Thursday's Getting Closer

As you have no doubt read in the PI, the governor and the state legislature have punted the arena issue back to the city of Seattle, asking the city to come up with the state's share of the $75 million on its own.

The city, naturally, is not interested in that scenario, meaning, of course, that this situation will require even more pressure on your representatives. Again, you can phone the state at 1.800.562.6000 to let them know you consider this to merit their involvement.

On a side note, much has been made of the fact that this week spells the end of this particular legislative session, and that if by Friday no bill has been passed regarding the arena, then that will be that. Which got me to thinking, what are the rules governing special sessions convened by the governor?

From what I have read, it appears that a special session may be called either by the governor, or by a 2/3 majority of the house. In this case, it would be Gov. Gregoire calling the session, because if the House could muster 2/3 majority to call a special sessions, they would just as likely use that majority to pass a bill.

However, I could find no information as to deadlines on when the governor can call the session. She could call it on Friday, she could call it on St. Patrick's Day, she could call it on Memorial Day, or she could call it during the upcoming trial between Seattle and Clay Bennett.

And one final side note, while sports fans only seem to care about the political process when it intrudes upon their turf (yes, awful pun, I know), there are those who are more in tune with this system. And, it seems, those people are about as thrilled with Frank Chopp as the rest of us.

Fed up with Chopp's stalling tactics? Join the club.

Deadline for Offer

There has been considerable words out of the legislature regarding the recent offer to purchase the team/renovate KeyArena. Now there are some words coming from the group of four interested in purchasing the team:

Now or never.

In a letter to Gov. Gregoire and published in the Seattle Times, the four men expressing interest in buying the team stated that their offer will expire on April 10, essentially rendering moot any argument from legislators that this scenario would be better considered during the next session.

So, have you made the call? If you're interested in keeping this team around, and you feel that this particular offer is a good one, then you better make it. Call the legislature and let them know that - as a voter - you feel they should act before it is too late.

1-800-562-6000

Overheard at the NBA Offices

"Mr. Stern, there’s a Mr. Bennett on line 2 for you."

DS: Okay, thank you, Andrea, I’ll take the call.

DS: Hello, Clay, how are things in Oklahoma City today?

CB: Well, that’s not why I’m calling, David. This situation in Seattle is startin’ to go sideways a little bit. You told me when I bought this team that we’d have smooth sailin’, and now it looks like that female governor is startin’ to change her mind.

DS: Clay, Clay, Clay. Don’t worry, it will all work out in the end.

CB: Now see here, Stern, I didn’t spend $350 million of wife’s father’s hard-earned money just to live half the year in that hippie-infested rainforest. You told me that those people were a bunch of whiny liberals that would never approve a new stadium. So long as I played like I was goin’ to try to get a new arena there, you’d back me up about movin’ to Oklahoma.

DS: Yes, well, things have changed a bit now. Perhaps an alternative arrangement will have to be made, but don’t worry, I have a myriad of possibilities lined up.

CB: I don’t want other possibilities, I want this team and I want it in Oklahoma. Now are you going to back me or aren’t you?

DS: Now, Clay, I advise you not to get so agitated. After all, with the Board of Governors meeting coming up in a few weeks, I believe it is in your best interests to keep a civil tone in these proceedings.

CB: Now what the hell does that mean, Stern? Are you tellin’ me you all are thinkin’ about denying me from movin’ this team to Oklahoma?

DS: Not exactly, Clay. Perhaps the best resolution to this scenario is a franchise swap, yes? Michael in Memphis is quite fed up with the franchise there, and he and I have spoken at length about the possibility of you taking over his team, and moving it to Oklahoma. It’s really not a concern.

CB: Excuse me? You tellin’ me I’m givin’ up that Durant fella, my boy Sam, PJ, and all those draft picks, and in return I get the gol’ darn Grizzlies? That doesn’t sound like much of a fair swap to me, Stern!

DS: Ah, Clay, well perhaps you would rather I deny the franchise relocation, force you to sell, and leave Oklahoma City with no team altogether? I’m sure we could arrange a D-League team to play at your new arena.

CB: Now wait just a cotton pickin’ minute. Why am I gettin’ the feeling I’ve been used? Now see here, Stern, did you just get me to buy this team so you could trick Seattle into building a new arena?

DS: Now, Clay, I would never trick anyone. If you buying the team forced Seattle into doing what I wanted them to do all along, while simultaneously giving me a new arena in another town which I can now use as leverage against the next city which defies the NBA, well, what’s wrong with that?

CB: You dirty little halfpint. I can’t believe I got suckered in. I knew I should have dealt with them hockey folks. At least you know where they’re comin’ from. Now what about my money? Am I goin’ to get my $350 million back? Well?

DS: I’m sorry, Clay, but I have to take another call.

Fans Get Heard

What will happen this week? It's anybody's guess.

In one moment, Gov. Gregoire and the other legislators seem to indicate that there is just no way anything can happen regarding the Sonics in this session, an indication that this team is just as good as gone.

But in the next, you get indications that the politicians are merely dabbing their toes in the water to get a feel for the temperature. With the hot-blooded vocals of thousands of Sonic fans calling them every day, they must know that this particular issue is one that resonates with voters.

Right?

Assuming - and that's a big assumption - that the legislature can get something put together in this session, we still have two rather large fish to cook up in our skillet:

1) Getting Clay Bennett to sell the team
2) Getting the NBA to deny his relocation request.

But that's putting the cart before the horse. There still remains the pressing issue of convincing the legislature to act before it is too late. I'll say again, if you are at all concerned about losing the Sonics, and if you believe that sports ownership should partner in shouldering the burden for building new arenas, then get on board this plan. Here's the number in Olympia:

1.800.562.6000.

Rally At the Capital

If you love the Sonics, shoot, even if you just tolerate the Sonics, then get yourself down to Olympia tomorrow for a rally at the Washington State Legislative Building.

The rally is to be from 10 to 11 am on Saturday. Visit SonicsCentral.com for specific information on parking, meet-up locations, etc.

With the word from Gov. Gregoire today that she is considering extending the legislature's session beyond the expected Friday drop dead date, there is hope for those who want to see the Sonics stay in Seattle.

Yes, Clay Bennett is "refusing" to sell, but he said he would never sell the Storm, either, so take his current tactics for what they are worth.

As always, the government will stick with their position until it looks as though enough voters are against it. By rallying in Olympia, you can tell them what you think of the Sonics.

Kemp, Payton and Karl back together again?

The magical trifecta of Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and George Karl reunite for one night only, tonight on the The Best Damn Sports Show.

(Thanks to John Entz for the tip!)

Abridged Version

If you ever studied economics or science or anything besides English in college (and I'm saying this as an English minor), you'll recall that feeling when the information you are trying to absorb becomes overwhelming, and your brain begins to reject sentences, paragraphs, or entire books.

So, let this be your Cliffs Notes version of the recent activity surrounding the Sonics, a new ownership group, and the redevelopment of KeyArena.



SUMMER 2007
-Slade Gorton, former Senator, begins looking for groups to buy the Sonics in an effort to thwart the efforts of Clay Bennett to relocate the team to Oklahoma. Gorton is able to interest Steve Ballmer (no introduction needed) and John Stanton (founder of Western Wireless).

FALL 2007
-Ballmer contacts local developer Matt Griffin to get involved in the project as Ballmer doesn't have the time to go through all the details. Griffin in turn contacts Jim Sinegal (founder of Costco) to join the group.
-Gorton takes over the reigns of the city's lawsuit against Bennett & Co.

WINTER 2007-08
-After initially proposing $75 million of their own money towards the redevelopment project (in addition to whatever cash is necessary to buy the team), the group boosts it to $150 million.
-The city of Seattle contacts the legislature that a legitimate group is interested in buying the team and redeveloping KeyArena.
-The city declines an offer of $26 million from Clay Bennett to buy out the remaining two years of his lease at KeyArena.
-Oklahoma City passes an initiative to raise $120 million towards the redevelopment of the Ford Center, the last road block standing in the way of the Sonics moving to their city.

SPRING 2008
-At a press conference in Seattle, the Mayor, the group of four owners, Gorton, and the council announce their plan to spend $150 million of the owners' money, $75 million from Seattle via admission taxes or leases, and $75 million from the state an extension of state taxes on bars, restaurants and rental cars in King County for a combined total of $300 million towards the redevelopment of KeyArena.
-The Washington State Legislature closes on March 14, 2008. Speaker Frank Chopp, through his mouthpiece, states that it is unlikely this particular piece of legislation will be completed in time for the legislature's closing. It is suspected, however, that Chopp is posturing, and that a special session, called by the governor, may be likely to occur.
-The NBA's relocation committee meets April 17-18 in New York to discuss the possibility of moving the Sonics to Oklahoma. They will, no doubt, take into consideration the state of affairs in Washington, as well as the pending lawsuit involving the team.

JUNE 2008
-The City of Seattle and the NBA will tangle in court over the remaining two years of the lease at KeyArena, and whether the Sonics are obligated to honor those years, or if a simple buy-out is all that is required. It is expected that - should the case reach trial - David Stern, Clay Bennett, and other NBA officials will be subpoenaed.

OF NOTE
-In reading the proposed legislation submitted to Olympia, it is difficult to ascertain who will be paying for the (inevitable) cost overruns.
-There is, of course, no guarantee that the owner of the team 10 years from now won't need a revision to the lease, or other, more expensive, improvements. (Lest we forget, Barry Acklerly was the owner when KeyArena was first completed, and no one envisionaged in 1996 that a new ownership group would be begging for a new stadium within a decade of the old one's completion).

(The majority of this information was culled from crosscut.com, the News Tribune, and the Times).

Frank Chopps Down Local Excitement

Well, try not to get too depressed when you read this article from the PI's Greg Johns and Chris McCann.

According to House Speaker Frank Chopp, the chance of the legislature approving any funds for a KeyArena remodel is a no-go. He let Rep. Jeff Morris give the bad news:

"There is absolutely no chance of us considering it this legislative session," Morris said.

Morris went on to comment that this current proposal, which would combine $150 million in private contributions with $75 million from Seattle and $75 from the state, is a good one, but that it is impossible for the state to make it happen in the remaining week before the end of the legislature session.

A special session, which would be called for by Gov. Gregoire, is a possibility, of course, but comments such as those from Morris certainly put a damper on things.

News Conference, 3:30 PDT

The Mayor's Office has scheduled a press conference for 3:30 Seattle time to discuss the ongoing Sonics/KeyArena situation. Here is the press release:

"Mayor Greg Nickels will hold a press conference this afternoon to discuss a new proposal to improve KeyArena and Seattle Center. The mayor will be joined by a representative of a new, local professional basketball ownership group."

The way the news has gone the last couple of days, I'm almost expecting Bill Gates to show up. Or maybe Jimi Hendrix.

Sonics Lose

Lost amid the high-pitched talk of Steve Ballmer being a partner in the group looking to buy the Sonics, the team actually played a game last night.

And, yes, they lost. Plenty of guys turned in strong offensive performances, including:

-Johan Petro, 11 points and 15 boards
-Earl Watson, 17 points, 8 assists
-Kevin Durant, 23 points on 9 of 18 shooting
-Damien Wilkins, 17 points

Unfortunately, you'll note that I was only pointing out offensive performances, as Petro allowed Andrew Bogut to grab 23 points to go with double-digit rebounds, and Charlie Villaneuva - apparently left unguarded in the Sonics' innovative new "Box and None" defense - finished with 32 points on 26 shots, making some observers wonder if he wasn't channeling Sidney Moncrief or Junior Bridgemann last night.

Finally, while it appears the Sonics may be headed out of town in a couple of seasons, Luke Ridnour and Mickael Gelabale have decided there's no sense waiting until the moving vans show up. While their bodies reside in Sonic uniforms, their games have long since left town.

supersonicsoultoon: Kissing Booth

What's more wholesome and old-timey than a county fair kissing booth?

I really, really wanted to add Stern as the carny, but ran out of time.

----

Sonics Lose, Seattle Wins?

Am I the only who is beginning to feel like a child in a custody case?

On the one hand, dad just got the okay from the bank to build a new house for himself in another town. On the other, mom is sweet-talking some new guys down at the country club and there's a chance she might get them to build her a house with an in-ground pool, game room, and all the other stuff.

If you can't decipher that convulted metaphor, here it is in plain English: Oklahoma City passed its sales tax initiative, clearing the way for the Ford Center to be remodeled and made NBA-ready.

At the same time, the Sonics appear to have solidified their local ownership possibility, with a $300 million KeyArena renovation package on the table, the money being split between private and public concerns. According to Matt Griffin, the lead spokesman it seems for this private group, the private money is not a problem.

The public money? Well, the plan calls for $75 million in state funding and $75 million from the city of Seattle.

As someone who routinely decries the continual bailing out of private interests by public funds in these situations, I have to say I like this package. The $150 million in private contributions from the prospective owners gives the city/state something usually lacking in these situations: a financial tie-in.

Note that Bennett's plan for Seattle called for zero money from his pocket in the $500 million palace he asked for, while this plan calls for a 50/50 split. By ponying up $150 of their own money, the new owners would be unlikely to want to uproot the team 10 years from now, not to mention the fact that they are all, well, local.

Again, the pressure is on the state legislature and the local council to come through. I urge everyone again to phone the legislative hotline and/or your local officials to come through for the Sonics. Here is the number for Olympia:

1.800.562.6000