So Long Seattle Supersonics: The Blame Game Goes into Overdrive

Oh, and before someone says there's not much cash to be raked in once you pay those bloated salaries, think again. Concessions, parking, souvenirs, and a nice fat paycheck from the NBA as their share of TV, cable, radio and other rights will pay for more than a few replacement nets. 

Seattle of course cried "foul!.” Of course, this came only after their constituents raised the leaky roof and demanded action from their elected stuffed suits. To the rescue they would sally forth, save the day, the sun would shine, the games would be played, and the rotation of the earth would be righted.

Oh yes, and then there's the silly little extra of garnering a few votes in the process.

 Sonics fans, you never had a chance. The moving boxes arrived the day Bennett bought the team, and even the NBA knew it was a "fait accompli". They've been paving the way for this since the first purchasing contracts were signed.

The City is to blame for allowing the Arena to fall into disrepair. For not realizing what a sports team and a decent concert venue can mean to a community. For failing to spend that taxpayer cash wisely and effectively before the panic sets in. For putting themselves in a position to be extorted and used as nothing more than a bargaining chip.

For failing to do their jobs as the voice of the people.

Clay Bennett is to blame for tearing at the emotional fabric of a loyal fan base and a franchise that long ago proved they deserved to be right where they were. For knowing full well he could demand the City build him a new home and he would either get his palace or break out the moving fans.

Guilty of knowing the City would never agree to his demands and it would be "Oklahoma City Here We Come!". Guilty of knowing how to play the system like a card counter in Las Vegas. 

The NBA is guilty of knowing full well what his intentions were and not becoming involved until the last minute. Of having owners who would know full well the value of a few million and would never vote down a proposed move if it meant exploiting a new and different city for another wash of cash they would all drink from. Guilty of toying with fans emotions by issuing useless statements about working as hard as they could to keep the team where it was.

And the fans? Also guilty to an extent. Guilty of being naive enough to think that just because they bought every little trinket and became emotionally involved in every facet of their team that it would one day save them from extinction. Of failing to demand those elected officials take action before it becomes a crisis. Of allowing themselves to believe that right would triumph over darkness in the end.

Guilty of simply being a loyal fan.

Oklahoma City has it's share of blame here as well. Elected officials are guilty of seeing the dollar signs of attracting a major league sports team to their town. Of touting the economic benefits and jobs such an arrival will create, knowing full well that almost every logical study ever done shows there is a moderate gain at best.

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