Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced his intention to sue Clay Bennett and his Oklahoma-based ownership group for control of the Seattle SuperSonics today. The Seattle businessman previously owned the team before selling the franchise to Bennett and a handful of other Oklahoma businessmen.
If Schultz is successful, Bennett and his partners could be found guilty of a breach of contract and might lose their rights to the team.
The basis for the lawsuit is the recent release of e-mails between Bennett and the other owners explaining their intent to move the Sonics to Oklahoma as soon as possible. Normally, this would be within his rights, but Bennett made a promise to Schultz as a part of their contract that a "good-faith effort" would be made to keep the basketball franchise in Seattle.
The e-mails in question were sent in the midst of Bennett's self-described "good-faith effort." ESPN reported that in one e-mail Bennett even wrote, "I am a man possessed! Will do everything we can. Thanks for hanging with me boys."
If this is true, Bennett proved he is guilty of breaching his contract, and also that he has poor grammar.
The interesting story to come will involve Bennett's longtime friend/accomplice, NBA Commissioner David Stern.
If Stern, a lawyer, were to further side with Bennett during a possible ownership legal battle, he would undoubtedly face a no-confidence vote from NBA owners around the league. If Schultz is successful, however, Stern will have committed himself to a losing battle and might be seen as ineffective by the owners.
April 15, 2008: A bad day for Clay Bennett, David Stern, and those who left their taxes to the last minute. A wonderful day for the Seattle SuperSonics, the NBA, and true basketball fans everywhere.
Could Schultz be returning his attention to the SuperSonics as a way to save his image in Seattle and elsewhere? Is he simply trying to become a "hero" in order to bring a boost to Starbucks' slumping sales?
I couldn't care less...
Save the Sonics!
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3 months ago
"and also that he has poor grammar." Good stuff.
Here's hoping Seattle stays put.
But I believe you could *not* care less, for if you could care less, then there is room left not to care...just sayin...
3 months ago
haha You got me Tim, seeing how I attack Bennett for his lack of proper sentence structure, I should probably have solid word choice and grammar myself!
Thanks for checking out the article, this could be almost as exciting as the playoffs itself. I can't effectively communicate how wrong I feel this whole move has been. Sure, teams will be sold and moved, but there is a level of collusion here between Bennett and Stern that seems borderline criminal. After such a wonderful season of (mostly) positive stories and subplots, it's almost as if Stern is undoing all of the goodwill earned following Kobe's summer antics, the ref (I refuse to speak his name) scandal, and a ridiculous price hike in almost every stadium (regardless of performance or popularity). Here's to hoping that Seattle successfully stands up to Stern and the majority of NBA owners who are most likely in favor of the team's move due to their own selfish desire to use threats to leave town in order to secure money from hardworking taxpayers.
3 months ago
Another well-written and pertinent article, Andrew. I wonder how strictly the courts will interpret the contract of sale.
from 3 months ago
Matt,
Thanks again for your support and continued additions to my scattered thoughts.
It really is going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the courts. Unfortunately, before a truly impartial court, I don't believe a handful of e-mails, no matter how blatantly worded they may be, will constitute enough to nullify a contract that has billions of potential dollars on the line. However, this guy's rooting for some judges with strict interpretations of contracts (and maybe a bit of a homer mentality).
I'm all for Oklahoma City getting it's own franchise, and I'll support it before I ever speak in favor of France, Spain, China, Hong Kong, or any other country getting its own team (with the exception, possibly, of Canada because of the way its fan base has rallied behind the unpredictable Raptors). But it is simply a slap in the face to basketball purists for us to have to watch a pillar of the NBA community be uprooted from one of the country's great sports cities simply because the taxpayers took a stand and said "enough is enough". We should all only be so brave. It's time this country stops subsidizing oil for Iraq, wars in regions most of us never even studied in high school, and sports stadiums that simply make the rich ownership groups richer. What ever happened to the ideals of a working healthcare system, or realistically funding our public schools, or trying to combat poverty and joblessness within our borders.
Kudos to Seattle for putting its money (or, more aptly, not putting it's money) where it's mouth is!
Thanks again for the read Matt!
3 months ago
It's awesome to see Schultz trying to ride in to the rescue. Whatever his motivation is, I think it'll contribute to keeping the Sonics in Seattle. It sure is becoming a crazy situation.
from 3 months ago
I couldn't agree more Mosang!
I think it's moments like this that define us as fans. No matter the history between cities and their sports teams, I think it's a testament to how strongly we can relate (even to our rivals) when it comes to the importance of sports in our lives as recreation, entertainment, and a sense of identity.
My first, and only, pair of over-priced player-endorsed kicks were Shawn Kemp's Kamikazes. It's the ridiculous little memories such as this that I will remember whether or not the city of Seattle gets bent over a table and screwed by Bennett and his backwoods cronies.
I know, I know, I promised that I would try to stay away from stereotypes (because I have nothing wrong with Oklahoma City or the south specifically), but when a guy perpetuates all of the classic ones (i.e. poor grammar and command of the english language, record-levels of lack of class, and lusting over his own sisters*) it's tough to bite your tongue.
*Author's Note: Bennett may or may not have incestual fantasies about his relatives. As of this comment, there is no solid link, but it almost seems a given at this point.
3 months ago
On the surface Schultz' move portrays him as Seattle hero, but his true motivations are nothing more than to save his own butt on the scary streets of an angered Emerald City.
This will do nothing, I'd argue that the State's request to Stern to not allow the team to move will have greater implications. Regardless, it all sucks. Seattle is saying goodbye to a stolen team. One cannot say that there haven't been options, the combined amount of offers to keep the team in Seattle combine to the billions. Yet, sooner or later Bennett and Stern will have their way.
As for the no-confidence vote among owners- I don't see that happening. And why should it? The owners aren't really affected by this move, it is the fans.
from 3 months ago
I agree, Bill, that Shultz's motivation is most likely self-preservation of his reputation.
I have to disagree, however, that the state of Washington's request to Commissioner Stern to not allow the team has "greater implications". These are politicians making what's known as a "vote of sentiment"... which is a nice way of saying "Here's what we'd like (or more accurately, what our constituents would like", but we know we're not going to get it."
It's a definite possibility that Bennett and Stern will get their way. But I think most sports fans watching this saga develop were shocked that (until now), no one had steped up. Maybe we've expected it because we're accustomed to the late game heroics of superstars like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant, David Ortiz, and others. No matter what his motivations are, Shultz is at least making a last ditch effort on 4th and long rather than giving in and watching the punt from the sidelines.
Finally, why would owners vote no-confidence? Not because of this issue, but because of Stern's ineffectiveness at succeeding. Quite frankly the owners are supporting his decision to move the team because they want their own leverage so they are able to threaten their own cities to build them arenas for free. If this passes, it's a huge step in that direction. If Stern has put his foot down on this issue and bungles it at the last minute, that's proof (in the yes of ownership groups) that he's lost his effectiveness and can't even get a "sure thing" done via a rigged system. That, Bill, is why Stern desperately needs this team to move to Oklahoma as soon as possible. He put his foot down and is now awaiting the results.
from 3 months ago
Schultz may be motivated by pride, greed, anger and a whole lot of other deadly sins, but who cares? In the state of Washington, good faith effort is a part of EVERY contract; it is assumed. This one had a special clause written in, above and beyond the normal - like with dates attached.
In a court of law, that makes it a lot more enforceable. The Idiot from OK can't claim he didn't know, or that his lawyers didnt' tell him - he signed it. And then he lied to his buddy David Stern who is either too stupid or arrogant or both to believe what he can read for himself.
As for the owners not being impacted, I beg to differ. Remember that the NBA has revenue sharing. The Sonic franchise is purposely being made to bleed money, and it is coming out of the owners' collective pockets. How long do you think they'll stand for their commish ok-ing that because he has a man-crush? And the option is to move to a smaller market with less potential for revenue, with an owner who has already lied and cost you money? If I were Cuban, I would be leading the lynch mob and go for Stern first so Clay-Clay can watch.
3 months ago
Stearn did side with Bennett what a suprise, good for Schultz, i dont care why he is doing it, this is not about him its about keeping a franchise in teh city that it should be in. Clay Bennett has proven to everyone that he had no intentions of even trying to keep the Sonics in Seattle. They have one of the best young talents in Durant and a very solid performer in Jeff Green, to build around and the fans in Seattle deserve the right to see what these two can do together in the years to come.
SAVE THE SONICS
from 3 months ago
I couldn't agree more Pirate. Thanks for the read and the post. This duo has the potential to surpass the Sonic's greatest duo (and one of the NBA's greatest as well): Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. If Kevin Durant and Jeff Green stay together and learn not only the pro-game, but each others' games as well... they will be scary for a long time to come. Seattle fans deserve this after continuing to support a team through mediocre records, some of the worst ownership, and 350 rainy days a year.
On top of Durant and Green, GM Sam Presti is yet another amazing addition that the fans deserve after their sacrifices and support. He turned one trade exception into three picks in what are projected to be loaded drafts.
That was one of Bennett's mistakes, allowing the team to have too much "promise". Sure he didn't want to leave town with nothing, but he gave the team enough future potential with two solid lottery picks last year, a young team with decent salary demands, and a top-notch GM who has already made some impressive moves. Clay's so bad, he can't even tank a season properly.
3 months ago
clay aiken will rot in hell
from 3 months ago
clay bennett*............... dont know how i messed that up LOL
from 3 months ago
Kevin, if hell is arranged alphabetically by first name (maybe a stretch, but I've never been so it's possible), they'll be right next to each other (unless Kevin Bacon really blows it before his "exit"). Thanks for the read!
from 3 months ago
Clay Aiken will also rot in hell. You weren't wrong on that one.
Another great article, Andrew. You've got "it."
from 3 months ago
Thanks JJ, I appreciate the comments as always and couldn't agree more about Aiken.
3 months ago
He will too, for his second album.
3 months ago
I hope the Sonics stay in Seattle. Basketball has been in the city for almost 30 years. There are countless memories, traditions, and moments from those years that are worth remembering and reliving.
David Stern truly bungled this one, and I hope the public outcry that has arisen from this subject forces him to work hard to keep the Sonics in Seattle.
The city deserves to watch Kevin Durant blossom.
3 months ago
No one cares enough about any sports franchise in Seattle, unless they are winning. Then it's the in thing to do. The Sonics aren't winning, period. If Sgt. Shultz cared about anything other than money, he wouldn't have entered into this deal with Bennett. See you later, sonics.
3 months ago
There is no way Bennett will be found guilty of anything. It probably won't even make it to court. The city of Seattle turned down what Bennett put on the table. Regardless of if he was sending emails at the time, if the city of Seattle would have approved the new stadium, the Sonics would be staying put. There's not enough leverage here to take the Sonics from Bennett.
I always hate to see a team leave its city, especially a team with such a great history in its current location. But, as ESPN Radio's "The Herd" show said yesterday, anyone with an I.Q. higher than motor oil had to know that Bennett was going to take the Sonics back to Oklahoma City. No matter what he says, Shultz knew this, too.
The fans have stopped showing up, the new stadium proposals have been turned down, and the team has been sold to a Okie who wants to take them home.
I don't like it, either... but it's reality. Barring a miracle, the Sonics will be heading to Oklahoma.
21 days ago
i hate you Shutz and I hat you Bennet you lieing #@#$#! but i am rooting for you SHultz and if you win you might gain your resspect back MIGHT. ive heard he has a solid case even though it sounds absurd. SHULTZ if you sell us out like the city im never buyin starbucks again evereverevere v
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