STOP BLAMING BENNETT !!!!!!

After a couple of weeks of reading everything I could find about Bennett and the purchase of the Sonics, my conclusion is that Bennett is only a small part of the Sonics impending relocation. I will agree that he intended to move the Sonics to OKC. I believe that he knew all along that Seattle would not build a new arena. That is the city of Seattle,s fault. I feel the city knew that the Sonics would occupy the Key no more than 45 times a year. A 500 million dollar price tag was to much to build another. 

The lease contract is another issue. They very well may have to play in Seattle for the next 2 years, (I doubt it). It is hard to believe that any judge would force the completion of a contract, knowing that Bennett and his group would stand to lose millions of dollars due to the lack of support from the fans and the city. Let it be noted that there are many contracts modified for that very reason in all aspects of business, large or small. From everthing I have read, the conclusion to all this mess is that Bennett buys out the remainder of the lease. But who knows?

Bennett is a basketball man. For some of you Seattle people who don't know, Bennett was a part owner of the San Antonio Spurs in the 1990,s. He has always wanted a franchise of his own. He saw this chance to buy a team, bring it to OKC, and he is well on his way of doing it. He knows full well he will make this team a winner, make it profitible, and will get the full support of the fans in Oklahoma.

Seattle fans should be blaming their leaders for not doing everything to keep their beloved team. Only this lame last ditched effort going on now is simply to save face. You guys want to blame everyone but the people that created this mess. Your city government should be held accountable for the poor decisions they made for the city. It is just unfortunate for the true basketball fans of Seattle. I am afraid that if your city leaders keep pissing off the NBA, you will never get another team.   

Shadow, I figured you would respond with the same old BS you always say on this message board.  He lied, he mislead, he is a crook, etc. Stop whining. Business is business. Not all business in this world is fair. As it stated in this mornings newspaper, nobody in Seattle cried when GM closed their plant in OKC. As nobody cried in OKC when Boeing left Seattle for Chicago. The relocation of the team to OKC pales in comparison to those businesses moving. So, as I said business is business. It is easy for Seattle fans to blame Bennett, Stern, and whoever else. I would bet that given the same chance, most people would do the same thing. And those that would'nt, are not smart business people. There is no doubt that it is a bad situation, but it seems that the blame should not rest on Bennett,s shoulder alone. If he lied to the people of Seattle, that is unfortunate. He has not lied to us, and until he does, he is just fine with me. He and his inlaws have done many great things for the people of Oklahoma, and will continue to do so. Bennett seems to be a doer, not just a talker. He gets things done, and that is why he has the support of many Oklahomans.

Wazz,  I will agree that if Bennett lied to you guys, that sucks. I am sure that is not the only lying going on in the sports world concerning ownership, relocation or whatever. If his demands for a new arena was a last minute deal, some may view that has a good business move, while others think it was a chicken sh*t move. Honestly, I don't know enough about the Key Arena situation to comment other than I have seen pictures of the inside, and although it looks like a great place to watch a game, it does not seem to have all the bells and whistles that the new ones have. I guess in today,s world, you have to have an arena that has a 100 suites that most businesses cannot afford, seats that the average fan cannot afford. I am not sure but I think Seattle is the only city in the NBA without a new building. It may have been great 12 years ago, but not by today,s standards. There have been to many built since the Key renovation. So, it appears the city of Seattle was not willing to build another building.

  Let,s forget about the 45 days a year the team would occupy the building. That leaves 320 other days to occupy the building. Would'nt you think Seattle,s city leaders would think about that instead of {The arena is just for basketball} ?  7/8 of the time, the team would'nt be there. Is that not enough reason for the city to build its people a new arena? It would seem that the city owes that to its taxpayers to provide them with a nice comfortable place to watch an event. Every other major city in the nation has done it, except Seattle. It very well could be, that if Seattle does'nt care, why should the NBA? I don't know the answer, it will play out next month, and we will all see. 

Your final paragraph is the best one I'e seen you write yet. That point is exactly why the county and city execs, along with the state officials will all be losing their jobs in the next election. I'm not on the side of a total refurbishment, but a promise to do something, to keep the team around and to give a better place to watch sports, concerts or anything, would have been nice. The Key should be a central meeting ground for the entire city of Seattle. That equals jobs and revenue. Something this town doesn't understand.

Your first paragraph on the age of the Key is a bit simple minded. For the last 3 months I've watched you come up with petty excuses for why it should be okay to us that the Sonics move to OKC. Like you said, the Key is only 12 years old. Bells and whistles don't bring people to a game. The product brings people to the game. Nobody needs an overpriced steakhouse or another bar that sells 7 dollar beers. The truth is, the NBA is average and the Sonics are on the low end of that average product. Put winners in a facility and people come no matter what, win and people pony up cash with far more eagerness then they do now. Remember, Clay will be hitting your town up in about 9 years for some upgrades, and threatening your franchise. David Sterns own words are this: "The City of Seattle should be proud of this great arena." That was his words at the grand opening of the Key in 96' and after he okayed the lease that he and Clay are trying to illegally break. BTW.... the Key has nice suites, they could use and update, but they aren't too bad.

Can't stop blaming Bennett, his words in emails are his lies to us.