Should the Sonics Move to Oklahoma?

[Scooter]

So, the Seattle Super Sonics were bought last year by an Oklahoma group of investors. They said that they were not set on moving the team to Oklahoma, but it was definately the back-up plan . They wanted Key Arena in Seattle remodeled to include more luxury boxes and seating, to a tune of around $200-250 million, of which the team would come up with next to nothing. Keep in mind that the Key was remodeled in 1995, in which the bill is far from being paid off. The state, county, city and people of Seattle said no to their demands, so the team is looking to move to Bellevue or now the prefered site in Renton. They are asking the state and county for about 60% of the projected $530 million price tag for the new arena, and the remaining amount to be paid by the city, with very little to be paid by the team. Now, I think it is funny that the same state and county that denied $200 million last year is now being asked for $300 million, without the vote of the people by the way.

I say take a hike and move to Oklahoma. What do you guys (and gals) think?

[skilletshot]

Add in the fact fact that the Oklahoma City Hornets (aka New Orleans Hornets) are officially going back to New Orleans next season. The attendance has been incredible. We will welcome the Sonics when they arrive.

[Scooter]

Skilletshot and anyone else from Oklahoma...I am not down on the people of Oklahoma. If they move to OK, I wish you all great success. I just think their time in Washington is over.

[Jeff Higgins]

I say let 'em walk. The days of pro sports extorting taxpayer money need to come to an end. They are an entertainment industry that contributes virtually nothing to the municipalities in which they are located. If they cannot be self-supporting, the taxpayers should not have to foot the bill. Only the people who attend the games. Maybe when the already exhorbidant ticket prices reflect the market reality of stadium/arena costs and player salaries, the whole damn thing will finally implode on itself. It's out of control.

By the way, Scooter, what are you doing up so early? And sitting at your keyboard? It's a beautiful sunny day out there. Some one should be out driving and enjoying it, since I can't.

[Scooter]

Playing golf in a little bit.

[Hoots]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
If they cannot be self-supporting, the taxpayers should not have to foot the bill.

+ 1

[Noah930]

Another +1.

When East Coast sportsfans find out I grew up in LA, they increduously ask me why a city the size of LA doesn't have a football team. And for once, I'm glad that the populace of La-La Land is apathetic enough to not give a crap that the NFL is gone.

[jorian]

As much as I have enjoyed the sonics in Seattle I say good riddance. Asking the state to buck up so that players can continue making the kind of money that puts Play Stations screens into Bentleys is offensive.

[alf]

They could go away along with the other sports teams if it is costing tax $$ to keep them around.

[Sonic dB]

We are pretty happy here out in So Cal.
Its sunny and like 80 today and Oklahoma
doesnt have beaches.
Thanks for asking though.

[plain fan]

Oh we have beaches; just not comparable to CA beaches...

[Gooch1971]

Scenario: The Hornets move back to New Orleans after this season and the Sonics were to then move to OKC.

Question: Would the Sonics make a trade with the Hornets to get Desmond Mason back in order to have a "Homestate" guy tp help draw fans?

[legion]

Da Mayor forced through some shady deals that has ME paying for the Eyesore by the Lakeshore (even though officially renovations were officially paid for with a new hotel tax in the city). I think politicians routinely overestimate what sports teams do and underestimate what they cost to have around..

[MichiganMat]

I was at the Sonics/Suns game last week at Key Arena, and that place is super-nice, probably one of the cleanest and pedestrian friendly areas I've ever been too. I think it would be a shame for Seattle to lose them.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by MichiganMat
I was at the Sonics/Suns game last week at Key Arena, and that place is super-nice, probably one of the cleanest and pedestrian friendly areas I've ever been too.

Evidently not nice enough for the greed SOBs who are the current owners.

Goodbye and good ridance.

[Whtnkls911]

Let them go to Oklahoma.... Paul Allen can bring the Trailbalzers to Seattle

[Scooter]

Originally posted by MichiganMat
I was at the Sonics/Suns game last week at Key Arena, and that place is super-nice, probably one of the cleanest and pedestrian friendly areas I've ever been too. I think it would be a shame for Seattle to lose them.

You are right, the Key is nice, but there is NO way the Sonics will be playing there after 2010.

The Paul Allen idea is something I have heard before. It might work, but only if Paul puts up the $$$. It is funny how Portland got a new arena years ago, owned by a company Paul owns, then it went bankrupt.

[Basquiat]

Wouldn't it be more enjoyable if they just moved to Hell, or would no one notice the difference?

[Moneyguy1]

What is it with professional sports that requires such high investment by the taxpayer? I saw it back east in a few cities where the governments were struggling to stay afloat and the teams would threaten to walk if they did not get new or vastly upgraded digs. How can Joe Sixpack justify paying high ticket costs to watch a bunch of overpaid musclebound jocks who make millions for doing next to nothing?

Tis a puzzlement.

[Scooter]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
What is it with professional sports that requires such high investment by the taxpayer? I saw it back east in a few cities where the governments were struggling to stay afloat and the teams would threaten to walk if they did not get new or vastly upgraded digs. How can Joe Sixpack justify paying high ticket costs to watch a bunch of overpaid musclebound jocks who make millions for doing next to nothing?

Tis a puzzlement.

Mark this day, we actually agree on something!