Bennett Trick or Treat? Seattle Times Reports Arena Relocation Request Delay

SEATTLE - Reported in the Seattle Times on September 8, 2007, Clay Bennett has chosen to delay his request to the NBA to relocate the Sonics and Stom from Seattle to Oklahoma City to start the 2008 - 2009 basketball season because the October 31, 2007, date is the same as the opening day of the season for the Sonics. He didn't want to take anything away from the team's first day.

I am sure there is a measure of truth to that statement, he does care about the team, that is in isolation to the location from which they play and the fans that attend the games. To this point it appears that Bennett has gone out of his way to put a wedge between the team and the local fans, press, and community. He cares about the team, he just doesn't appear to give a shit about you. Know it.

I doubt that he would have bothered to make this change had I-93, statements from the mayor of Seattle and city council, effectively taken an early buyout of the Key Arena lease off the table. Breaking the lease that runs through 2010 would be punishingly expensive. Let's not forget that Bennett did meet this past week with representitives of the Muckleshoot Tribe in Auburn Washington. In my opinion this will emerge as a viable option that can not be ignored by the NBA.

Let's recap: no early buyout of Key Arena; a viable option is emerging for an arena past 2010; but Bennett wants the team to have the stage to thselves on opening night, October 31st.

Umm, ok Bennett, that is almost exactly the one year anniversary of two things, the sale of the teams to you, and opening night last year. The NBA season has started on or about that time every year. You've been beating everybody over the head with that date for the past ten months, oh but NOW it might take away from opening night. Whatever dude, tell yourself whatever you need to to make yourself feel ok about backing off a THREAT. Maybe things have changed, and maybe not completely to your advantage, just don't expect fans of the team like me to buy any of your bullshit, true or not. That is an undisputed fact.