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... And while he retains possession of the Sonics name, logo and colors, he agreed not to use them. Why should anyone believe any promises Bennett makes? He's proven himself a liar. This is the same bill of goods he tried to sell when he bought the team.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 07/06/08, 10:28 AM

Can't trust a man who can't look you in the eye as this photo of Bennett shows !!!

Kaycee6 | 07/06/08, 11:04 AM

I HATE that crap!!!!!! OKC gets to claim thier team has a championship? so what happens when the Sonics become a team, do they get sole possesion of that championship? I'm just mad cuz the lakers lay claim to our old skool banners. They belong in Minneapolis where the lakes are.

Lazymike97 | 07/06/08, 11:21 AM

Unfortunately the NBA deserves lousy owners like Clay Bennett.

Mano de Nada | 07/06/08, 12:01 PM

he's evil he cant just leave all those fans!

ahung | 07/06/08, 12:25 PM

This is getting ridiculous. Stern should have stepped in and spoken to Bennett about the negative impact this would create for the league. A comprimise would have been best. Bennett could have sold the franchise back to the previous owner (who wanted to keep it in Seattle) and Stern could have awarded an expansion team to OKC and another city in the near future.

This is going to be a disaster. Many OKC citizens who would love to go to NBA games are going to feel guilt when they see news coverage of Seattle sitting at home on ESPN. Ticket sales are going to be horrendous. No one wants to steal a team.

This just proves how Stern has the best of intentions with the worst plans to execute those intentions.

Noam129 | 07/06/08, 12:29 PM

wow.. what a mess..

drj0514 | 07/06/08, 12:32 PM

Bennett is nothing but business scum. He purchased the team with a good faith agreement that he attempt to keep the team in town. Good Faith my arse.

As for all the items. I think they should go with the franchise, except for the NAME and colors.

chapmaja@yahoo.com | 07/06/08, 12:51 PM

As usual, It's all about the money. The consideration for the fans is of no concern whatsoever. Bennett is a liar and a thief, being aided and abetted by David Stern. What you can believe however, is that Stern told the truth when he said that there will never be another NBA franchise in Seattle.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 07/06/08, 01:24 PM

"OKC, Seattle to share Sonics past"

**************

You do mean to say that "OKC to STEAL Sonics past", correct???

Odenator...I'll be baack! | 07/06/08, 01:27 PM

It's okay, when this mess settles; Durrant could take his game to another team; like what Boozer did.

Coco | 07/06/08, 01:31 PM

way to water down the nba franchises, there's no integrity and loyalty anymore to the fans, with these **** pro team owners. case in point, the los angeles rams of football moving to st.louis and now i'am hearing they're thinking of moving back to LA.....the leagues should not allow this, this is not a game of musical chairs, there suppose to be pro leagues, and i feel they should honor that. when i still lived in texas i recall the houston oilers moving to tennessee and their selfish owner just up and leaving all their loyal fans. i have many things to say to clay bennett but it would all be bleeped out here.....

UTexasLonghornsBacker30 | 07/06/08, 02:53 PM

if theres one thing i hate is an antsy/restless/selfish pro team owner....

UTexasLonghornsBacker30 | 07/06/08, 02:55 PM

if i was an nba franchise owner my team would forever stay in my original city regardless of what comes along......

UTexasLonghornsBacker30 | 07/06/08, 02:57 PM

Since he is leaving the city-
the memoribilia should be left in Seattle in a museum.

jgb | 07/06/08, 04:25 PM

He didn't own the team at the time they won the championship--therefore the "history" is not his. He should leave with what he came with.

Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 07/06/08, 04:56 PM

ANd this is why I dont watch a lot of basketball anymore

cowboysfan123 | 07/06/08, 05:01 PM

OKC did a good job stepping up when the Hornets needed a home.The previous Sonics owner was asking for a new arena for years.Almost every example of a sports team owner that gets told "no" when he says "I want a stadium" moves the team. I could be moving from Irving to Arlington, Los Angeles to Anaheim, or Winnipeg to Phoenix. Point is, the owner is gonna get it. I can believe that as big as western Washington state is, no city stepped up. It's not like Olympia was saying "COME HERE!!". The dude says he was losing money......same reason the old owner sold. That makes me tend to believe him. Now granted, I'm sure he saw an oppurtunity to get a team for his hometown. But you should have seen the writing on the wall.

In a few years, you'll get a team back but it's gonna cost you a heck of alot more. (see example 1a, Houston/NFL)


If OKC didnt do it, KC, Las Vegas, St Louis,or Louisville would have. And they would have been glad to do it. There's only so many of these things to go around. The people of OKC wont feel one iota of sorry when the first tip off happens. Granted, the history should stay in Seattle.

I know it sucks building stadiums for billionaire owners and millionaire players with tax money,but this is how it is now.

Cowboys5217 | 07/06/08, 06:56 PM

I meant to say I CAN'T believe as big as Washington is.....sorry

Cowboys5217 | 07/06/08, 06:58 PM

i no ur rite

ahung | 07/06/08, 07:20 PM