Seattle Swan Song: Sonics To Bid Adieu to the Emerald City?

I've never been one to watch the NBA religously—for the first 12 years of my life, I couldn't possibly have cared less about professional basketball (aside from SpaceJam—that movie changed my way of life and my perception of Looney Tunes).

The Vince Carter scenario didn't help much—the most overpaid, underplayed, injury-prone, lame-duck excuse of a player weaned me off the NBA for another few years.

The renaissance in Toronto has gotten me right back onto the bandwagon, but just as soon I may hop off.

Although it shouldn't mean this much to a lukewarm NBA fan in the Eastern part of the continent (in Canada no less), I'm devastated.

The Seattle SuperSonics are moving.

Did I ever watch them religiously? Hell no. The only reason I knew they existed was because I found the name SuperSonics amusing.

But that doesn't change the fact that I'm overwhelmed by the fact that they're moving, and as usual, the devoted fans of a franchise destined to be relocated have been suppressed by some billionaire bigot, hell-bent on bringing a franchise to his hometown. 

Word on the street is that Clay Bennett is a snake. At least that's what Howard Schultz—the former owner of the Sonics—claims. After the sale of the club for $350 million in 2006, it's alleged that Bennett said he would "make a good-faith effort" to work out a deal with Key Arena so he could keep the team in Seattle.

E-mails have surfaced from amongst the ranks of Bennett and his partners that claim there was never any intent to at least try and make the team viable in Seattle.

Now he's suing to get the team back. 

So far Bennett seems like a pretty honorable fellow, right?

What if you throw in the fact that the city of Seattle is filing a lawsuit against him because he's trying to buy his way out of the last two years of the current Key Arena lease? Or the fact that the fans are working on a civil suit against him, after they claim to be misinformed.

They thought they were buying tickets for a team that was going to remain in their city—not one that was lacing up it's sneakers already. 

Oh, and then there's the fact that he'll do Seattle the "favor" of leaving the SuperSonics history, name, and team identity behind—just in case the NBA ever wants to return there and pick up where it left off.

This is something NBA commissioner David Stern—who has seemingly backed the move of the Sonics since its inception—won't elaborate on, leaving Seattle in a state of limbo.

There's a small bit of hope though.

If the city of Seattle wins their case, then the Sonics are "stuck" there until 2010, which suits Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer just fine.

See, Ballmer and his group of investors are committed to keeping the Sonics in Seattle. They're willing to lay down $150 million (half of a $300 million plan) to upgrade Key Arena, while they're also working to purchase the Sonics from Bennett so that the team can remain in Seattle.

But that's only in the event that those lawsuits buy them enough time to get their pitch together. 

The Sonics have been losing money for awhile. There's no doubt that their recent financial stature is the main reason for this move.

However, can't we let it go a little more honorably than this?

For the sake of fans everywhere, I hope one of these lawsuits makes it through, just so it stalls the sale. Then maybe they can get an owner committed to making it work in Seattle.

Or at least another few years of the Sonics. 

It's one thing to have an owner try and make it work, it's another to have one swoop in and move the team just because he can.

So I want the city of Seattle to do everyone a favor...

If one of the lawsuits goes through, and you're given a few grace years with the SuperSonics, then jump on like you've never jumped before.

Go to every home game you can, grab up every piece of merchandise you want, and show David Stern and the rest of the NBA that you care. 

Enjoy your last few years this team, and show them what you're made of.

If the Seattle SuperSonics have to move (and again, financially there are very legitimate reasons for this), then let it be in a more respectable way than this—not some bloody, angry, egregious mess.

Whatever happens though, I'll always remember the name...

Seattle SuperSonics, 1967-2008, 1979 NBA Champions