Clay Bennett Speaks
Why am I not surprised that news continues to come out of Seattle surrounding the Sonics’ situation? In Saturday’s editions of The News Tribune, a report citing an unnamed source outlined what Sonics managing partner Clay Bennett apparently told Sonics employees during his trip to Seattle earlier this week. The source tells the paper that Bennett said Oklahoma City is ready to foot the bill for the Sonics to relocate next season.
The reporters reached Bennett late Friday night, and he didn’t deny the report, saying only the statements were a hypothetical example of how a community that is interested in relocating a business might pay some of its mitigation costs.
But the article spells out what Bennett apparently told employees about what OKC is willing to pay, which includes:
* Any legal fees involving the team’s fight to break the KeyArena lease.
* Whatever the settlement is to the Seattle Center to buy out of the lease.
* All relocation fees the NBA would force the team to pay other owners.
* Costs of physically moving the team’s staff and offices.
* Costs of upgrading the Ford Center to make it NBA-ready.
* Costs of building a new arena, and when it’s finished, keeping the old facility running.
Bennett said his comments were in response to a question about how could Oklahoma City possibly be a competitive market to Seattle.
“The response was an attempt to provide some clarity as (to) why it is so important that Seattle respond and recognize at once that the team is at risk,” Bennett told The News Tribune. ”Without a successor venue at KeyArena, and without a modern facility, the team cannot remain economically viable in this marketplace.
“Our deal has never changed. On July 18, 2006, we outlined very clearly what needs to happen in order to keep the team economically viable in the marketplace, and we are continuing in the pursuit of that objective.”
My question for Bennett at his point would be for what?
If OKC is indeed willing to pay for all that, pack your bags. And something tells me, if Bennett and his partners know that OKC is indeed willing to give that much, half their bags are already packed.
- Darnell Mayberry
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Comments
That isn’t true. I live in Seattle and have been a Sonics fan since the late 70′s. We are not in denial, we know there is a very real chance the team will leave. We are just at a point where we know the city won’t come up with the $500 million ransom Clay is looking for and we need to find a way to keep this team where it belongs.
And also, the Mayor of OKC has said that he has not spoken to Clay or the Sonics about moving the team. If that is the case, why would Clay tell Loyal Seattle Sonics employee’s that OKC is ready to drop 100′s of millions to get the team to Oklahoma? weird.
because he has not said any of the things posted here yes okc is willing to do just about anything to get an nba team here but that is to help pay for upgrades and a new arena in the future
Clay Bennett needs to step up and be a man. He has refused to afford the Thunder DanceTeam the credit for all the hard work they do, including 3-4 hour practices at least 4 times per week, arriving 3-4 hours in advance for every home game. They attend promotional events, take photos with fans and sign sutographs. He has refused to support these girls with even a meal before the games. They have no time to sit down during the games because they are out on-court, cheering, dancing. He can afford to buy a professional basketball team but he cant adequately support this very vital part of this franchise. The players are unreachable to fans but the DanceTeam, Drummers, Mascot are always there for the fans and members of this Oklahoma community. Stand up and do what is right for these very dedicated, hard working athletes! If he doesn’t take care of everyone who work so hard for him, the fans may not support him for very long. We are a people who do the right thing for their fellow man. Are you truly an Oklahoman, Mr. Bennett?
As an Okie living in Washington, the locals are in a state of denial, they dont think there is any chance the Sonics will leave.
They all say the governor will step in and block the move.