So this is a "basketball" you say? Fascinating. And I used to own a "team"?Now? I'm barely motivated to write two words.
Look, Howards Schultz doesn't owe anybody anything. He made a business deal to get himself out of a financially precarious position, and as the front man for a conglomerate of other businesspeople, he most likely has been feeling as much heat from them to sell as he has from all of us to not.
Still, it seems a bit hypocritical to me that Schultz would on the one hand trump up the emotional relationship between the city and the team when it's convenient for his argument (i.e., Seattle must build me a new stadium because of all those future Sonic fans that love their basketball), and then turn around and completely abandon that same relationship when it's convenient for his pocketbook.
Mr. Schultz, I have never met you, and I most likely never will. Hence, I am in no position to judge your character. Further, if I have learned anything in life it's that passing judgement the motivations of others is a foolhardy and worthless endeavor.
Regardless, Howard, I think I speak for the majority of the people who read this site when I say that I am disappointed in you. You have passed yourself off as a man of the city, the man who saved the Sonics from leaving and preserved the legacy of Blackburn, McDaniel, Shawn, DJ, and Lenny, and a man who was engaged in a Quixotian struggle with the city and state to keep the Sonics in their home of 40 years.
And yet, you sold that same team to a man who even a 10-year-old can tell is obviously intent on moving it to Oklahoma, guaranteeing that the Sonics will become the Cleveland Browns or Montreal Expos of the NBA.
It’s funny. Howard Schultz, easily the worst owner in Sonics history in regard to wins and losses, will also go down as the most remembered owner in Sonics history. I wonder, Howard, was that part of your five-year plan?
11 comments:
Schultz + Bennett + $$$ = 3 years of Lies starting yesterday.
Prediction: This is going to be a ridiculous 3 years of lies and more lies about the sonics staying in seattle in a lame attempt to keep us going to the games. keep stringing us along, until the final axe chops. i could write the press release now for 2009 (i'm sure its already written) - if they even stay that long.
"Despite our best efforts to keep this great franchise in it's beloved Seattle forces have pushed us out of the Northwest. Seattle was a great basketball city for many years Blah blah blah."
Maybe because people eat up obvious political lies they will eat this one up too? do these aristocrats think we're a nation of dupes or what? seattle traditionally isnt, and perhaps mr bennett doesnt realize that yet. we're not buying that your going to do everything you can to keep the team in seattle HAHAHA!! duh.
Can we please chill out guys? Before we start crying ourselves to sleep, remember that the new owners PROMISED that they would look into all possible options in the next year before moving this team. Schultz was on KJR this morning and even discussed the possibility of the Sonics moving to Bellevue under the current ownership group. Don't give up guys, and keep going to the games.
I wish I had your optimism. Unfortunately, the OKC group is saying exactly what Michael Heisley said in Vancouver before he moved the team to Memphis.
As I see it, Clay Bennett is stuck with the team in Seattle for at least one year. Now, if he bought the team and said immediately, "We're leaving for Oklahoma come next June," his losses for the 2006-07 season would be tremendous. No ad sales, no ticket revenue, no tv revenue, nothing.
But, if he says, "We're going to give a go for the next 12 months," people will go to the games, and enable him to have at least some revenue. And, if the city council/state government fails to come up with a new stadium, he can pull a Pontius Pilate, wipe his hands, and say, "Hey, there's nothing I can do, we're going to Oklahoma."
Honestly, if you think this group is interested in anything other than an Oklahoma City Sonics team, you're deluding yourself. I hope you're right, but I sincerely doubt it.
I just wish we could form some sort of trust whereby season-ticket holders could deposit their money, demonstrating to the NBA that the money is there, and that the lack of interest in the Clay Bennett All-Stars is in no way reflective of the city's interest in the Sonics.
It sucks. It hurts. But the reality is, they are leaving. End of story. Scream all you want, sign all the petitions in the world, build millions of websites proclaiming your desire to die to keep the Sonics here. None of it will matter. Unless you can round up $350million + and buy the team, you are wasting your energy. Life goes on, and the millionaire sports playters & their billionaire owners don't give a crap about you, your petitions, your websites. Why not divert this new found energy of yours to some good in the community? Start petitioning for things that can be acheived by your efforts - say more low income housing, better transit, a playground for your kids etc, instead of throwing time, money and effort at a lost cause? In other words, be adults, move on, and get a freaking life. I love the Sonics, but they don't love back. That's a bad, abusive relationship no one needs.
FUCK HOWARD SCHULTZ AND FUCK OKLAHOMA CITY!!!!
hey bennett almost didnt lie.
"Owning an NBA franchise and a world-class facility in this market is a good place to be," Bennett said. "That said, as you know, I certainly hope that in time, Oklahoma City gets a team, and I think we will."
Well as an Oklahoma Citian some of these remarks are truly hilarious. That said ... The Sonics belong to OKC now. We've got yer soul...
Fuck you too
Id rather live in Seattle broke and broken with no basketball then live within 500 miles of Oklahoma city with a billion dollars. Basketball cant do anything for a city famous for Timothy McVeigh, meth labs, and sky-high STD rates. Many former seattle players are likely contemplating suicide at this very moment............
Forget the sonics and years of lackluster performance, middle america is slowly dieing and there is not a preventative measure known to man that can stop this downfall.
Fitch store in general Abercrombie And Fitch , everything a good matrimony before marriage have nothing to retain the preceding "female mad batch - Abercrombie" part of the two is the first home in new york city a horde promotion sportswear for men and it is a successful lawyer, that is, fitch.Ezra fitch in a charge over a very intricate to read from the abercrombie is obstinate to read and long abercrombie & fitch. He's also very good brand Abercrombie and Fitch Hoodies, including Abercrombie And Fitch Clothing and Abercrombie and Fitch Jeans, Abercrombie and Fitch Pants, Abercrombie and Fitch Tees. Has become a fashionable personage's first choice, Abercrombie and Fitch Sweaters is all over the world, of course, is also expected to Abercrombie and Fitch Shorts.
New Year was coming, everyone wants new clothes to disguise themselves,Abercrombie Clothing is a good choice. BecauseAbercrombie Sale is a well-known brand, Abercrombie and Fitch Outerwearseverywhere, abercrombie is very much a Cheap Abercrombie. There has Abercrombie and Fitch Polos, Abercrombie Womens and Abercrombie and Fitch Shirts. Personally, I'm looking forward to Abercrombie Hollister's 2009 New Arrivals, such as Abercrombie Ruehl No.925 like this style.
Post a Comment