Sports One Step Forward, One Step Back
posted by on January 2 at 11:47 AM
The next few months are going to be agony for Sonics fans. First, from ESPN:
Oklahoma City residents will vote March 4 on whether to levy a one-cent sales tax to pay for improvements at Ford Center in hopes of luring an NBA team, the City Council decided Wednesday.The vote will take place about six weeks before NBA owners meet to vote on an application by the Seattle SuperSonics to relocate to Oklahoma City.
The tax would last for 15 months, starting on Jan. 1, 2009, the day after a current one-cent sales tax used to fund school improvements expires, and would generate an estimated $121.6 million. It would also pay for an NBA practice facility.
The Ford Center opened just 6 years ago, and cost around $89 million.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City might be getting all giddy—and tax-happy—about the prospect of landing the Sonics, but Sonics Central remains upbeat about Seattle’s chances of keeping the team:
On the arena front I have to continue the frustrating process of asking people to be patient and advising that there is action behind the scenes. They mayors office promised a completed proposal a couple of weeks ago and they have one. Unfortunately Clay Bennett continues to re-iterate that he will not consider a Key Arena option or even have the discussion and that is the only plan that is being worked on. There is corporate sponsorship available and viable local ownership groups. The big question is whether the league will let a guy move a team simply because he doesn’t want to negotiate. I have been told very clearly and specifically that there will be no rubber stamp process in moving a team from this established market if there is ANY viable arena plan on the table that has revenue streams which are equal or greater than those available in OKC. If that is true, then the city basically has the ability to block a move by putting a competitive package together.
Wow. The carousel continues. Years ago New Orleans had the Jazz. Then they moved to Utah (and for some bizarre reason kept the name). Then N.O. tried to unsuccessfully lure the Tumberwolves to town. Then N.O. successfully swiped the Hornets from Charlotte (and kept the name, karma or something I guess). Then Charlotte got another team (can't remember the name). Of course OKC wasn't even on the radar of the NBA until Hurricane Katrina forced the Hornets to play two seasons outside of N.O. Suprisingly OKC went head over heels for it (much like N.O. when they originally swiped the Hornets). Now the Hornets are back in N.O. and OKC has set its sites on the owner that is currently crying the loudest for more money. I'm sure this story has been played out multiple different ways, in many places with many teams, this is just the version I know.
Kick out the Sonics, rename it the Colisseum, and bring back the Bubbleator, dammit.
Pro sports franchises are the tape worms of our body politic. The sooner we quit feeding them, the better.
Send money to Citizens for More Important Things, and we will spend it educating folks and defeating this measure in Oklahoma...what looks good to them now from a distance is just another greasy hamburger, up close...
I'm not convinced we gain anything from them staying, so good bye.
You know, if the MSM would just stop reporting on the Sonics, we could all go back to waiting for our seasons tickets for soccer instead ... just sayin.
Kick em out and lock the doors behind them. Good riddance.
Just "OK", as in "Oklahoma" OK.
stern's not going to back up anyone but bennett. the other owners? if their head isn't up their asses, they won't. OKC ain't San Antonio. Its like giving a team to Spokane.
but seattle won't have shit worked out r.e. the key by the time they vote. i'd love to see them stay, but we're just not willing to pay the price when the price is retarded.
You got the "not willing to pay the price" part down.
Not. A. Cent.
Buh bye!
My question are, how does the I-91 initiative play into the funding of this arena? Will this be a slightly improved version of what the city offered Howie Starbuck and if so, why would they expect Okie Clay to accept it? and if this requires tax dollars, will the people of the city be able to vote on it.
Personally, I'll only support/vote for a a proposal that enlarges the Key to NHL capacity otherwise the Sonics can leave for all I care.
I wish Durant would step up and say he wants to stay here, and he'll leave immediately when his contract is up if they move to OK...BUT he probably doesnt give a fuck....The players COULD make a difference...but wont...Im gonna send death threats to Bennett if they leave...
If we send money to Citizens for More Important Things, would Chris Van Dyk use it to move to OKC permanently? Because I'm all for that.
Erica, I love your work and sincerely believe every word you are saying. Thus it is with some regret that I tag this post: [citation needed]
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