Two weeks after calling for a resumption of talks about a new arena,
SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett accused Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels of focusing on "unworkable concepts." In a statement issued Thursday, Bennett said KeyArena -- the Sonics' current home and the smallest venue in the NBA -- is not an option for the team.
He said the Sonics' ownership group had hoped the mayor would rally support to find a solution.
"Instead he focused on unworkable concepts that are not acceptable," Bennett said in his statement, adding that he hopes other civic leaders step up.
Bennett, an Oklahoma City businessman, issued a "call to action" last month asking for offers to help save the team.
Nickels said Wednesday that if the Sonics were willing to put $100 million into a new arena or the KeyArena, then the city might be able to match it.
Bennett has set an Oct. 31 deadline for an agreement on a new arena. Otherwise, he has promised to begin relocating the team, most likely to Oklahoma City or Kansas City, which is looking for an anchor tenant for its new arena.
ESPN - Key Arena not Sonics' future home, owner says - NBA
08-03-2007, 01:32 AM
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