[Lefty Noob]

According to the Associated Press, the Washington state Legislature has decided not to vote on a measure that would finance a new arena for the Seattle SuperSonics. The Sonics have been in Seattle, but it looks like they may be on their way out now. As Sonics spokesman Jim Kneeland said, "this is a very serious blow to try to keep the team here." So if they do indeed relocate, where do they go?

[ThePundit]

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) --

Seattle SuperSonics majority owner Clay Bennett said a decision by the Washington state Legislature not to vote on a measure to finance a new arena has all but doomed efforts to keep the team in the state beyond next season.

Lawmakers won't vote on Sonics arena this session - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

What I don't understand is why the arena can't be privately financed?

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) --
Lawmakers won't vote on Sonics arena this session - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

What I don't understand is why the arena can't be privately financed?

Why would they buy something that they could get for free. I wonder who came up with this idea. Make the fans not only pay to see the team, but pay for the arena too.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) --
Lawmakers won't vote on Sonics arena this session - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

What I don't understand is why the arena can't be privately financed?

This argument comes up all the time where there are new arenas. Hardly any of them seem to be privately financed anymore. Seems like the teams realize that they bring in a lot of money into other businesses in the communities and are trying to hold legislatures hostage for better arenas. Kudos to these places who are starting to fight it, but I fear that as they realize just how many visitors they lose and how many fewer dollars come in during the season, it'll lead other cities to start caving.

[Basketball News]

Clayton Bennett told reporters in a conference call Tuesday that the Sonics & Storm ownership group is open to other possibilities for finding a new home for the teams - but will enforce an Oct. 31 deadline for that process.

Bennett Open to New Ideas Before Deadline