Immediately after announcing that he wants arbitration over whether the Sonics can leave Key Arena, Sonics Owner Clay Bennett sat down for an interview. While saying he takes all options seriously, it's clear Bennett does not see anything coming together yet...
Among his key points:
--No amount of remodeling can make Key Arena viable for a basketball team to make money.
--He's willing to entertain the Muckleshoot offer to move to Auburn, but says the proposal still lacks any financing plan.
--He doesn't regret buying the team, but thought there'd be more excitement surrounding his purchase and more interest from Seattle to make a deal.
--Bennett is not softening on his deadline of October 31st to get a deal. Given the legislature doesn't meet again until January, I asked if he's willing to go through another legislative session. The answer: Only if he gets a binding agreement before October 31st--and he admits, he sees nothing "tangible" right now.
Click above to view the entire interview.
13 Comments
roberta smith said:
I would like to say something about the sonic/storm ordeal. I am a born and raised Okie!, now I am a Washingtonian and have been for 6 years. Yes Okla could and would benefit with a professional sports team there. I think that if Seattle would like to keep them here why dont you make a counter offer to the extent of "If you fill the arena for an entire season or season tickets are sold out for a year then we could talk about a new arena. I know the parking and traffic is an issue there also. Other then that I am tired of hearing how the owners owe it to Seattle to keep them there! it is common busineess to move where you make money So GO ahead and move.... MAYBE I WILL BECOME A FAN ... I already have a new name for them.... GO SOONER SONICS.......So go get on the cry baby bus with Shawn Kemp, and Ken Griffey Jr. and dont forget A-Rod. What a joke our sports teams here in Washington have become.
Eric said:
And all I wanted was a NASCAR Race track.
Ben said:
Clay all I can say is don't let the door hit you or the loser sonics in the butts as you are leaving
eric said:
As long as that scumbag bennett is the owner...i will NEVER give the sonics another cent...so see ya..wouldn't wanna be ya!!!!
Joe said:
I think Clay Bennett and all you OklahamO fans can get bent. We need Clay Bennett out of the Sonic organization and banned from all Sonic games. Sonics were a great team before Mr. Bennett stuck his fat money hungry head in the picture. Why don't Clay Bennett move to Oklahoma and stay there. I promis he won't be missed.
Michael said:
Clay Bennett is trying to steal these teams away from us and treating all of us like fools. We have the next electrifying young player in Kevin Durant and an exciting new era of Sonics basketball on the horizon, not to mention the championship-caliber Storm. I am not going to be a part of the hopeless or non-active participants standing by while our teams are stolen. Here in Seattle we DO care about our teams and we will fight to keep them here.
skok said:
The Go-Sooner Sonics,
I like that.
If there was never another basketball game in the state of Washington ever again. . . . .I'd live
Dave said:
I thought Bennentt had a binding agreement already!
football fan said:
Seattle super-who? Who cares? Bye. Make sure you turn out the lights, so we reduce our carbon footprint. This might solve some of the traffic issues! We might be able to get rid of light rail!! Two birds, one clay stone.
Rdee said:
It isn't a fancy new arena that fills the seats. It is a winning team that brings the fans in that will fill the seat. And that will make the money.
Kelly said:
I went to school with Clay Bennett. He was five years ahead of me and he is a really good guy. I think it is hilarious that all these people berate him for buying a sports team and wanting to make money with it.
I've been living in Renton for the last 8 months and have been amused by how much you all whine about this issue. If you want someone to blame, blame Howard Schultz for selling the team in the first place. Bennett and company don't owe Seattle jack.
Where were all the Microsoft and other dotcom millionaires when the Sonics were on the block?
When you buy a business that has binding contracts, that already is losing money, and sign documents and make public statements that you will do certian things, and you lie, break your word, and attempt skip out on the contracts YOU signed your name to then you shouldn't be surprised when your integrity is called into question.
Clay bought a team that was losing money, knew that it would lose more money after he bought it, and knows it will still lose money if he moves it, so what does it say about him as a businessman when he starts complaining about losing money?
The Sonics ARE not going to Oklahoma any more than the Mariners went to Tampa Bay or the Seahawks went to L.A. (both of those were more "gone" then the Sonics are). Clay is about to find out he is in way over his head and that the teams are not leaving before 2010. If he is willing to take $100 million in loses to ride it out, after overpaying by almost $100 million, then I think it sends a pretty clear message that Clay is not a very smart businessman.
Yes, we should be upset at Howard Schultz for selling to Clay but he did negotiate a deal with Clay that he didn't honor so we can't put all the blame on Schultz.
The bottom line is that the NBA doesn't give a rip what Clay wants they care about making money for the owners so as long as we do our part here the NBA is never going to let Clay move this team to a small market.
GREED got the best of us said:
As far as im concerned, we all have Howard Schultz to blame for the eventual loss of our beloved Sonics. I was in my mothers womb for every Sonic home game at Seattle Center when they won the Championship back in '79, and have been a fan ever since. Schultz only has a business because the people of Seattle supported his company, and brand. The least he could have done was make sure the Sonics were left to a responsible owner, with the intent of keeping them here in Seattle. Instead he took the first offer, from a bunch of classless rednecks, knowing full well what the outcome would be. Im calling for an all out boycott of Starbucks, and for all who read this to spread the word. Start a domino effect. Karma will bite you in the ass, Schultz. You gave up on your city, and if i have my way, the city will give up on you. Rot in hell for an eternity.
I would like to say something about the sonic/storm ordeal. I am a born and raised Okie!, now I am a Washingtonian and have been for 6 years. Yes Okla could and would benefit with a professional sports team there. I think that if Seattle would like to keep them here why dont you make a counter offer to the extent of "If you fill the arena for an entire season or season tickets are sold out for a year then we could talk about a new arena. I know the parking and traffic is an issue there also. Other then that I am tired of hearing how the owners owe it to Seattle to keep them there! it is common busineess to move where you make money So GO ahead and move.... MAYBE I WILL BECOME A FAN ... I already have a new name for them.... GO SOONER SONICS.......So go get on the cry baby bus with Shawn Kemp, and Ken Griffey Jr. and dont forget A-Rod. What a joke our sports teams here in Washington have become.
And all I wanted was a NASCAR Race track.
Clay all I can say is don't let the door hit you or the loser sonics in the butts as you are leaving
As long as that scumbag bennett is the owner...i will NEVER give the sonics another cent...so see ya..wouldn't wanna be ya!!!!
I think Clay Bennett and all you OklahamO fans can get bent. We need Clay Bennett out of the Sonic organization and banned from all Sonic games. Sonics were a great team before Mr. Bennett stuck his fat money hungry head in the picture. Why don't Clay Bennett move to Oklahoma and stay there. I promis he won't be missed.
Clay Bennett is trying to steal these teams away from us and treating all of us like fools. We have the next electrifying young player in Kevin Durant and an exciting new era of Sonics basketball on the horizon, not to mention the championship-caliber Storm. I am not going to be a part of the hopeless or non-active participants standing by while our teams are stolen. Here in Seattle we DO care about our teams and we will fight to keep them here.
The Go-Sooner Sonics,
I like that.
If there was never another basketball game in the state of Washington ever again. . . . .I'd live
I thought Bennentt had a binding agreement already!
Seattle super-who? Who cares? Bye. Make sure you turn out the lights, so we reduce our carbon footprint. This might solve some of the traffic issues! We might be able to get rid of light rail!! Two birds, one clay stone.
It isn't a fancy new arena that fills the seats. It is a winning team that brings the fans in that will fill the seat. And that will make the money.
I went to school with Clay Bennett. He was five years ahead of me and he is a really good guy. I think it is hilarious that all these people berate him for buying a sports team and wanting to make money with it.
I've been living in Renton for the last 8 months and have been amused by how much you all whine about this issue. If you want someone to blame, blame Howard Schultz for selling the team in the first place. Bennett and company don't owe Seattle jack.
Where were all the Microsoft and other dotcom millionaires when the Sonics were on the block?
The Sonics are going to Oklahoma so get over it.
Here is why people berate Clay Bennett.
When you buy a business that has binding contracts, that already is losing money, and sign documents and make public statements that you will do certian things, and you lie, break your word, and attempt skip out on the contracts YOU signed your name to then you shouldn't be surprised when your integrity is called into question.
Clay bought a team that was losing money, knew that it would lose more money after he bought it, and knows it will still lose money if he moves it, so what does it say about him as a businessman when he starts complaining about losing money?
The Sonics ARE not going to Oklahoma any more than the Mariners went to Tampa Bay or the Seahawks went to L.A. (both of those were more "gone" then the Sonics are). Clay is about to find out he is in way over his head and that the teams are not leaving before 2010. If he is willing to take $100 million in loses to ride it out, after overpaying by almost $100 million, then I think it sends a pretty clear message that Clay is not a very smart businessman.
Yes, we should be upset at Howard Schultz for selling to Clay but he did negotiate a deal with Clay that he didn't honor so we can't put all the blame on Schultz.
The bottom line is that the NBA doesn't give a rip what Clay wants they care about making money for the owners so as long as we do our part here the NBA is never going to let Clay move this team to a small market.
As far as im concerned, we all have Howard Schultz to blame for the eventual loss of our beloved Sonics. I was in my mothers womb for every Sonic home game at Seattle Center when they won the Championship back in '79, and have been a fan ever since. Schultz only has a business because the people of Seattle supported his company, and brand. The least he could have done was make sure the Sonics were left to a responsible owner, with the intent of keeping them here in Seattle. Instead he took the first offer, from a bunch of classless rednecks, knowing full well what the outcome would be. Im calling for an all out boycott of Starbucks, and for all who read this to spread the word. Start a domino effect. Karma will bite you in the ass, Schultz. You gave up on your city, and if i have my way, the city will give up on you. Rot in hell for an eternity.