, no heart, no courage. This really is the Emerald City.

As sad as I am to see the end of this era with the Seattle Supersonics there are more important things going on in our world than sports that we can't even afford to attend. Too bad all the money wasted over this wasn't better invested in the city and it's homeless, or building better transportation.

Schultz is getting what he deserves having to close 600 Starbucks and I'm sure its just the start Now please give our elected officials what they deserve booted out of office starting with that crappy Govenor. And hey how about sharing some of those millions you are going to recieve for selling out with all those businesses that will be going out of business soon. Way to run a city!

Sorry, folks. More important things to deal with in the world than grown men paid too much to play a game. JMHO

If the Mayor thinks the state should be pay for the upgrades to get another team... he's nuts!!! The City of Seattle needs to learn its not entitled to the state's general fund. We were hit with Safeco, we were hit with the Viaduct, and now they're trying to hit us (the rest of the state) with the Sonics arena. Give me a break. This state is out of control and it's time to clean house... city, county, and state!

So you don't like the Sonics being stolen?

There is one politically pragmatic solution.

Get rid of the Democrats in Olympia who have shown no political leadership on this issue.

Fire Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Re-Elect Dino Rossi.

Sonic Boomer said:
As sad as I am to see the end of this era with the Seattle Supersonics there are more important things going on in our world than sports that we can't even afford to attend. Too bad all the money wasted over this wasn't better invested in the city and it's homeless, or building better transportation.

You're living in a dream world. The city has wasted more money on the 'mono-light rail' alone than this entire suit. Let alone everything else.

I would MUCH rather build a stadium than pay for homeless people. ANY day of the week.

Who is that old bag on the Seattle City Council ?

I thought for awhile that our City Council in Tacoma was the worse in the state, that is questionable.

Howard sold the team and his bitter coffee machine is in trouble, he needs the money, he is not from Seattle and he was tired of losing money with his NBA team

Seattle paying $400 for one lawyer per hour, than paying Slade $700 a hour for his advise, what were they thinking ?

Seattle needs to build a new modern arena in a open area, you know with area to park. I went to the Key Center a couple years back on a dark wet evening, what a nightmare, and the upper seats we had were about worthless

Good luck

can we please have some new people running for government in this city, please.

Well Congratulations we now have two thieves in the night, Bennett and Nichols. Here we go again! Last year the tax payers made it very clear that we didn’t want to finance yet another sports arena. This is the third one now that we are having shoved down our throats. I am fed up with using tax payer money to make millionaires zillionaires. I don’t care that it is a tax already in place. We have a list of many more important things that our tax dollars should be going for.

Tell me who is going to take care of the businesses around Key Area? Do you see any part of this settlement going to them? Well hell no! The city says they will be working hard to get activities booked. They may not know it but we are paying a fortune for gas. My budget doesn’t have any “activity $$’s” left in it.

I am so fed up with these politicians that we vote for, that are supposed to represent us. They don’t listen to the tax paying citizens at all. They really make me sick. As public leaders they would make better Midwives.

Nichols is a bum, Sterns is a scum bag, and Bennett is a PUKE. Bennett and Sterns were sleeping with each other and Nichols was the odd man out. Do the math.

Anyone with even half a brain knew that the OKLAHOMA OWNER WITH A RABBID FAN BASE WHEN THE HORNETS WERE THERE after Katrina was going to take the Sups and move them to the land of the TORNADOS. I mean really now, are you guys that stupid???? [That’s rhetorical, because I do believe that you are that stupid]

This is the thing I have learned about Seattle and most of western Washington – Cry and complain about making capital improvements and then cry and complain when you lose because of not acting when you should have. It’s rather sad but oh so typical (a la Viaduct, I-5, the 167 freeway to NOWHERE, Poor business relations a la Boeing, and so on] to quote a great rock song, "SAD BUT TRUE."

I know what is needed; a good dose of change would do ALL of you some good. The supposed governor and her out of state bus should just keep on rollin’ down the 5 and become Oregon’s supposed governor. The fringe left leaning legislature [a true bunch of lunatics] should be fired and start all over with more even minded Democrats and Republicans, you know like most of the common day people who live outside of Seattle.

But wait … what am I… Stupid? This is the evergreen state; you all can’t see the forest because of the trees.

Brice Partain, Arizona
FORMER resident

Don't blame me I voted for ROSSI!

otaku said:
Sorry, folks. More important things to deal with in the world than grown men paid too much to play a game. JMHO

Funny, I could say the same thing about our politians. Paid way to much to misspend our money. I get much more joy and satisfation out of paying ball players. In fact, watching our local government usually makes me cring and wonder why we have such pathetic voter turnout.

Here's the deal. The mayor got enough money to pay off the last renovation of Key Arena and two years Lease money. Then he got another $30 million as seed money to upgrade Key Arena for a new team and both give him leverage with the legislature to give him "Taxing Authority" to raise the rest of the money to upgrade the Key Arena. Then if none of it happens he can blame the state legislature and the monkey's off his back. I didn't hear in his news conference who gets stuck with the bill for all the lawyers, but you can bet it'll be the tax payers. Welcome to the new empire of Mayor Nickels!!!!!!

I met a wonderful woman when we both worked for the Sonics - I started there in 94/95 and she in 95/96. We celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary tomorrow, July 3. My career with the Sonics lasted 4 years and she was there for 10 years.

We now have 3 young childre - all girls - and my wife took them to the Save Our Sonics rally at the courthouse.

Today I watched the press conference announcing the hollow settlement with my almost 5 year old. She put her head on my shoulder, asked if they are "solving this situation" and I said they are leaving but may stay (thinking of the Schultz lawsuit).

We got to see the last game in KeyArena with a group of former employees who are now fans - we like everyone who is a fan will hold a special place in our hearts about the Sonics we all choose to remember.

There is value beyond the pure economics and no one can convince me or my family of anything else.

A sad day for Seattle indeed.

Good Bye Sonics! It has been a long good ride until Schultz sold out. Good luck to Schultz in his Law suit to try and undo the sale to OKC. I have/ been a Sonic fan since 1966 when first opened in Seattle.

I cried today.

i cannot wait until the oklohoma raiders come back to play the sonics part II. we will be hitting our stride with the new regime just as mr. kevin durant is signing his free agent deal with the sonics. clay bennett is as crafty as bill clinton,and just as full of lies. the supes shall return.

all the sport teams in seattle are owned by republicants. no wonder they are failing. this is not about republicants or democrits its about money. the nba has unclean hands and that is all it is. THE NBA IS GUILTY OF FRAUD IN MULTI STATES A FEDERAL COURT WILL HERE THIS ONE.

I have a deep sense of saddness that our team is leaving. I also will continue to boycot Starbucks for them selling out our team. I am confident that Norm in Seattle is quite happy with the money but all the money he got is not worth the loss for our area. Oklahoma can rely on no tourism in its state from me ever. Lastly what the heck is Clay thinking using the clear symbol of a Native American Profile for his new team...gosh how far backward is he?

We must have the dumbest mayor in the world. Man, is it easy to fleace him!!

Nah Nah Nah Nah
Nah Nah Nah Nah

Hey Hey

GODBYE!!!!!

Wow... Boycott Starbucks and I guess become a republican is what I get from this because Schults, Nichols, and Gregoire did nothing to help the people that have given them their livelihoods. All 3 owe Seattle and this state for their positions in society and all have failed to rally any success on this poor excuse for an attempt to save the Sonics organization. $30mil contingent upon the state spending how much to renovate the Key? This deal reeks of incompetence only capable of Washington politicians. Oh and forget a new team... The NBA has proven what the Seattle market means to them and if anyone in Seattle was smart our response would be thanks for nothing and don't come back.
Sorry to see you go Supersonics. Lots of great childhood memories dispatched by those who we trusted and were gravely wrong for having done so.

How does Seattle win in this deal? Bennett gets what he wanted, which was to buy out the last two years. Seattle gets an illusory future promise. There is no way the state legislature will pass any type of funding when the state is projecting budget shortfalls through 2011, and there is no way that they will raise taxes further, out of fear of retribution or fear of slowing an economic recovery.

So the $30 million follow on payment is illusory and Bennett got the team for $45 million, which is a pretty good deal for Bennett. That's $22.5 in fixed costs per year, which could easily be made up in licensing agreements and ticket sales in the first two years. Bennett forgoes any losses and costs in the two years he would have stayed in Seattle.

Seattle must have had a bad case in court. That's the only thing I can think of as to the reason why Seattle would agree to this. Maybe it's time for Nickels to go.

Suddenly there's an outpouring of rage about the Sonics going to OKC. Where was the local money when the team was sold? Did the highly paid team or fans put up any money, if so how much?

The lease money should be paid to Key Arena (Seattle) but will they share this money with all the vendors and nearby cafes and stores? I think not.

Now they want a tax bail out. We were misled by the Mariners and Seahawks by being told there would be no tax dollars used for their stadiums. How much did the players and fans contribute?

okc has no experience with pro sports teams. the sonics are already the worst team in basketball and there is no way a city like okc is going to be able to turn around this sad excuse for a basketball team. so all you people wo are like "the sonics are gonna bring okc a championship!" are f**kin stupid. all that happened was clay bennett spending $75 for a plane full of crap to fly into the city and sh*t all over oklahoma's dignity while us from seattle up here laugh at them while the sounders sign some international soccer star and win a few championships then the nba decides LA cant have 2 teams in the same city and kick one out and where's the first place they go? seattle. clay bennet screwed himself and his city when he so obviously destroyed the sonics team. but the team wont be turned around for another 5 years. clay, you f*ckin tard,spend the two years in the lease leaving the sonics here, dont waste your $75 million dollars, start being serious and make the team better. then in two years when you have a slightly better team, just leave cause by law the city would have to let you and you wouldnt even have to pay! the nba needs to like give these guys an iq test or something cause clay bennet is retarted. but then again so is the cities legislature. f*ck this! im moving to the south of france!

Christine - start getting those moving boxes now. BTW - you won't be there to preside over the 2009 Legislative Session when the funding issue for the Key comes up - but I suspect you already know that. One more thing Dino Rossi will be able to reference when he says "she is not a leader!"

Nickels - you pathetic fatheaded blowhard - I am sure you secretly are glad the Sonics are leaving - a settlement without guarantee of another team - wow - you are a tough negotiator!

What a sad, sad day. Thanks to all that are responsible!

Christine - start getting those moving boxes now. BTW - you won't be there to preside over the 2009 Legislative Session when the funding issue for the Key comes up - but I suspect you already know that. One more thing Dino Rossi will be able to reference when he says "she is not a leader!"

Nickels - you pathetic fatheaded blowhard - I am sure you secretly are glad the Sonics are leaving - a settlement without guarantee of another team - wow - you are a tough negotiator!

What a sad, sad day. Thanks to all that are responsible!

the nba has a rule about fans owning a team, not allowed. if not for that rule we would own the sonics right now. f the nba and their elete group of owners who would vote to move the team except for paul allen and mark cubin. those guys rock. hello portland tb.

i still have hope for the underdogs, the sonic fans.

Christine - start getting those moving boxes now. BTW - you won't be there to preside over the 2009 Legislative Session when the funding issue for the Key comes up - but I suspect you already know that. One more thing Dino Rossi will be able to reference when he says "she is not a leader!"

Nickels - you pathetic blowhard - I am sure you secretly are glad the Sonics are leaving - a settlement without guarantee of another team - wow - you are a tough negotiator!

What a sad, sad day. Thanks to all that are responsible!

To Cale; With those qualifications, it's puts you far ahead of any of our current office holders. I'll vote for ya! Have a great Fourth.

I live in Wichita, KS. Although i am glad to see a team come close enough that i can go to i am saddened for Seattle. I wish they would have gone after a expansion team as well. With that said i will drive 2 hours to every game to watch them no matter how bad they suck. Its just not Oklahoma where people will come from. Tulsa is only an hour away and Wichita is an hour and 30min. YOUR MAYOR and YOUR OLD OWNER sold you out. Please dont blame the people of Oklahoma for this. They have done nothing wrong. They just want a team to call their own. If anything we are getting a pretty sucky team. We have to deal with it. Howard Schultz is the one to blame for selling them team in the first place.

The City... did what was best for the city. Clay Bennett did what was best for the Oklahoma Theives. Howard Schultz... is the $#@)!** who sold the club out from under the local fans.

Howard Schultz could have "done the right thing" for our community, but sold our tradition for an extra $30 million....

I reccomend we all vote with our Starbucks business. I personally will be fine with any brand except Starbucks from this point forward. Howard has the extra jack and we are left with nothing. Your move...

thanks james your ok and not all wrong. THE NBA HAS UNCLEAN HANDS IN THIS CASE.

i will never have another starbucks drink in my life.

i will not have another starbucks drink, thats it for me. how u like that howard?

Thanks Will. I am orginally from Oklahoma and it sucks to hear people from other areas blame OKLAHOMA. OKLAHOMA didnt do anything. OKLAHOMA didnt sell the team. I personally think it is Howard Schultz's fault and his solely. They wouldnt hate Clay if Howard didnt sell them the team. Oklahoma is a great place to be and even though i am just north in Wichita i love Oklahoma. Please dont hate on the state of Oklahoma. Hate on your politicians and your citizens (i.e. Howard Schultz).

This only shows how pathetic our state and city officials handle important issues. This is a major blow to the city and states tax base. How is Washington and Seattle going to replace this income. I know, raise our taxes. They just raised our parking taxes yesterday. Christine and Greg can take their inept leadership somewhere else....like Oklahoma City! Bye bye to the two most useless politians in the World.

How does Seattle win in this deal? Bennett gets what he wanted, which was to buy out the last two years. Seattle gets an illusory future promise. There is no way the state legislature will pass any type of funding when the state is projecting budget shortfalls through 2011, and there is no way that they will raise taxes further, out of fear of retribution or fear of slowing an economic recovery.

So the $30 million follow on payment is illusory and Bennett got the team for $45 million, which is a pretty good deal for Bennett. That's $22.5 in fixed costs per year, which could easily be made up in licensing agreements and ticket sales in the first two years. Bennett forgoes any losses and costs he would have incurred if he stayed in Seattle.

Seattle must have had a bad case in court. That's the only thing I can think of as to the reason why Seattle would agree to this. Maybe it's time for Nickels to go.

Great Job Seattle... way to negotiate. Give the opposing party everything they want, get nothing in return and then start name calling. Nice strategy.

why didnt the nba offer the okc an expansion team when the hornets left? this is all crazy to me, i love the sonics. i guess the nba needs to add a new durant jersy to there commercial that they are so proud of. u know the one.

I don't care about basketball, or any other sport. If the people who do care want to pay fr for it, fine. But they can not expect me as a non-interested bystrander to pay for it. SO.. it's commerce - it's all about making a $. They've left. If the fans who really cared had been willing to pay for a stadium they'd still be here. But don't blame it on the other 95% of the WA po;ulation who doesn;t give a ***^ whether the sonics are here or not.

That i do not know. But the owner made stipulations throughout the year for the Hornets fans. They had to average 15000 people or he was moving the team....hint hint to OKC. Cause he saw what kind of revenue OKC made him. Well cause they were so good over the past 2 months they hit that mark. I think if OKC didnt get the Sonics then they were gonna move the team from New Orleans to OKC. ONce again i am saddened for Seattle but happy cause i am close to an NBA city now.

I have read so many citizens comments and I agree: Let the buggers go. No disrespect, but let's face the facts: Elected officials & so-called 'professionals' seem to get more respect and attention from big money, than the fans & consumers that build them up. It's time to STOP. Stop throwing our money to so-called business people who don't give a hoot about us folks who faithfully support them. Stop supporting politicians at the state and city level that are more in love with the dollar than the people that make this city a community. Don't get me wrong, we have some good leaders that truly serve with integrity, but many say one thing, and do another. I am disappointed with the so-called owners and officials selling the fans down the river with lies about the Sonics being OUR TEAM, when in actuality the fans weren't even invited to the table of discussion. Shame on Seattle Consumers if we continue to go along with these shams. We deserve whatever we end up getting, because we don't stand up for what is right, until it's too late. I say BOYCOTT, until the bigshots get the message, and apologize with their pocketbooks to prove it. Amen.

Thank god they are leaving. I am so sick of hearing about the sonics. And how unhappy they are here and how they want the people of King county to pay for another new arena to play ball in when the one they have has nothing wrong with it. Again thank God they are gone!!!

I am so disappointed in KING 5 sports. The piece they just showed at the end of the 6:30 news was made with so little thought, so little care. It was NOT a fond look back, it was NOT a good representation of all the good times, it was a mish mash mess of whatever clips were easy to find. They should start over and make a new sequence using a producer and editor who have knowledge and affection for the Supersonics! C'mon guys!

hmm do you care about microsoft or boeing or any other big business in seattle. you should because you pay for them with the tax credits they get for doing business in seattle. sports are big business that bring a great deal of money to this city. i used to drive from spokane just to see a game and spend money here. if the nba had clean hands in this whole thing sonics would have won with nate a few years ago. if the sonics had not been ganked by the refs there would have been much more support for an improved venue.

i hope your kids never get into sports. that might spoil your position.

sport haters win this one, the passionate fans loose another one.

I have to say I am not surprised at a settlement. It just goes to show you what this is all about $$$$$. Nichols found a way to get his new arena whether or not Olympia helps out or not. It is sad to see them go and I hope Shultz doesn't give up on his lawsuit as I think that is the better hope of keeping the team here. Although what I do hope for is a new mayor for Seattle. I was a fan of Nichols but as I see what he had done with the city over his years in office I am more and more disgusted. It would be nice if he grew a set of ....'s and made decisions rather than just sit in his high and mighty mayor seat and let others try and fix things. I have seen very little if any leadership from him except in extreme situations and usually at the last minute. Although he is following in the foot steps of every other politician in that they are affraid to make decisions that might piss off the general public. It just goes to show they are more worried about getting re-elected than they are at taking a stand.

WAY TO GO SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seattle property value may rise with the Oklahoma owners of the team out of town. Having people like that can lower value. Up up and away Seattle. The yolk is now on the Oklahoma City and state taxpayers as they become the beast who must carry the money load of an NBA team. We should all pray for those in Oklahoma who must pay the price. God Bless you Oklahoma. You will need it.

Seattle property value may rise with the Oklahoma owners of the team out of town. Having people like that can lower value. Up up and away Seattle. The yolk is now on the Oklahoma City and state taxpayers as they become the beast who must carry the money load of an NBA team. We should all pray for those in Oklahoma who must pay the price. God Bless you Oklahoma. You will need it.

Yippee now king county residents won't have to pay millions in upgrades for key arena or possibly billions for a new state of the art facility just for them. They were losers anyway. Just like the rest of Seattles teams.

you need to go back to your knitting and mr rogers fool.

Screw any concerns about the money. Nichols and Gregoire dropped the ball when they wouldn't negotiate with Schultz or Bennett. Blowhard Nichols tried to call their bluff and got blown out of the water. Is there any way we can send these two irresponsible politicians to Oklahoma City for compensation? Do us all a big favor. Maybe the city will wise up and get rid of fat ass Nichols in the next election . If we don't we deserve what we get and we'll get more of the same.

re warnxb - "screw any concrens about money" give us a break, where is your head, that is what it is all about. It has nothing to do with fan loyalty, it has nothing to do with anything other than can the owners make a $. You dopn't likre you get who you elect - like GW. If you don't like that, earn enough miney to buy your own team.

The City... did what was best for the city. Clay did what was best for the Oklahoma Rustlers. The NBA is simply a failing business model, desperate for anyone's approval.

Howard Schultz... sold the Sonics, the fans & 40yrs of local NBA support. Mr. Shultz could have done the right thing for the region AND made a tidy profit... Howard opted for personal gain.

I reccomend we vote with our Starbucks business. I'm going out for coffee. Your move...

The City... did what was best for the city. Clay did what was best for the Oklahoma Rustlers. The NBA is simply a failing business model desperate for anyone's approval.

Howard Schultz... sold the Sonics, the fans and 40yrs of local NBA support. Mr Shcultz could have done the right thing for the local community AND made a tidy profit. Howard opted for personal gain.

I reccomend we all demonstrate our gratitude with our Starbucks business. I'm going out for coffee. Your move...

From the beginning, the city of Seattles current administration wasn't interested in keeping the Sonics, mainly Greg Nichols. He admitted he only attended two games in ten years. His testimony in court did NOT help to keep the Sonics in Seattle. The Governor and the state legislature didn't do anything about it either.
They all suffer from rectal-cranial inversion.
As I just heard on King 5 news, if Seattle should get another NBA team, the 75 million that was settled on goes bye-bye.
As some comments above stated, don't hate Oklahoma.
The blame lays on Howard Schultz, Greg Nichols and his administration, Christine Gregoire and her administration, and the State Legislature. To show our displeasure with the above mentioned parties, this is what should be done.
1) Boycott Starbucks, post signs about it by Starbucks stores.
2) Citizens of Seatlle should vote out the city's current administration
3) Citizens of Washington State should vote out the state's current Govenors adminstration, and the state's legislature.
The only way to speak to a businessman is through his pocketbook.
The only way to speak to the city/state government is to not re-elect them.
In the 1970's a domed stadium was built in Seattle to bring major league baseball and major league football to the area. After 25 years the Mariners and the Seahawks whinned about not having outdoor stadiums to play in, so they tore down the dome and built them stadiums. What was the cost of all three stadiums combined? What did the Sonics get in return? Very little if anything, they had to play in the Tacoma Dome one season because the arena roof leaked badly, and didn't get fixed properly until Key Bank stepped in and renovated the arena.
In the thirty-plus years since the Seahawks and the Mariners have been in Seattle, how many championships have they brought home? NONE.
The Sonics got one within 15 years of being formed.
The Storm got a championship in less than 10 years. At least they are staying....for now.
Does anyone remember how long it took to get a baseball team in Seattle after the Pilots left? It will probably be the same thing. No team until a new venue is built (ie: Kingdome 1975).
Schultz, Nichols, Gregoire and the rest of them should be real proud of themselves now. They all sold out the Citizens of Washington State.
They disgust me.

Who cares! If yall really wanted them, you should have paid the money. I do agree that David Stern is the biggest dirtbag in the NBA

You people crack me up! Honestly, to call them thieves?? Are you people gullable enough to think Bennett & company bought the Sonics to keep them there???? He didn't sneak up and steal something, he walked right in and bought a team that the previous owner didn't want. We knew what he was doing, he knew what he was doing, hell everyone knew but Seattle I guess (and Schultz). Schultz is now suing for one of 2 reasons: #1 After getting out from under the $ bleeding Sonics, he's now worried about the impending lynching for selling, or #2 He really is to ignorant to realize what was going to happen. If #2 is the case, he doesen't deserve to own any pro team in the 1st place.

And your saying Bennett made a bad business decision and is getting a lesson on making business deals???? This statement would be better applied to Schultz.

Time will tell if Bennett & company made a good purchase but the team WILL get support in OKC!

I could not care less about the overpaid, underachieving local sports teams, but I do wonder if Mayor McCheese and his back-room cloak and dagger regime are going to share their new-found windfall with the lower Queene Anne businesses that depend on Sonics events, or maybe that money would be more wisely spent on another mile of worthless trolley track or even on the condo development on all that wasted open space under the Space Needle. Regime change starts at home. As long as we the taxpayers/voters continue to elect a one-party state, we will continue to get the shaft time and time again. Great parting season, Losers!

What difference does it really make if they left now or 2 years from now? Schultz sold em to OKC when he sold the team to Bennet.

I'm just glad we aren't going to be spending more tax dollars to build another staduim. We need to fix our major problems like the 520 and the viaduct first. People talked about Seattle now being a laughing stock b/c we sold the team; you should hear what people who visit say about our roads.

-D

City of Seattle sold its soul, and it only cost $75 Million. So when do we put up the yard sale sign for the Mariners? What happends when the Seahawks start losing again. Today I am reminded of why I'm so proud to be from Detroit. GO TIGERS!!

I loved watching the Mayor at his less than awe-inspiring press conference. He kept making mention of the fact that Seattle gets to keep the name and the records. GREAT. Thanks a million (er, make that 45 million) Greg.

That is akin to selling your home in the worst real estate deal ever and then boasting that you got to keep the "sold" sign.

yes sean we should have seen it coming from the okedoke. spoken like a true chiseler. ps what do you do for a living, car salesman. that’s all there is in okc other than stupid people like your self. opps there goes my tounge again.

he lied from the very beginning but do you know what that means?

Bennet & Stern represent everything that smells rotten about the NBA and I say good riddance. I LOVED my Sonics for decades & it broke my heart to see them torn down until nobody really cared anymore. (And yes, Schultz shares a big part of that blame.) I am heartened that we are keeping the best parts of the team (history, colors, name, etc...) & look forward to the day when we get a new team, but let's take care of the arena situation on OUR terms. Not by letting ourselves be blackmailed by some creepy out-of-state poacher. And here's hoping Stern's way gone by then, too - he is a bad, bad man.

Goodbye guys, we'll miss you & certainly don't wish you ill on your journey. And to the OK fans...yeah, good luck dealing with that slimeball of an owner. He's shown his true colors, so watch out!

someone please sue the nba and david slut, tie them to the refs and fixing games like we all know they did. use there own tapes to prove it.

irrelevant at best.....it was a crap franchise..give it a few days, the pacific northwest so-called "loyal" fan base will soon forget and go back cutting down trees...good riddance

that fan base gives you most of your software, airplains, music, you name it. where u from nowhere man?

Will, That's all you've got??? Surely your brighter than that! I've had to listen to all of you bitter people tear down my state and Oklahomans because you lost your team and were either not willing to do what it took or were too gullable to see it coming. BTW, a chisler typically would look for someone gullable or slow minded enough to be chisled..... So.... Where does that leave you??

This was soooo transparent it's funny! Let me run it down for you Will. An NBA team is losing money, the owner wants out, and the citizens voted down improvements to the Key showing that they're not big on supporting them (not to mention ranking 27th out of 30 in attendance).... Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Looks like an opportunity to me! Buy the team, give the citizens a chance to improve the arena and when they don't, you've got your out! We knew this was the plan the minute he bought them.

If he chisled them, it was the worst job EVER!! He telegraphed everything!

P.S. I'm in I.T. consulting and handle quality assurance evaluation, workforce optimization and analytics for call centers and 911 dispatch..... Or, if it makes you feel better, I'm a Cowboy in overalls with a pig farm. Either way, you may have the impression that we're a bunch of inbred, ignorant rubes, but we saw this coming and we've got your team! Who's the Bonehead now?

P.S. Will, Thanks for the software AND the team!! lol

I think this is the best thing that could have happenend. Basketball sucks anyway, and im sure that the fine residents of King county will be glad not to have to pay for a new arena through their property taxes since gas will be $5.00 a gallon soon. You people should worry about something a little more serious like the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen fighting to give you people the right to bitch about a junky basketball team leaving here anyway. Turn the Key into a rodeo area. That would be more productive. Maybe there would be less violence downtown with some rednecks hanging out there.

Um....I fell out of love with the NBA about 2 years ago. I have watched all the NBA scandals and decided that Stern is not one to make a sound or resonable business decision when it comes to the people who pay their salaries (the fans)! I was all for keeping the OKLAHOMA SONICS in Seattle but now that they are gone I hope Seattle NEVER Lets the NBA back in. Go get an NHL team in here give them whatever they want. I am not a Hockey fan but I sure have room in my heart for another HOME team.

Oh yeah and as far as the Sonics History goes.....it left with the team, I, for one, dont want another team to wear the green and gold again. Its not our team!!!!

Folks, we have only ourselves and your fellow Washingtonians to blame. DO NOT BLAME our elected officials, they are truly listening to the will of the majority that elected them to their offices in the first place. The majority of their constituents that elect them are overwhelmingly not in favor of subsidies for arenas / stadiums / racetracks. They strongly feel that limited financial resources should go to schools, transportation, and to maintaining things like parks and whatnot. They also feel that arenas and stadiums are not obsolete after 5 or more years!

AS IF having the GOP control the state legislature, the gov's office (or other positions) is gonna make any difference, they're more prone to NOT support any future stadium and arena proposals. To quote Taylor (the young lady from the TV show Kid Nation...), "DEAL WITH IT!"

Yes, I am sad to see the Sonics leave (I was a fan since the 70's, my folks went to the playoffs in the Kingdome, the Coliseum, and yes, the one year in the Tacoma Dome!) And yes, I was at the final game at the Key vs. Dallas.

I believe the current NBA league is going in the wrong direction. In fact, it has turned into the "NTA", the National Thugball League. It's getting to be no fun to observe this thug culture be glorified either in person or on TV. With a direction change and a new NBA commissioner and owners committed to making basketball a fun sport to watch, and restore its integrity, the NBA can be once again popular like the NFL and MLB. Otherwise, it'll collapse like a house of cards and more clubs will fold or consolidate, with shrinking revenue due to lack of fan support.

Keep the faith - hopefully integrity will come back to the NBA at the same time a team will come back to the Emerald City and be the new Sonics.

Professional sports is a business, Period. It has nothing to do with fan loyalty, how long they have been here. Its about the almighty $ (though that's not worth much any more thanks to GW). Sonics are gone. Does anyone really give a rip? If youn answer "yes", would you be willing to part with more $ to have them stay? If not, you cannot complain.

Above post submitted by Nickels lackey, if not by the old hypocrite himself.

sorry Chris, not a Nickels lackey or Nickels himself. Just someone who thinks that professional sports in this great US of A has gotten away from reality. The players expect $zillions and to be heros, the teams think they can extort $ from taxpayers. Screw them.

This whole thing gets laid at the feet of the Schultz/Walker regime. From day one they have destroyed this team which culminated in today. Lots of others share responsibility, but bottom line it is the legacy of the Schultz/Walker regime.

What does it matter? OKC gets a very crappy team, one year of good season ticket holder sales in the new town, and a future under .500 record there. After the first losing season in OK all those starry eyed ticket holders realize they have a second rate NBA team with no hope of any playoffs in the future and stop caring the same as Seattle.
Two years from now we will hear from Clay courtesy of ESPN on how the team is again losing money. "ALL OF THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. All of this will happen again".

Nickels and Gregoire need to get voted out. All they care about is money. There should have never been a settlement. Nickels has no backbone. He should of fought for our team. I am not even a Sonics fan but I know how much money an NBA team brings to our city. Nickels must realize he is on his way out of office and had to do one last thind to screw us once again.

Howard Schultz is the biggest culprit in this entire fiasco. He's an intelligent man and not naive enough to believe that these thieves from OKC had any interest whatsoever in keeping the team here. He had a chance to sell the team to local buyers FOR A PROFIT, yet he chose to sell out all the sonics fans for a bigger profit. He must be the most hated resident of this state about now.

So a Renovation of Key arena is OK now???? What a Joke. The NBA is a total joke. A renovation is not okay now but it is after the team moves to OKC...I guess it is settled, Oklahome City Bombers it is!

I remember when people was talking about the Sonicswas leving and everyone said they weren't leving but I knew but since the Sonics are leaving and Seattle is looking for a team can't they move the Storm up to the NBA..... Yeah I know it's a dum idea but if the Sonics should left then the Storm should go to never been a basketball but I still think is f-ing crapy but who knows I don't think Seattle should get a team for a long time. It's Seattle's fault for letting the Sonics go. Even though it's funny to said this even though I'm a baseball fan born on the east coast GO ORIOLES and MARINERS!!!!!!!!!

This is like a death of someone close. The pain is unbearable. Just 12 years ago the Sonics were the toast of the town. Who would have imagined it would come to this. It all started with Jim Crappelvane. That pissed off Shawn Kemp, who whined his way out of town and the team started it's decline all the way to this point. We can blame Schultz, who sold the team to these bandits. Most of all we can blame the city and state government who couldn't get anything done with Schultz or anyone else in an effort to save the team. The first night without NBA basketball will be right around election day. I'll take out my frustrations on my ballot by voting out Christine Gregoire, Nick Licata, Frank Chopp, Greg Nichols, my local rep Jim McIntire, and the rest of the inept, spineless politicians who let this happen. Let's get some lawmakers that have some moxie. It's going to take that and a lot of cash to get a team again. It would have cost a fraction of that to have worked with the team and resolved this years ago.

Not only did Seattle sell out to those new owners, they sold out the people of Seattle. I hope that Howard Schultz's court case against the Sonics ownership group will go through and they will have to give up the team because of breach of contract, and they will be brought back to where they belong, here in Seattle. Seattle shouldn't have listened to the NBA, they don't have anything at steak here, Seattle is the one with everything to loose. Now we will never know what the judge would have said and whether the Sonics ownership would have to honor their contract. I hate to say this but I hope that the Sonics flop in Oklahoma City particularly after what the ownership did to the city of Seattle and all the rest of us.

Oh damn, why don't all you crybaby Seattle suckers just jump on your imitation Samurai swords and get it over with! So what if a few bar owners, sport shop knuckleheads and face painting losers just lost their obsession, life's more than the Sonics and there are more pressing concerns for Seattle than getting another stupid sports team.

Grow up you stupid bastards!

I remembered what happened to the Cleveland Browns back in 1995 when Art Modell took the team and moved them to Baltimore. I was really surprised to hear the same thing happen to Seattle. If Oklahoma City wanted a team, they could be patient. I guess that was not going to happen. At least the name of the Sonics will not go with them. I agree with the former Sonics. It would be a slap in the face to Seattle if their numbers were hanging in another city. I'm sure the Sonics will be back! And when the Oklahoma City whoevers come to Seattle, they will be in for a rude homecoming!

With the cost to see these millionaires plus parking,gas and a dog or two who cares about the team

Can you believe it !!!!!! Not only did Clay steal the Sonics, NOW his father-in-law and funding source is buying 10 acres in the Thorpe area to open one of his Love Truck Stops.

We should make it the personal quest of every Soncis fan to crush this family's attepts to open any business and extract any profit from this state - they came here to rape and pillage, have been successful to date, but we end it here.

Why should the family of Clay Bennett ever be allowed to extract a single penny of profit from this state.

As to "Dan's" comments about "cry babies" - most victims of crime, albeit white collar, are more that slightly upset with the criminal gets away with it...

Can you believe it !!!!!! Not only did Clay steal the Sonics, NOW his father-in-law and life long funding source is buying 10 acres in the Thorpe area to open one of his Love Truck Stops.

We should make it the personal quest of every Soncis fan to crush this family's attepts to open any business and extract any profit from this state - they came here to rape and pillage, have been successful to date, but we end it here.

Why should the family of Clay Bennett ever be allowed to extract a single penny of profit from this state.

As to "Dan's" comments about "cry babies" - most victims of crime, albeit white collar, are more that slightly upset with the criminal gets away with it...

I sit here this cool July morning while Mother Nature expresses her opinion of the flashy, noisy NBA of today with a little flash and noise of her own. She is cleansing our streets of the residue of the obsequious David Stern, and selfishness of the spoon fed millionaires whose greed is second only to their billionaire owners. I am still a basketball fan. The glow of a great Celtic win in the recent finals, giving Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, and Big Ticket a much deserved ring is still on my mind.... Funny, I couldn't name you 4 Sonics or their coach today....The Sonics haven't been on my mind for anything on the court in forever it seems. While I am sitting here I am also wearing my Sonics knitted cap. This is the same knitted cap I got at the Seattle "Supersonics", (remember when they were Super?) vs Chicago Bulls game in 1970. Gary Keister, our 8th grade coach at St Joseph's took the whole team that night as a reward for our hard work during our eventual CYO city championship that year, 1970-71.

Len Wilkens, as it said in the game's program , was on the cover that night. Fitting of a cover boy, down by 4 with 5 seconds to go, Len Wilkens made a jump shot, a steal, and two free throws to send the game into overtime where we eventually won. I say "we".. We were "we" back then. Lenny Wilkens coached the Supersonics to the title just a few short years later in 1979. That June night I was driving across the Aurora bridge northbound, as the game ended I made an ill-advised, yet at the time mandatory u-turn mid bridge and went downtown to celebrate "our" victory, "our" championship.

Mother Nature, I can understand, is also shedding a commiserating tear for the local charities that are experiencing an equally gloomy day with the dollars leaving town. Well, all those season ticket holders have a few extra bucks that can now go to Northwest Harvest, et al. And if you figure 42 home games without playoffs, at about 4 hours for spending the evening/afternoon game and going to and from, the average season ticket holder will now have an extra 160+ hours a year to volunteer to those organizations hurt the most by the Sonics leaving.

I couldn't be less impressed with the actions of David Stern and the entire pro sports rationale that somehow their product makes your town a better place to live. Sports? Yes. Competition, rivalry, social gathering? All yes. The current condition of the professional sports product, the relentless hijacking of billions in public funds by these exploitative crybaby owners and the immoral and illegal actions of these child-man millionaires makes me feel slimy. Thank you Mother Nature for the clean Summer shower. We needed it. Enjoy your new town Okla homies! Peace out.

Everybody seems to be blaming Schultz and Bennett for the Sonics leaving. Based on the news and the lawsuit I would say it's entirely in the lap on Mayor Nichols and the city staff. Can you imagine in your wildest dreams a politicion not acting in an honorable manner? Oh, dear, what a concept. They didn't deal in an honest manner regarding their responsibilities under the lease in trying to force Bennett to sell the team to somebody else so they'd stay in Seattle!!! Personally, I'm glad the team is leaving. All professional sports, but particularly the NBA, has become filled with spoiled rich guys with too much money and ego. These people are looked up to as role models but act like spoiled two-year olds. Good riddence to bad rubbish.

Hey Okie, get off of the Seattle boards you stupid troll and go show your support for your new OKC Rednecks.

Once Freddie Brown hit from downtown.
It was a RULE of life.
Twas HAZZARDous but even Gus
gave cause for hoop-dreams hype.

We had a key to victory.
A turnkey to success.
But recently it seemed the key
turned into quite a mess.

The key went bad. It’s very sad.
The door slammed shut and locked.
All hopes and dreams to keep our team
were permanently blocked.

The die was cast. No sonic blast
could spring that door sealed shut.
It’s more than sad. I’m really mad.
I’ve knots inside my gut.

Our doom’s been sealed. There’s no appeal.
Just throw the key away.
Seattle’s team once clad in green
is gone no thanks to Clay.

good bye, finally. Who cares................

its to bad the mariners cant go with them. really glad they willbe gone. what a joke they have been the last couple years. over paid athletes who need to be pampered

Yes, the City of Seattle Officials should have settled the case. They had no choice.
In two years, the team would have been relocated anyway. Would you buy tickets to a team which was going to move?

Who wants PJ as a coach? He is terrible.
All the former Sonic greats are gone. I feel very bad for Lenny Wilkens. His heart must be torn out. We love you Lenny and thank you for your long and outstanding service to Seattle Sonics!

This situation with our former Sonics is yet ANOTHER example of ineffective government in Washington State.

Throw these bums out of office, from the ineffective Governor down to the Mayor of Seattle and all the City Council.

Here are a few other items of failure: Viaduct, 520 bridge, WASL testing,..they treat the citizens like sheep. Arrogance in politics!!

THROW THEM OUT!

Frances Farmer will get her revenge on Clay Bennett.

Just take comfort (as much as you can, I suppose) in the fact that Nickels has been exposed for the inept, greedy Mayor that he is. His political career's over now, and he won't ever be your Governor or something stupid like that.

Paul Schell's career ended with the Battle for Seattle. Greg Nickels' career ended with the Seattle SuperSonics relocation.

speak with you vote, vote out Nickels and Gregoire, they didn't step up, they got crushed

Good Bye Sonics.....Sorry Sonic Fans ,but your So Called Mayor you elected Sold You All out and Now He Has 45 Million In His Pocket.If you think another team come here to the BS your Nuts....It's not gonna happen cause your seattle mayor will get another 35 million in his pocketbook. I would have loved to hear the judges decision, cause I think Bennet would have won. So your mayor you elected got scared and opted out for the money , so he could line his pockets. like I always say name 1 good politician? I can't cause they're all liers and crooks.

I would love to see a poll asking people if this impacts who they'll vote for in the Governors race. I know this sight is full of rabid sports fans, which could skew perception. I would love to see something that will really let us know if the politicians will pay for this move, or if people think it was the best thing they could do.

I can not believe that the sonic fans would want the team to stay. I am 49 and grew up watching some of the greats and I can not remember any of those players complain or cry as much as the players of today do if my kids cried like todays players do they would be punished the players get paid to whine the NBA should stand for the NEW BABY ASSOCIATION I can not stand watching any so called pro NBA team play glad to see them leave.

The city of Seattle should have paid oklahoma for the overpaid babies. Todays(NBA)NEW BABY