Sonics for sale?
The Seattle Times reported today that a Seattle businessman says he has put together a group willing to buy the NBA Sonics and the WNBA Storm. Interesting. And not inplausible, that Clay Bennett and his group could throw up their hands try to make a profit and get out of town.
But I don’t think so. What’s more interesting from an Oklahoma City perspective is the apparent interest in buying at least the Storm. The WNBA franchise is reasonably popular in town and will be a huge bargaining chip in Bennett’s negotiations to break his KeyArena lease. Let us leave early, Bennett will say, and we’ll leave behind the Storm.
Now there is a group, publicly stated, interested in owning the Storm (albeit with the Sonics). Bennett will give that group a chance to show just how much it is interested in the WNBA.
Why wouldn’t Bennett sell the Sonics, too, and walk away? Because it’s too hard to get into the NBA club of ownership. Too hard to get another franchise. Bennett is intrigued by NBA ownership, not just in OKC. He would have enjoyed owning the Sonics even if it had stayed in Seattle. His partners, not so much. I believe they want a team in Oklahoma City. Selling the Sonics appeases neither of those goals.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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Comments
I thought that the Hornets would never play a full season back in New Orleans. I heard that some of the jewlery stolen on Canal St. 4 days after Katrina were recovered and given back to the rightfull owners. I don’t feel sorry for those theives either. Don’t believe everything that you hear when it comes out of George Shins mouth. Good luck with the Sonics.
“He would have enjoyed owning the Sonics even if it had stayed in Seattle”. ? Isn’t the team still in Seattle?