Sonics, Hornets & Grizzlies
There was news out of Washington this weekend when Gov. Chris Gregoire told Seattle reporters that at some point city and state leaders in Seattle and Washington have to accept that the Sonics are not for sale.
Times columnist Steve Kelley had this piece in today’s paper, calling out state lawmakers to step up and provide their needed $75 million of the $300 million financial plan Seattle officials announced last week in hopes of a local group purchasing the franchise from Bennett and his partners.
Along those same lines, more than 250 fans rallied on the state capitol steps in Olympia yesterday. In this Seattle Times story, state leaders are quoted as saying no money will be provided before the current session ends Thursday.
As for the Hornets, owner George Shinn is now interested in renegotiating a 10-year lease just two months after he reached a deal with the state on a five-year extension. Shinn, in this Times-Picayune story, said he would sign a 10-year lease agreement without exit clauses if the state includes yearly financial incentives in a new deal. Under the current deal, Shinn can opt out of the team’s lease next season if the team’s average attendance isn’t at least 14,735 by the end of next season.
In other Hornets news, the much maligned television dispute that has kept a good portion of New Orleans area residents blacked out from Hornets games on Cox has reached a solution. Why is this important? Many fans in New Orleans thought the team’s early dismal attendance (among a lot of other things) was mostly a result of thousands of fans not being able to see how good the team is. With this deal now squared away, the hope in New Orleans is that attendance will increase and that 14,735 benchmark will become a realistic goal.
Also, anyone in Oklahoma counting on the Memphis Grizzlies to relocate here as some sort of Plan C in case the Sonics don’t get here and the Hornets don’t magically return can keep on dreaming. Geoff Calkins, the fine columnist for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, details why the Grizzlies aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. You can read it here.
-DM-
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Comments
gregoire’s comments, are simply political bull. she has been working feverishly, behind the scenes to get things going. if this does not get through by thursday, she will call a special session. i have been reading anything from anywhere regarding this issue. and listening to seattle sports radio non stop. so i feel the tide is turning. quickly. but no one from okc would know that from reading your cherry picked blog!!
dm, you pick and choose what sounds best for you and fellow thieves! the situation isnt as dire as you make it sound. as the truth finally gets spread through out the country. your city looks worse and worse! if thats possible!!
(Joey, what about the Hornets looking to extend their lease in New Orleans is good for Oklahoma City? Or the Grizzlies being tied to Memphis? The bit of news from Gov. Gregoire could be viewed as favorable to Oklahoma City. But I don’t see how one out of three is picking and choosing what sounds best for OKC. -DM-)