League owners to vote on Sonics' relocation today
League owners to vote on Sonics' relocation today
By Darnell Mayberry
Published: April 18, 2008
NEW YORK — The fate of the Seattle SuperSonics will be decided today in a downtown New York City hotel so ritzy a can of Sprite runs $9.
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Your thoughts!
Jeff...No Bennett didn't "force" Schultz to sell. Bennett "lied" to Schultz to close the deal. There's a difference. Schultz sold the team, in good faith, to a person he thought was buying and dealing in good faith. He wasn't. That's the story. Enjoy your NBA team in...oh, 2014 or whenever the lawsuits are resolved. We still get to live in Seattle. You have to live in OKC. I think you can see the difference.
Steve, Bellevue - Apr 18, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Be proud folks in OKC you took our team, your owners lied and you won the NBA. Be very happy, The NBA is now done in Seattle, Keep them and pay for them, support them. No you took way a part of someone else livelyhood. Thanks for being such A**holes about it.
Robert, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Be proud folks in OKC you took our team, your owners lied and you won the NBA. Be very happy, The NBA is now done in Seattle, Keep them and pay for them, support them. No you took way a part of someone else livelyhood. Thanks for being such A**holes about it.
Robert, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Honestly Chris, I was never on the ledge. I was using reverse psychology, making a negative, so I could have a positive. It is hard to explain, but I was never on a ledge bro, trust me. Perhaps June counts, but let's listen to Stern at the moment. Again though, all my negativity was for a reason, but I was highly optimistic whereas people never knew. When I went outside today to go to work, I had a strong feeling the vote would actually go well. Something about the way today looked outside. It was brighter then normal, and to me, that was a good sign of things to come.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:34 pm
David, you can relax now, get off the ledge, put away the Xanax...this is no surprise, except perhaps to you. It changes nothing...June is what counts.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:29 pm
See... If you don't get your hopes up, then you usually get a nice surprise. See not getting my hopes up, now I am happy. Why? Because the vote ended up being 28-2 in favor of the move. I love reverse psychology. Now all that matters to me is seeing the Sonics stay in Seattle to ride out that lease for 2 years.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:23 pm
People from Seatle are acting like Bennett scammed them & that everything was great before he came along. Did he force Schultz to sell? Did other people have a chance to buy? The answers are NO & YES, in that order. The team was in trouble for several years. Bennett et al bought it. He gave Seatle the opportunity to keep it & they VOTED it down. For anyone that asserts that Bennett was unreasonable in saying the Sonics can't keep playing in Key Arena, David Stern (i.e. the Comissionar of the NBA) AGREES with Bennett. It's by far the worst Arena in the NBA. Oh, & to the genius who thought Chris Paul hated OKC. Nope. You're thinking of Charles Barkely, who's never spent any time here. The Hornets loved the place. Heck, THEY'RE owner wanted to move here.
Jeff, Del City - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:13 pm
That's all I am... Potentially excited to see my city get a professional team. That is also because I try to be passionate about the city I live in. You Seattle folk shouldn't hate anyone other then the people in Seattle who couldn't get things done for the citizens, Clay and his crew for buying your team, and those OKC people here who resort to name calling and belittling.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:11 pm
W....I'm completely at a loss. I told you twice what I'm after and you don't get it. You're not going to get it. You take a perfectly clear image like the Christmas scenario and try to make it so narrow that you can't even see the analogy. OF COURSE the kid didn't have the gifts for 40 YEARS. Good Grief, how literal are you? The analogy works just fine. I'm sorry you can't grasp that but it makes trying, which I AM doing, to answer you reasonably VERY hard....And, YEAH: there is a time after you tell someone you're sorry that they start to move on. Does it happen instantly in Norman, W? When OU is screwed out of a victory by a bad call and the official admits later he might have blown it, do you INSTANTLY forget it? I bet you're going to still mutter a while and then keep a REAL CLOSE eye on that guy the next time he shows up to call a game. It's NOT TIME for us to move on, yet. The issue is FAR from settled, no matter what the NBA Bored of Governors does today. And NO, you're not sorry enough, you're NOT upset enough, NOT ALL of you. I'm still offended by the MORONS who DO gloat. I didn't come into this forum to butt heads with reasonable people who do feel a little ambivalent while still feeling excited about the prospect of having an NBA team. You should be excited. I'm originally from Greensboro, NC. A few years ago, after I moved our here, the city could have had the Minnesota Twins relocate there. But the voters overwhelmingly rejected the stadium funding plan. So, no MLB. I was FURIOUS...but a little relieved, too. I love the Twins and they wouldn't be the Twins if they didn't play in that bloated baggie of a stadium and weren't in Minneapolis. I would have moved back to Greensboro and gone to games but I would have also been sad that Minneapolis citizens, after supporting the team for, what, 50 years, had to watch them pack up and leave. I came here thinking, from what I've always known about Oklahomans - whom I've always considered the salt of the Earth - that I'd read about how excited everybody is but also how they want Clay Bennett to EXPLAIN HIMSELF and his partners' actions. Instead, I found gloating and dismissive comments about "whining babies in Seattle", as though we were supposed to just shut up and go along with being lied to and NOT try to keep the team. Well, sorry to disappoint you. But you'd do the same thing and I also notice that NOBODY has denied that. What I am looking for here, now, is really kind of petty, even to me: I don't want all the gloating, smug, endorsers of Bennett's shady business methods to just read on, slapping each other on the backs, without injecting a little bit of reality/downer into the proceedings. I'm stating Seattle's case accurately because those people are distorting it beyond belief. I've read such utter trash about this whole situation here and our city that I can't even believe it came out of a rational human's keyboard. So, if I'm raining on your parade, get used to it. It'll stop when it IS time to move on, not before.
Steve, Bellevue - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Nah... Actually when I get this 2009, I will barely put miles on it. It has to last me for the long haul. I don't buy into that every ten years, or one year thing. Once I get the new model, I will lay in bed with it. Everyone thinks I am wierd... Most people normally put 10k on a car a year. I have a hard time putting 2k on my car a year. I got a Cavalier lined up (as sort of my family car, but it still looks a bit sporty,) to tote around the family, so that will take a lot of usage by my Camaro. :D
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Nah... Actually when I get this 2009, I will barely put miles on it. It has to last me for the long haul. I don't buy into that every ten years, or one year thing. Once I get the new model, I will lay in bed with it. Everyone thinks I am wierd... Most people normally put 10k on a car a year. I have a hard time putting 2k on my car a year. I got a Cavalier lined up (as sort of my family car, but it still looks a bit sporty,) to tote around the family, so that will take a lot of usage by my Camaro. :D
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:01 pm
David...I am glad you are staying true to your motto:
"I will buy a new Camaro every 10 years if I need to or not"...Good for you.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Off the blocks... LOL! It drives great. Bout to get rid of it though, for a gas saver, for 9 months before the big daddy arrives. THE 2009 CAMARO! *drools* Think I'm going with Metallic blue or turqoise with white stripes down the middle. Think Bumblebee's paint scheme but with the colors I stated. Man I cannot wait. I hear those cars have some serious horsepower behind them. Of course it could never beat a muscle car in my opinion.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Was about to say... So far one said he did vote yes... What I find funny about the story is that one came forward to tell us he did vote for us. I wonder if that could be, because we are in for some dissapointment. By that I mean, he felt he needed to go on the record now, because most probably said no. Who knows, but I just don't get why one wanted to go on the record so quickly, whereas others have not.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:42 pm
David, you need to get that '99 Camaro off the blocks in the front yard. The neighbors are complaining. You idea of "classic car" is not what theirs is.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Actually, that is my bad... I miss-typed that. The NBA owners voted, the results aren't out yet. Sorry, I was so anxious and jumped to conclusions.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Oh that's cool... Well at least you guys will see that I am not all negative then. I will add that sometimes I like to watch people get beheaded in Iraq. I KNOW I KNOW! You guys think I am acting sick... But there is a reason. See we all take life for granted. Anytime I have bad thoughts and try to go all sour, I watch or think about those videos, and poof, like that I realize I am lucky to be alive. That plus my friends, friends baby son passing away just 4 days ago, and my problems shrink. Everyone is entitled to problems, hell, we are only human. However when we think about all this needless fighting, and other ways us humans take life for granted outside our houses, we all just need to think about how lucky we really are to live past the age of 1.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:38 pm
And David you aren't being "real" you're just trying to get attention because you don't know any other way to do it.
W, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:38 pm
David said, "BTW, prediction still stands, YES: 14, NO:15, or worse." BTW, NBA owners vote for OKc relocation.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Actually David, I meant to type "Steve" instead. It was directed towards him. Sorry.
W, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I can agree with that lanez... Muscle cars FTW. My friend who lives seven blocks away has an old Mustang. I keep trying to get him to fix it up, and if he did, it would look really kickass. I just like the design of the 90's Camaro body. I didn't even like the old look before the 94's came out. I will have to adapt to the 09 version, but after watching Transformers over and over, I think I am getting used to it more and more.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:31 pm
W in Norman... Bro I couldn't be happier in life. However because I can get dissapointed in things like the NBA teasing us, after showing so much support, is my dissapointment to feel. If you think I dog all citizens of OKC, you are wrong. I dog the capitalist asses who think they cannot stand up because they are less fortunate then the millionaires. We are all a part of this city. So yes I am constantly dissapointed in the capitalist bunch here, as well as those who act with arrogance drawn out from pure speculation. That is called jumping the gun. Back to you thinking I will never be happy in life. You know, I know this girl, her name is Lora. She lives in Yukon. Recently her friend named Heather (I don't know the lady,) had a 1 year old baby who they had to pull the plug on. ON ITS FIRST BIRTHDAY! To me that symbolizes that everytime I wake up, I need to be thankful to god for letting me live another day. Which I am always thankful for everything. You know what is funny though. PEOPLE here (those seeking to fight and call names,) choose to keep at it, while an infant had to die on his first birthday. AN INFANT DIES! WE CONTINUE TO TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED! Yes, my shit is stained as well in this life, as is everyones. I am very happy to be alive, but like every other human, will express dissapointment in the face of what I believe is common sense. The Seattle folk like to say they are keeping their team, are you mad at the fact you feel I am agreeing with them, when I shouldn't just because of where I live? Think about people in Iraq bro. Getting blown up left and right, for Bush's petty liberation of oil fields. I have a friend in the field now who will agree with that, and even supports Bush. Anyhow, while they die, we continue to take advantage of life. Let me make a bet right now though. I bet someone chimes in, and says, "but that's the way life works." or reword it as, "well life is always unfair." For everyone who thinks negative, I like to think that I can, for the most part, take a negative and turn it into a positive. However, when it comes to something where there are no facts, one cannot use anything other then speculation based on any form of common sense, to form their own beliefs. That is why I think the vote will be NO, but many Oklahomans see that as being negative, when I am just being real with myself.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Wha kind of sucks is most of the Sonic players...if they had it there way...would stay in Seattle. I know of one player that said he would never resign..that once his contract was up he would sign somewhere else. I think Chris Paul said it best..its like a big baron waste land. No big name player is going to want to sign there. The Sonics will be here for at least 2 more seasons...during that time of which out legislative will get the money put together. Bennet will sell...because believe me he DOES have a price. Everyone does. And you guys will get Memphis which is by far a crappier market than Seattle is...and Seattle isnt even crappy. Attendence went down when the team was sold...before that everything was awesome. All of this will be decided in courts....voiding the contract probably wont happen...the lease will be enforced though. No way out of that. Most attorneys will tell you that. They are still SEATTLE Sonics...in the end both parties will get what they want. We get our team and you guys will get Memphis. The NBA will get so sick of the bad PR they will have no choice but to force PBC hand. Also I would like to see what happened to that Ed Evans guy (I think that was his name). Wasnt he part of the original PBC group and then without explanation pushed out? I betcha he as information that would be even ore damning against Clay and his group. He has been hiding from what I have read. Weird..........
phillip, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:25 pm
None of the above. If I had to chose, I'd probably say a 70's land-cruiser or something that has its own sense of character that doesn't scream "look at the car I have to have because I'm compensating for other shortfalls." Cool comes from within. And I'm far from a teen.
lanez, Edmond - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Oh, one more thing lanez... What's cooler? Camaro, Truck, or ten second tricked out rice burner? Just curious. I see the trend of teens thinking they need to trick out cars as of late to make up for smaller things. All that chrome has to be on there for some reason. To lure chicks because what's between their legs cannot? However, this is just curiosity mixed with another opinion. Would like to know what you think.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:19 pm
David, I think you missed the point of why I asked you the question. As far as feeling sympathy or remorse, what is all of that going to do for you? How is that going to help you? Is that going to solve the problem? Did that somehow make you the "bigger person" and start to talk to the entire state like a disapproving parent? And as far as my Christmas analogy, you can't compare the presents being stolen from the kid on Christmas because the kid didn't have them 40 years, so yours wasn't really an accurate analogy. And yes there is a point after you tell someone that you are sorry, that they start to move on. And no, of course I don't enojy the posts that are bloating. It seems a little ridiculous to ask that question after I just said I don't think there are going to be winners in this entire situation at the beginning of my last post. So since you are all about talking about what's going wrong with this situation..why don't instead you start to talk about how Oklahoma can make it right for you? Because it seems like a losing battle with you anyway. We don't feel sorry enough. We aren't upset enough. You aren't going to be happy no matter what happens. So I'm not sure what you are looking for here now.
W, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:18 pm
OH NO LOOK! I spelt neighbor wrong, heh... I need some spelling classes now. >:)
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Not really quaking... Just waiting for the prospect of being right. Sorry I am an idiot in your books. Would any of that stem from having a negative opinion that is different then most people who post here from OKC? If so, then I guess I am a true idiot forever and always, because whatever opinion I feel like having, I will. Negative or positive. That is, if, you are calling me an idiot for those reasons alone. However, if not, then what would spark the rash name calling from a fellow neightbor? BTW, prediction still stands, YES: 14, NO:15, or worse.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Lanez, an observation... If you have to think about what's cool, you're not.
Dana, Parkland - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:12 pm
No, David, but you've proven yourself to be equally the idiot. Please get out of the eighties. It's time to cut off the mullet, put on a shirt with sleeves and buy a real car. Camaros were cool back in 1986, but they ar far from cool now. Vote will come in pretty soon. Are you quaking in your boots, yet, Mr. Negativity?
lanez, Edmond - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:09 pm
David, one thing that means the most to millionaire athletes and their salaries is if Oklahoma has a state income tax...Washington does not...makes up for a higher price on your F-150! <----- You actually mean my Camaro Chris? I drive a 99 Camaro, which will soon be the 2009 Camaro, for 8 thousand bucks cheaper then anyone else on this planet will be driving it for. I'm not a shit kickin truck driver bro, sorry. >:)
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Buld???? I could not find that word in the dictionary.
Philip, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Good Lord, W, did you even read that post you made reference to?...(sigh)...Okay, here it is again, pasted in from that post. Just so we're clear, HERE'S WHAT I THINK YOU SHOULD DO: ....."This should NOT be painless for OKC. Even if none of the dirt that Clay Bennett slung up here had ever happened, it should STILL not be a totally joyful occasion for ANY city to take an NBA team away from ANY other city. You SHOULD feel sympathy for the fans of the Seattle Sonics. You should feel this as a slightly bittersweet thing. You should NOT be posting messages here that basically say nothing more than, "Neener, neener, neener!" THAT'S why fan blogs all over the country are buzzing with complaints about this deal: because if it can happen to Seattle, it can happen to any other NBA city."......THAT'S what you should do. To use your analogy, would you go out in the street the day after Christmas, waving around your shiny new present, if the kid across the street had all his toys stolen on Christmas eve? Would you be cruel enough to rub that in his face? You seem like a resonable person. Do YOU enjoy all these posts on here that gloat about the HIGHLY questionable nature of this mess? I came on here, over a week ago, mainly to see how people in OKC felt about Clayton Bennett; if they were concerned by his lies to David Stern. What I found made my blood boil. I had registered on this website back when Bennett bought the team. It had lapsed. I re-registered just to fight back against that kind of callous disregard for another city's misfortune. I'm in the middle of painting my house and making improvements before we sell it. I've wasted an enormous amount of time responding here. And it's not even like Seattle will be substantially diminished if the Sonics leave. We're getting an MLS soccer team, working on an NHL franchise, and still have the Storm, Mariners, Seahawks, and Thunderbirds. We're still one of the two or three most beautiful, cleanest, most liveable cities in the US, still the most dynamic business climate in the country, still the most interesting and diverse population base - next to San Francisco - in America, still the nation's most educated city, still the safest large city in North America, and on and on. It's just the principle of the thing. I hope I've answered you sufficiently.
Steve, Bellevue - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:56 pm
David, one thing that means the most to millionaire athletes and their salaries is if Oklahoma has a state income tax...Washington does not...makes up for a higher price on your F-150!
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:55 pm
This vote is a show of strength for Stern and how incestuous this group of billionaires is, nothing more. The June trial is everything. Don't get the flap in your drawers all drawn up tight if this thing goes Bennett's way today. It is a minor side show to the real deal in June.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:53 pm
HA! Tom - Tom - Tom... I have done screenplays for Hollywood already. They don't take kindly to error. This isn't Hollywood, nor is it a spelling bee. I don't need to impress anyone here, with what you think is bad grammar. Snicker all you want bro, it's fine with me. I'm glad I can benefit you people with the gift of comedy. Good or bad. The fact remains though... Living here in this city, money is never an issue, and I am terribly sorry that you think these millionaires are somehow choking me or anyone else here, out of money. Like my collection Tom? That is what happens when you don't bend over backward, trading games in just to get screwed over by the store you traded them in at (movies too.) You actually buld quite the collection, while making sure that any lack of patience isn't going unrewarded by allowing oneself to not get messed over by a gamestore or movie store that will sell them back for 5 dollars less then the asking price of a new copy. Sometimes it's great to be an Oklahoman. We just need more to do. Or at least I do. Too much life to live. :D
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:50 pm
News from New York. The meeting is over. The owners have all left the Hotel and will be given ample time to get on their private jets and get out of town before the results are announced.
mickey, sumner - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:43 pm
David, David, David....All the money you spend on video games and toys is a waste. May I suggest to you that you invest in a spelling class. That would "guarantee" you a better life and we on the blog would not snicker at your posts.
Philip, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Hey DOK, do us ALL a favor. Get Carl in Bridgeports IP address and ban this idiot. I for one am very offended by is asnine comments. He adds absolutely nothing to any article with his insulting posts.Our world will be a better place with this action. I feel he has abused his rights to post here. REVOKE his OKLAHOMA privledges. I hope he is not a typical Washingtonian. Hopefully he is the exception rather than the rule. Man what a piece of work. Your mother must be proud. I can only hope you are not an adult. If so you really do have some maturity issues.As I have said before here, I am not an NBA fan. I doubt I will attend any games. People like you give me a warm feeling when it comes to you losing your beloved Sonics. Now buzz off Carl !
Tom, Stillwater - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Steve, I'd like to ask you a question. I'm actually on neither side of this whole thing. I don't think it's going to be a win for anyone in the end. Based on your posts I understand that you are upset. And I know that some people in Oklahoma have made rude childish comments, but I've also seem the same posts all of the internet about Oklahoma. Here is Oklahoma we went through ridicule after it was talked about the Hornets moving here...then it became about how they might possibly stay..and now it's comments about us possibly getting another team. You kept mentioning that no one was able to anaswer your question "What did you expect us to do?" It seems that you are answering your own question because no one is really answering it the way that you would have. So my question to you is: what is it that you expect us to do? We are also caught in the middle of all of this, and are excited at the same time. It's kind of like getting a Christmas present but then told you can't play with it or be excited about it. Honestly, Oklahomans from what I've seen and read aren't really sure how they are supposed to react. If the league was losing money there, they would move to another place anyway, even if it wasn't here. I think whether it happened now or 2 years from now this same reaction would have happened. We were finally given an opportunity with the Hornets because we actually had an arena already. It was part of the city expanding the entire downtown area. So, actually, for as many bad comments that Oklahoma still gets regarding the kind of people that might live here, it's a great state with great people. We had nothing to do with the decision. And it's just stupid to base an entire complaint against an entire state because of one individual. So, asking you the same question....WHAT DID YOU EXPECT US TO DO??? We feel bad that it is happening this way and of course had nothing to do with it. But, we are still excited! It's the first time in history that Oklahoma could be considered "home" for a professional sports team and as a state we feel really good about that. We have coem a long way in the last 10 years, and it's nice to see people finally notice! But I know we wish it would have been some other way... and for that I apologize to the fans in Seattle. But then again, I'm apologizing for something that has nothing to do with anything that I did. So Oklahoma is sorry, but maybe you should send Clay an e-mail or give him a call. Because you might just be preaching to the choir in this blog to people that didn't have anything to do with it.
W, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The story said: "Similar measures have been rejected in Seattle — where the Sonics play in the league's smallest arena — even before the Oklahoma owners bought the team."
That's complete and utter B.S., a complete distortion of what happened in Seattle.
Seattle is still paying off for an extensive remodel of Key Arena, completed only ten yars ago to fulfill every demand made by the Sonics at that time. Now Bennett says he won't even consider using the Arena.
Bennett then demanded Seattle build him a completely new arena costing in excess of $350 million, 95% paid by tax dollars, and the taxpayers being responsible for the inevitable cost overruns, to be recovered only by sales tax revenues. Bennett would have complete control of the facility and all revenues (including non-basketball revenue), but the taxpayers would pay all maintenance and operating costs of the facility. It was clearly a deal only a fool would sign, and Bennett knew it. The e-mails recently revealed prove that Bennett was never bargaining in good faith with Seattle.
Seattle has quite a bit of experience with pro sports teams, having built new facilities for both the Mariners and the Seahawks within the past ten years. We know when we are being presented with a sucker deal when we see one.
Bennett argued Seattle and the State could recoup their expenses from increased sales tax revenue, but in recent court filings his lawyers have argued that having the Sonics move from Seattle would result in no economic loss to the city, as the team has no net effect on sales tax revenue.
If Oklahoma City wants to do business with a scoundrel like that, I guess it’s there business. But if they think their investment is going to be limited to 150 million for a few band-aids on an existing arena, then you are about to be taken for a ride.
Rick, Everett - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I would honestly love to see an expansion team before anything. However I have no say so other then what I could do personally, which is vote YES on March 4th, and buy season tickets for whatever team comes here. I don't know Clay, Aubrey, or Tom in person, so I cannot say how well I would get along or like them. That is why us humans were born. To be different. That is why you see me being unoptimistic where many others are. I'm being different. That is why you see me trash talk the city I have lived in all my life. I am not afraid to be different. I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong about anything, let alone my city. My city has faults. My city shows a lack of getting things done. Seattle showed a lack of getting things done well before this Clay cat, came along on his horse yelling, "KEEKEEKEEKEE KEE." We are all pawns here. OKC wants a team, some don't here. Some in Seattle don't care if a team stays, some do. Both sides are underneath the boots of those in power. How bout we just send this shit to Agent Mulder? He'll slap an X-File on this and find the truth for both sides.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Cool Lynn... I will send it around the time stated if not sooner. As for you Seattle folk, check out those links. You will see the cost of living in OKC, and just what you can do when you budget well. Bet you guys will be awestruck to know I am about to land an 2009 Camaro for 12,500 bucks, and a small loan of 2,500 bucks for a total of 15k. The car itself costs 23-25k. Parents can get it cheaper, and it will be awesome to hand them that much cash in hand. These people who say that whenever something in this city is done and it hurt thems, to me, seems like it only hurts them because they let it. I have never been affected by anything in this city other then paying for BUSH GAS, and that dork doesn't even live here.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:03 pm
David, you bring up an excellent point. I do know that the pro teams that have come to Seattle as expansion teams made us here in the area feel pretty good about it. The Seattle Pilots, (now the Milwaukee Brewers) The Seattle Mariners, and the Seahawks coming to town as 'new' teams made us feel like like, "hey, we're a big league city now", back in the '60's (Pilots) and '70's. (Mariners and Seahawks) Instead of some troubled team looking for a city to adopt them.
Dana, Parkland - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:02 pm
You are right David. I just find it amusing. The whole, what did you guys think we would do, arguement seems very non-premeditated arguement. I am not saying that Clay, Aubry, or Tom are stand up guys, but hell how long do you stare at your house burning down before you call the fire department? It just seems stupid to me.
Kevin, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:58 am
I'm sorry, naes, but NO, that does not answer the question. I didn't ask how you expected us to FEEL. I asked what you expected us to DO. And I'm STILL asking. As for slinging insults, I'm guilty and expect you to respond in kind. I started slinging insults because I read a lot of these smirky, self-satisfied posts on here that basically said, "Well, it don't matter what Clay-Clay did. We want us a b-ball team and that's all that matters!" Not everybody acted that way, of course; many of you have said the right thing: "We want a team, of course, but we know why you feel so bad and angry and it DOES matter to me how we get it." I find it offensive when I come across people who not only want to take a civic icon away from ANY city, as though it were some cheap bauble you brought home from the Space Needle, and don't care AT ALL how you got it. Lying? Okay. Signing a contract under false pretenses? Dandy; pretenses don't matter! Arrogance and condescension? That's just window dressing; Seattle crybabies whining about their own bad luck! I promise you guys one thing: IF somebody came to OKC and acted like Clayton Bennett acted here, there wouldn't be any of this indignation and lawsuits. Seattle is very genteel that way. YOU GUYS would run the arrogant, peremptory, condescending, abrupt, dismissive, haughty, mumbly SOB out of OKC on a rail, tarred and feathered, with 86 pairs of spurs stuck in his fanny. Which is exactly what we should have done, if we weren't the most laid-back, non-confrontational dead spot on the planet Earth. I'm quite sure he doesn't treat you guys like he treated ALL of us up here. He might be a haughty idiot down there but he probably dosn't pee of your head and tell you it's raining. The question stands and it will continue to stand until somebody answers it: WHAT THE HECK DID YOU EXPECT US TO DO? OF COURSE we're anrgry. OF COURSE we're insulting. OF COURSE we're raining on your parade. This should NOT be painless for OKC. Even if none of the dirt that Clay Bennett slung up here had ever happened, it should STILL not be a totally joyful occasion for ANY city to take an NBA team away from ANY other city. You SHOULD feel sympathy for the fans of the Seattle Sonics. You should feel this as a slightly bittersweet thing. You should NOT be posting messages here that basically say nothing more than, "Neener, neener, neener!" THAT'S why fan blogs all over the country are buzzing with complaints about this deal: because if it can happen to Seattle, it can happen to any other NBA city. How long are we going to go on rolling over to flat-out, bald-faced extortion by the NBA? "Well, you folks have to buy us a half-billion dollar arena, and give your team's owner ALL the profits from it, or we'll just take our team elsewhere!" In one sense, I'm REALLY proud of our leaders here for saying no to the Renton arena deal. They should have said no, especially after Clay Bennett went on the radio here and said he didn't see why his group "should have to put up one single dime" to build it. THAT's what we've been through. If all you have to put up with is a few angry posts here and some insults, either consider yourselves lucky...or stop reading.
Steve, Bellevue - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:55 am
that's fine, I will post the address, and you can send it any time.
Lynn, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:55 am
No one in any state will ever admit to anything on their end Kevin. It is a sad truth. Humans have too much pride, or most humans. They will see this as started the moment Clay bought the team, but will never think of all that transpired BEFORE Shchultz had the team up for sale. Why did he want to sell again? I forgot. It started with that, but WHY, did he have to sell it anyway to make Clay step up and buy the team? I am simply curious. But no Kevin, people don't believe in seeing anything wrong on their end. That is why arguements happen between relationships and people in the world. Everyone always has to feel as if they are right, or in the know better then others.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:51 am
To answer the question, that supposdly we are not answering for you guys up north. We thought you would have done something about it, oh i dont know, within the last two freakin years. My question to you cats is why did you wait so long? Maybe, because you really did not care?
Kevin, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:47 am
I suggest anyone here take a look at the links I provided in my response to Tom. Seattle folk will easily see that the cost of living in this huge city, will always allow you to spoil yourself and your family, but you still have to budget. OH NOES CLAY SUCKED ME DRY!!! :D
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:47 am
Oh and also, I meant capitalist assholes as in those in OKC who are too afraid to stand up and think everything should fall on those who are more fortunate them themselves. Oh and Dana, I know YOU weren't ragging on our city, and for that I thank you for being mature. I do hope that if we get the team, they at least play out their lease in Seattle, as your word is your bond. I want an expansion however, as something new is always better then something that's been around awhile. Sucks you don't like Basketball, but I'm sure you find other ways to live a kickass life. We only live once.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:45 am
The press confernce was scheduled for 12:00 Noon in NYC. It now 12:45 EDT and no announcement of a new time. Wonder why it's taking so long?
mickey, sumner - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:44 am
Wow Tom, way to be an ass... Here let me explain to you... My sons birthday is on May 13th. There are these toys, right, they are based off the new Transformers Animated show. Yea those aren't even going to be on retail shelves until June 22nd. Guess what though? I got friends in Ohio, where they are test marketing the toys. They are sending me the entier wave 1 of figures for my son. That is well over 100 bucks plus shipping. So much for this city not being known but I got friends in all places? Anyhow, when you factor that, the 100 bucks I am about to spend on Eye of Judgment Set 2 cards for the PS3 game (which I also have to spend 15 bucks to download the software to play those cards,) plus GTAIV which is going to run me 65 bucks, then Wii Fit in May which will run me another 100 bucks. Iron Man the game in May which is 65 bucks, taking my son and fiancee to see the movie on May 2nd which is 21 bucks, seeing indiana jones on may 22nd which will be 21 bucks, and buying five games in june at 65 dollars each, then taking a trip to San Antonio where I gaurenteed to spend 500 extra bucks on just food, toys for the kids, and souvenirs.... Yea I would have to pay the donation at that specified time. YEA CLAY HAS ME REALLY HAMPERED DOWN BRO!!! I couldn't be laughing more hard right now. Here ya go bro. ----------> http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/zerox101/Game%20and%20DVD%20Collection/ <------------ That's what living in a cheap state can give me. Extra money, ontop of everything I buy... Here ya go bro. ----------> http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/zerox101/2007%20Purchases/ <------------ That's is how many games I bought in 2007 alone. That doesn't include all the other fun I have to provide for my family (movies, DVD's for the kids, anniversary gifts, anything extra.) Here ya go bro. --------------> http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/zerox101/2008%20Purchases/ <-------------- That is how many games I have bought so far in 2008... DUDE BUT YOU GOT ME! Clay is sapping me dry. Look at those links and weep at what it means to jump the gun before you see the facts. You know what is ironic... I still am not some capitalist asshole who is afraid to pony up my own blood for the sake of the city, where many feel the millionairs should've. HAHAHAHAHAHA!
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:39 am
If Clay can't vote I say it will be 25-4 in favor of the relocation. A few naysayers just got swayed.
Mike, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:36 am
David - I don't think I've ever dumped on OKC. In fact, yesterday I mentioned that it is the type of city I'd like to live in. My only beef with the Sonics deal is that their contract with the city of Seattle should be honored. I'm not a BB fan.
Dana, Parkland - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:34 am
The Children's Center in Bethany is a GREAT local charity.
Mike, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:32 am
Are the seven who are from the relocation committee who have been down here already (7) apart of the BOG? If so, are you people saying that 7 are gaurenteed to say YES? I still think it will be YES: 14, NO: 15 since I know now Clay cannot vote.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:29 am
Gee Dave, do you have to wait that long to pay off a $25 bet? What happened, to big of a tax bill brought to you by the Bennett group that you are now tight in the wallet?
Philip, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:28 am
Btw, for those confused, there are 30 owners, but only 29 get to vote (Bennett can't vote as he owns the team in question). That means 15 votes IS a majority.
Jeff, Del City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:27 am
Bottom line, if the folks of Seatle wanted this team, they'd still have it. But they don't. They have continually voted down measures that would have kept them there, even before Bennett bought it. Seatlites are the ones being dishonest, trying to milk Bennett for every dime they can simply because they think they can. And how is paying out the lease on Key Arena NOT honoring it??? You don't want the team, just some money. What does that say about the folks in the Pacific Northwest?
Jeff, Del City - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:26 am
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