Sonics likely leaving Seattle after 07-08; Magic close on an arena deal in Orlando

FOXSports.com: Bennett: "We're out of Seattle"

In this joyous time of basketball with the playoffs, it now appears it is time for the orbituarary of professional basketball in Seattle is to be written. According to Sonics Majority owner Clay Bennett, Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire will not call lawmakers into special legislative session so the Sonics can gain approval for the use of taxpayer money for a new $500 million arena to be constructed in the Seattle suburb of Renton, WA. Without lawmakers being called into a special legislative session, the arena proposal to save the Sonics is effectively dead. In fact, Bennett goes as far as to say he has no hope Gregoire would call lawmakers back.

However, through her spokeswoman, Governor Gregoire states that she has no recollection of any mention of a special session during her phone call with Sonics owner Clay Bennett.

Basically, instead of there being negotiations for porgress to get an arena deal done, right now we have a case of "he said, she said" between Gov. Gregoire and Sonics Majority Owner Clay Bennett. And the basic outsider unfortunately can see the writings on the wall clearly, given the Bud Adams and Art Modell situation a decade ago. And as a longtime Rockets fan, I really dont want to see the Sonics leave Seattle. Whether they be good or bad, there have been tons of Rockets and NBA related memories made at the old Seattle Center Coliseum (now the Key). From that epic "Game 6" that didnt go our way in '87 to that unforgettable slam dunk contest earlier in that same year, it now seems 40 years of baseketball history in the great Northwest as about to be flushed down the toilet......

I guess the next stop could very well be Oklahoma City. But we all know what Kansas City offered the Pens ...free rent at the Sprint Center, which is set to open this August. If this deal is offered to Clay Bennett and the Sonics, he might slight his hometown in favor of a bigger makret with a better deal.

Below, are rendings for the proposed King County Events Center in Renton, Wa...aka the Sonics new home that now appears to will never happen....





On a slightly better note, the Orlando Magic are reportedly close to sealing a new arena deal to keep the team in Orlando. More from Florida Today

Rendering of the new Magic arena

 

That was actually my first though.....hence the talk surrounding Rashard Lewis. Its even listed on the main page at Sonics.com entitled "Uncertain Summer." Im thingking 'Shard's gonna leave Seattle as well. And our new point guard for the future could possibly be found in Seattle as well.....this situation merits watching closely....

 

Actually Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is saying his city will not build an arena with taxpayer money. Thus the quick disappearance of all the Vegas talk. The T&M Center is outdated and without a new facility, Vegas will not get a team.

As for the Kings, recent talk has the Maloofs exploring construing the arena in Sacramento using private financing methods, a la the Giants method to get AT&T Park constructed back in 2000. However, with escalating construction costs, I think it is only a matter of time before that plan flops. And when it does, the Maloofs will either sell the Kings or move them to Kansas City, where a possible better deal in the new Sprint Center, a bigger market, and a wide open Plains region to cover awaits.

Trust me people, the spanking new Sprint Center has no main tennant and with the Pens getting a new arena, no NHL team will be available to swoop in on this incridible deal that awaits in KC. The NBA, however, has a few relocation possibilities open. Its only a matter of time before the "Show Me State" has a representative city in the NBA. The only question is, Kansas City Sonics or Kansas City Kings?

 

The latest floated proposal......



.......although there have been rumors swirling about the old West Side/Hudson site next to the Javits. This was the site for the ill-fated proposed Manhattan Jets Stadium/Olympic Stadium that collapsed in 2005 just before the Olympic vote. It would make sense for the arena to be located there as both LA and Houston have the same setup with Staples and the LA Convention Center, and with TC, the GRB and the Hilton.

 

That didnt work...here's a link to the page..... Ellerbe Becket/MSG Remodel

 

Actually It does work....Im just a dumbass....