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
Wednesday, March 5
Tuesday, March 4
OK Polls Close, Sonics Leading
You know, if you had to wager on how the vote will go in Oklahoma City today on their Ford Center improvement plan, you'd have to bet on the house to win. By the house, of course, I mean Clay Bennett Inc. And since that vote gives Bennett the hammer he may need to uproot our team, I guess I'm a little less than thrilled about our prospects. On the other hand ...
at the end of one quarter, the Seattle Salary Dumps are leading the Detroit Pistons 41-28, and Earl Watson has scored 12 points.
In Detroit.
Keep hope alive!
UPDATE:
Can I get a rain-check on that optimism? Looks like the election results for the Ford Center Tax come down with 61.8% yes, 38.1% no. Somewhere, Clay Bennett is taking a bath in $100 bills right now.
Oh, and the Sonics lost a 3-game to the Pistons. Seattle followed up a 41-point first quarter with a 13-point dud in the second (yeah, I saw it coming, too, smart guy). The starters did their job by scoring 86 points, but 11 points from the bench didn't quite cut it. 4 of 17 shooting by the reserves didn't help.
at the end of one quarter, the Seattle Salary Dumps are leading the Detroit Pistons 41-28, and Earl Watson has scored 12 points.
In Detroit.
Keep hope alive!
UPDATE:
Can I get a rain-check on that optimism? Looks like the election results for the Ford Center Tax come down with 61.8% yes, 38.1% no. Somewhere, Clay Bennett is taking a bath in $100 bills right now.
Oh, and the Sonics lost a 3-game to the Pistons. Seattle followed up a 41-point first quarter with a 13-point dud in the second (yeah, I saw it coming, too, smart guy). The starters did their job by scoring 86 points, but 11 points from the bench didn't quite cut it. 4 of 17 shooting by the reserves didn't help.
Investors Lining Up?
With the Oklahoma City vote set for today (and that's all I will say about that, thank you very much), it was revealed in the Seattle Times that two local businessmen have come forward with a proposal to a) buy the Sonics and b) refurbish KeyArena in a 50-50 split with local government.
The CEO of Costco, Jim Sinegal, and developer Matt Griffin are the twin faces of the group, but there are apparently more people with even deeper pockets involved.
Griffin, along with Tim Ceis, the Deputy Mayor of Seattle and noted Sonic proponent, met with Gov. Gregoire yesterday to review the plan. At this point, according to the story, it does not appear likely that anything will happen prior to the legislature's adjournment next week.
So, while residents of another city vote on spending their money to fix up an arena, it appears as though Northwesterners will have an opportunity to do so as well.
Sadly, I am not a voter in Washington, so I doubt the legislature cares too much about my opinion. That said, if you are a voter, politicians do care about your opinion. With that in mind, and drawing on the request of Brian at SonicsCentral, I urge our readers to phone the legislature today and tell them you want them to get on board with this plan. Here is the phone number:
1.800.562.6000
Honestly, time may be running out for the Sonics in Seattle, and this plan is as good as it is going to get for fans here.
The CEO of Costco, Jim Sinegal, and developer Matt Griffin are the twin faces of the group, but there are apparently more people with even deeper pockets involved.
Griffin, along with Tim Ceis, the Deputy Mayor of Seattle and noted Sonic proponent, met with Gov. Gregoire yesterday to review the plan. At this point, according to the story, it does not appear likely that anything will happen prior to the legislature's adjournment next week.
So, while residents of another city vote on spending their money to fix up an arena, it appears as though Northwesterners will have an opportunity to do so as well.
Sadly, I am not a voter in Washington, so I doubt the legislature cares too much about my opinion. That said, if you are a voter, politicians do care about your opinion. With that in mind, and drawing on the request of Brian at SonicsCentral, I urge our readers to phone the legislature today and tell them you want them to get on board with this plan. Here is the phone number:
1.800.562.6000
Honestly, time may be running out for the Sonics in Seattle, and this plan is as good as it is going to get for fans here.
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