That's where the ownership group headed by Clay Bennett is based and that's where the Sonics will likely be playing next season.
I hurt for the fans of Seattle, who so faithfully supported their NBA team over the years.
And I despair as yet another municipality is held hostage by the arena/stadium extortion game played by the owners in many of the major sports.
No one argues that pro owners technically and legally can do with their teams as they wish.
But, in another sense, owning a team is more than merely an investment.
There's also a moral responsibility to be a good steward on behalf of the people who support the team by buying tickets, watching it on TV, purchasing its jerseys and financing those expensive arenas and stadiums that seem to become obsolete in a matter of a few years.
There's a lot of blame to go around regarding the impending departure of the Sonics:
Blame the politicians and voters for not being willing to finance a new arena.
Blame the ex-owner, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, for his arrogant and clumsy handling of those negotiations.
Blame the new owners, who never intended to keep the team in Seattle.
But my biggest disappointment is with NBA commissioner David Stern, who absurdly insists that Bennett dealt in good faith with the Seattle area when there is clear written evidence to the contrary.
So long Sonics. You will be missed.
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Sent via the WebMail system at mail.pacificradiogroup.com
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