<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK (AP) -- David Stern gave another warning that the SuperSonics could eventually leave Seattle, saying Thursday that the city is, "not interested in having the NBA there." The NBA commissioner also touched on the situations regarding the Trail Blazers and Hornets during a conference call, but his strongest words were saved for the Sonics' future in Seattle. Stern has said the Sonics' lease with the city is the worst in the NBA, and he went to Seattle in February to ask Washington state lawmakers for tax money to renovate Key Arena. Sonics owner Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks Corp., has threatened to move or sell the team if state lawmakers don't approve a sales-tax package to pay for a new or renovated arena. But state lawmakers last month said there would be no deal this year. "I would say that the city is making it pretty clear of what they want us to do, and we'll accommodate them," Stern said. Asked what that meant, Stern responded: "What I mean is they're not interested in having the NBA there. We understand that, we understand that there are competing issues, and the mayor is free to make whatever decisions he needs to make and I support that. "But that's a pretty strong signal and I think that the existing ownership has said they don't want to own a team that's not in Seattle, so I know what they're in the process of doing. So we'll just see how this play ends." Marianne Bichsel, spokeswoman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said the city wants the Sonics to remain in Seattle. "The mayor has made it perfectly clear in several interviews given, the Sonics have been in Seattle for 40-plus years, and we would like them around another 40-plus years and we'd like them at Key Arena," she said. "We're in discussions with the Sonics a lot about the situation, but we have a lease through 2010 and we fully expect that the lease will be honored." But once the lease expires in 2010, it doesn't sound as if the league would stand in the way if ownership wants to move the franchise. "It's not a very good lease, to say the least it's the worst in the league," Stern said. "The city says they're not prepared to do anything to improve it. I don't think this is a difficult choice." </div> Source
Nah, I'm a little more clever than that - not a lot, just a little But you know how Stern likes to talk tough, always posturing.
People would have to pay more tax money in Washington, correct? (That's what Stern said that would be able to keep Key Arena open?)
Those are some bold statements, regardless of whether or not he's postering or not. I hope that the all this speculation ends quickly--and I hope that someone with some deep pockets can end the misery that is the Schultz/Walker era of fiscal management. What is amazing is that Schultz is synonomous with frugal spending when he is one of the richest men in the world. Starbucks doesn't seem to be a business on the ropes. I think that Howard is one of the bigger con men in this entire Key Arena saga--and I think that the bottom line is that he did not do his homework when buying the Supes and he is doing whatever he can to save face.
Honestly, I don't believe the general population of Seattle will care enough to save the Sonics unless they start winning. This is one of, if not the most, fickle sports cities in America. The Seattle Mariners got a new stadium when they started winning, as did the Seahawks. Now that the Mariners aren't good anymore, the fans have stopped coming in droves (although a Mariners game is still the primary weekend family attraction in the city, so there are some fans besides the hardcore ones) and the city didn't care much about the Seahawks until they were good. It's just the way it is in Seattle. I hate it, but there's nothing I can do.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SP23:</div><div class="quote_post">People would have to pay more tax money in Washington, correct? (That's what Stern said that would be able to keep Key Arena open?)</div> The proposed tax was on hotel rooms and rental cars...a so called "tourist tax." Visitors would pay more money, not necessarily the residents.
The issue really boils down to local politics. A couple of very loud City Council members led by Nick Licata don't like the idea of "bailing out" the Sonics. The mayor, governor and state legislature were ready to cut a bill this year but the City Council refused to make a recommondation either way until they completed their studies. They were annoyed that the Sonics organization bypassed them last year and went right to the state and this year they decided to exercise some political muscle by stalling when the State said, "hey we'll give you the money but the city has to decide what to do with it." Likely, if they take the posturing and power plays out of it they will likely work things out, but I am not sure either side is willing to play nice at this point.
Random casual sports fan friend: "The Sonics are pretty good this year, right?" Me: "..." This city sucks for the most part when it comes to sports. I bet when one of our teams finally wins a championship there will be alot of people claiming that they "waited so long for it". But really, the half-ass attitude shown by some Seattle sports fans bugs me.
^ Yeah alot of people here are only fans when the teams start winning, but when they lose they are either talking trash or are nowhere to be found. But I hope we can keep this team in Seattle.
On the Seattle PI site: How would you feel if the Sonics left Seattle? 46.1% Very upset 21.0% Somewhat upset 26.6% Wouldn't care 6.3% Happy Total Votes: 414
I'd be super upset...I don't know a lot of Sonics fan at my high school though, most are Lakers or otherwise fans...>.< so much for being in Seattle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post"> What is amazing is that Schultz is synonomous with frugal spending when he is one of the richest men in the world.</div> Is it amazing? My guess is it's why he's so rich. The richest man in the world, the founder of IKEA furniture, still flies economy, stays in cheap motels and refuses to move his car before the parking ticket has expired.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Matt (Seattle, WA): Why did you say that "Seattle doesn't seem to want the NBA"? I found that remark to be almost antagonistic, as if you are trying to lay the groundwork for a potential relocation by blaming the city...I just find it odd that a sport that has increased revenues fifteen-fold since your induction as commish needs municipalities to subsidize its presence (which is what the Sonics seem to want). Can you please explain your reasoning behind your statement? Thank you. David Stern: I was not referring to the fans of Seattle, but rather to the mayor who was busy invisioning a successful Seattle center without the Sonics as a tenant. I thought that was antagonistic to both the Sonics AND the NBA. I did not mean to suggest that the fans of the Sonics and the citizens of Seattle have not been supportive of our team.</div> - ESPN Insider chat.
Stern didn't really answer the question the way I read that. The fan asked why the team needs subsidizing and Stern answered with 'I'm not blaming the fans'
Seattle loves the Sonics through the ups and downs. Although I do know more Seahawks and Mariners fans. But we do love the Supes.
Another good article from Thiel on the lease situation http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/thiel/267564_thiel21.html
All I have to say is that I have been going to sonic games, I am huge fan of the supes especially Ray Allen and it would be terrible to watch them go.
