NBA Say Yes to Oklahoma City

[Laramie]

Daily Oklahoman:

http://www.newsok.com/article/3231948/

NBA says yes to OKCFrom staff reports

From staff reports
NEW YORK — Welcome to the big leagues, Oklahoma City.

With a 28-2 vote of owners on Friday, the NBA added Oklahoma City to the roster of major league cities, officially approving the relocation of the SuperSonics.

Dallas owner Mark Cuban and Portland owner Paul Allen voted against the move.

"The support demonstrated for the NBA by the fans, the government leaders and the business community of Oklahoma City over the last three years has been extraordinary," said NBA commissioner David Stern at a Friday press conference.

"The board of governors is confident that that level of support will result in the success of the Sonics franchise in Oklahoma."

The Sonics will pay a $30 million relocation fee.

Legal wrangling over the Sonics' lease will still determine when the team gets to town, but the vote puts the seal of approval on Oklahoma City's ascendance from temporary relocation home of the Hornets to landing spot for the Sonics.

The team could be in Oklahoma City as soon as this fall or as late as after the end of the 2009-10 season.

"We'll play there, subject to the order of the court. It will be what it will be," Stern said.

On July 18, 2006, a group of Oklahoma City businessmen led by Clay Bennett purchases the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA's Seattle Storm for $350 million.

Since then, Bennett's group has tried to find itself a new arena home in Seattle, sold off the WNBA team and been summoned to court in a case against the city over enforcement of the lease. The trial will begin on June 16.

" I think no one among the 30 owners questioned the good faith of Clay Bennett," Stern said Friday.

In the lead-up to the NBA's move, Oklahoma City voters approved $121 million in improvements to the Ford Center and on Thursday, the Oklahoma Legislature approved tax rebates for an NBA team for the next 15 years.

Members of the NBA relocation committee and Stern visited Oklahoma City on March 25, coming away impressed by the city's presentation.

"It was a pretty full presentation and pretty much a tour de force on behalf of Oklahoma that I'd say impressed the members of the committee greatly," Stern said then.

New Jersey Nets co-owner Lewis Katz, one of three team owners and a team executive who visited as members of the subcommittee, said there is no question Oklahoma City would join the NBA.

"There's no question in my mind that they're coming. It's just a question of when," Katz said.

Turned out, he was right.

[sgrizzle]

I wonder why the geek rich were against it, other than Mark Cuban doesn't want another team near him.

[cannon_fodder]

Cuban said he doesn't think the OKC market is large enough and the team would just move in a few years.  All owners profit from successful teams in the revenue sharing scheme.  And, I suppose, an NBA team in OKC will stop a few OKC people from going down to Dallas for games and/or draw away some corporate money - but I wouldn't think it would be that much.

Allen did not release a statement on why he voted the way he did.  I imagine it is because he lives in Seattle.  Also, owning the Portland team I imagine he will miss out on a rivalry game with his hometown.

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Cuban said he doesn't think the OKC market is large enough and the team would just move in a few years.  All owners profit from successful teams in the revenue sharing scheme.  And, I suppose, an NBA team in OKC will stop a few OKC people from going down to Dallas for games and/or draw away some corporate money - but I wouldn't think it would be that much.

Allen did not release a statement on why he voted the way he did.  I imagine it is because he lives in Seattle.  Also, owning the Portland team I imagine he will miss out on a rivalry game with his hometown.

I would not be shocked if Portland isn't the ultimate loser over the long term of these moves. I could easily see Allen moving the Trailblazers to his hometown. It's a larger market, wealthier and it's his home. If Seattle can come up with a real arena plan, I bet Allen moves Portland's team.

[cannon_fodder]

Good thought Swake.  Then Allen can say "hey, I voted against it Portland.  I wasn't trying to set you up."  

No idea what the Trailblazers numbers are, but they can't be as good as the potential in Seattle.  Or maybe Allen can aquire an expansion team in Seattle?

Of course, this is assuming the 3 suits against Bennet are resolved.  2 of which could stop the move - the 2 year lease and the "bad faith" suit.