Here comes the NBA
It’s not happening with a big boom. It’s a series of smaller cosmic events, which tempers the excitement. More of a boil than an explosion. But make no mistake what is happening. The NBA is on its way to Oklahoma City.
Listen to this Seattle Times quote from Seattle city council president Richard Conlin, concerning the Sonics’ $26 million offer to buy out the franchise’s KeyArena lease: “I think they were bluffing and hoping to panic people into making a decision, but that’s something lawyers do. On the other hand, as an opening gun in negotiations, while it’s not an offer we’d accept, it’s not that far from a credible offer. So I don’t think it’s a bad-faith effort on their part.”
Some others in Seattle are talking nonsense. City attorney said that if the Sonics offered $200 million, then there might be talks. But Conlin was much closer to the truth. I don’t think the Sonics were bluffing, and I don’t think Clay Bennett’s lawyers were hoping to panic Seattle into taking the first offer, but I do think it was an opening salvo in the negotiations. The $26 million was lower than what I thought it would take — I’m guessing around $40 million — but like Conlin said, that’s not that far from a credible offer, and the number is fluid anyway. Over the next few months, dates arrive that will change each side’s negotiating power. The OKC vote March 4 and the April NBA vote, which if all goes well for the Sonics will swing power to Bennett. The June court date on buying out the lease, which I expect Seattle to win and would return the advantage to the city. The nearing of the drop-dead relocation date, probably early August, which will give Seattle the upper hand until it passes, when that hammer is gone and the Sonics, knowing they face another lame-duck season, will drop their offer dramatically.
It makes for great theater. It doesn’t make for great excitement, not Sonic boom excitement, but all told, it means the NBA inches closer and closer to OKC.
-------------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. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
A 50-million offer is a good starting point. Enough to pay off the bonds and start fumigating the owner’s box.
Open your wallet Jim B., and oh yes, bend over. The NBA initiation is about to begin!
It’s not making the tax go up any more than it already is and the tax money that is spent on the Ford Center to get it ready for the Sonics will be repayed ten fold back to the city by the team,fans and vistors to the city on the money they spend at each home game to eat and party while they here to see the game. And it will also might set us up to attract another pro sport like football or baseball or NASCAR. It will put OKC and Oklahoma on the map for sure.
I will be happy if the City gets an NBA team..Just do not think the taxpayer should pay any part of it. City is already talking about another MAPS project, on top of the NBA project, more sales tax. I think that even if the sales tax is turned down the Sonics owners will still come here. It’s kind of like the tar baby, they got their foot stuck in it and now can not free themselves. So what does the common man get out this a new floor, new rest rooms, a new look to the outside of the building. The big shots get new private dining areas, new suites, more amenities that only they will see. And of course the mayor gets free tickets and all the shoomzing he can stand.