[Lefty Noob]

Seattle Supersonics owner Clay Bennett has announced that he will move the team to Oklahoma City, pending league approval.

"I understand the connection the team has to the community, the history. There are some very passionate, loyal fans and friends of the organization, people who have worked hard for us," Bennett told the Associated Press on Friday. "It was personally disappointing. At the same time I was very enthused about our team, and our players and our coaches. I certainly have mixed feelings." What do you think of this proposed relocation?

SuperSonics owner Bennett wants to move team to Oklahoma City - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

[LSC9901]

Lemme see here. Bennett paid $350 million for the team a year ago. Last year they "lost" $17 Million. The state legislature refused them $300 Million in public money for a new arena. I'm sure it isn't about money at all. I would also suspect if you can dig deep enough you'd find tax incentives if they move to Oklahoma City. Nope nothing to do with money at all.

[azrael492]

They are probably willing to build the new arena he wants.

How come everytime an owner wants to move his team he uses this excuse. He expects the city/fans to pay for a new arena so he can charge higher prices to use it.

[3fanforever]

Well, today's the day to see what happens next. They left it up to the people here in Oklahoma City to vote whether they want to extend a $.01 (1 cent) sales tax that expires at midnight on December 31. "Yes" to rebuild the Ford Center and to build a new NBA practice center, or "no", we don't want to pay for it. The "yes" forces are pretty strong. Past Governors and the present Governor have endorsed it, past and present mayors have endorsed it, and the marketing blitz by the "yes" forces has been relenting around here. The "no" group is out there, but it's more of a grass roots organization. Later tonight, we should know the results.

A big decision for city voters | NewsOK.com

[EmpireWF]

Would this be Oklahoma's first pro team?

[3fanforever]

Yep, it would be the first "permanent" major league pro team. The Hornets called Oklahoma City home for a couple of seasons while they were rebuilding the Superdome, but that was a temporary deal.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Lemme see here. Bennett paid $350 million for the team a year ago. Last year they "lost" $17 Million. The state legislature refused them $300 Million in public money for a new arena. I'm sure it isn't about money at all. I would also suspect if you can dig deep enough you'd find tax incentives if they move to Oklahoma City. Nope nothing to do with money at all.

Oklahoma City????...that is not gonna have a happy ending...who the heck is gonna support a team there?

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Oklahoma City????...that is not gonna have a happy ending...who the heck is gonna support a team there?

You'd be surprised. When the Hornets were here, they practically sold out every night, and if I'm not mistaken, they set some kind of attendance record. They showed this state will support a pro team. And the people around here are starved for a pro team of any kind to call their own. Right now, it's a choice between Dallas teams and Kansas City teams, but nothing from the home state. Which is why, I think, this state is so fanatical about the Sooners and the Cowboys.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

You'd be surprised. When the Hornets were here, they practically sold out every night, and if I'm not mistaken, they set some kind of attendance record. They showed this state will support a pro team. And the people around here are starved for a pro team of any kind to call their own. Right now, it's a choice between Dallas teams and Kansas City teams, but nothing from the home state. Which is why, I think, this state is so fanatical about the Sooners and the Cowboys.

maybe so...I just know that even Orlando has trouble supporting the Magic franchise. maybe they can becomethe Oklahoma City Tornados...

[3fanforever]

The vote is in...

Yes: 44,849 - 62%
.No: 27,564 - 38%

[bears9]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

The vote is in...

Yes: 44,849 - 62%
.No: 27,564 - 38%

So does that mean the Sonics are moving to OK City?

[Seahawker 562]

If they are moved, does seattle still have a team, do they get the hornets?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Seahawker 562

If they are moved, does seattle still have a team, do they get the hornets?

Probably not...and on a side note, Boeing lost a huge order to AirBus...things not going well in the Emerald City

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by bears9

So does that mean the Sonics are moving to OK City?

Not yet. The vote to improve the Ford Center and build a new practice center was just a step in that direction. It showed the NBA and the owner of Seattle that Oklahoma City was serious about getting a permanent team. The next step is the meeting next month of the NBA owners to approve or disapprove the relocation of the Sonics. And I think Clay Bennet is still in court trying to break his lease in Seattle.

[3fanforever]

Well, the NBA's Board of Commissioners met today and voted to allow the Sonics to relocate to Oklahoma City. Looks like it's still up in the air as to when that will happen though, since some folks up there in Seattle are gonna drag this through the court system. The vote was 28-2, with Mark Cuban and Paul Allen the two owners who voted against the move.

News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | NBA approves SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City