Thursday, March 27, 2008

One step closer

David Stern was in town (OKC that is) this week with a sub-committee of the NBA owners' relocation committee. OU did its part by sending Bob Stoops to be part of the OKC welcoming delegation: Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and numerous other representatives of the city, state and sports community came out to welcome Stern, New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz, Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and Los Angeles Lakers vice president Jeanie Buss as Oklahoma City brought out fancy cars and hard facts to woo its first major-league sports franchise (Wow Stoops is slipping. Second billing behind the Gov.? He needs to win him some bowl games).

After the presentation, Stern indicated that the sub-committee was going to recommend allowing the move: "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.

Stern also smacked down the late Seattle bid by Steve Balmer to buy the Sonics back from Clay Bennett and pay for half of renovating the Key Arena:

When asked about a group of Seattle businessmen who have offered to fund half of a $300 million renovation at KeyArena, the Sonics' current home, Stern rejected the option.

"The reason that this journey began was because KeyArena was not an adequate arena going forward and there were a lot of recommendations made for another arena ... but the tax revenues and the various contributions weren't forthcoming," Stern said.

Only one little hurdle left: Busdriver, BREAK THAT LEASE!!!

7 comments:

Angus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I know you've probably answered this previously, but what exactly is getting your Jones for the NBA satisfied locally going to cost the city/state of OK?

Our new stadium for the Colts set us back a ton.

Fundman

Angus said...

If memory serves it's $122 million raised by extending a $0.01 sales tax surcharge that was due to expire. The was approved by 62% of the voters, though 100% of them will have to pay it. A small price indeed for my increased happiness, don't you think?? 8^)

Anonymous said...

Hornets for Sonics? That is the worst trade in the NBA since Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant.

Anonymous said...

If your happiness is worth an extra 122 mill, mine ought to be worth at least half that. Should I send a request directly to the OK City gov or is there an on line application for the cash?

Fundman

Anonymous said...

Incentives work, just pay us here in WA and we will gladly let you have the team.

Angus said...

Um, anon at 9:31. The team *has* been paid for by Clay Bennett, upwards of 300 million. He has further offered to buy out the lease but the Seattle city govt. claims that there is no price they will take and have taken Bennett to court to try and force him to serve out the terms of the lease.

Fundman, send me your request, with a $500 check for "processing" and I'll take it up with the OKC powers that be.