Chief
03-07-2008, 03:57 PM
http://www.kirotv.com/sports/15525697/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=news
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A key state lawmaker said there's no chance the Legislature can consider a proposal to save the Sonics before the session ends next week.
Rep. Jeff Morris of Anacortes said it's too late in the session to push through a tax measure to help remodel KeyArena for an NBA basketball team.
"We have no language to even put before the body at this point. We're on a 24-second shot clock down here in the last part of our session, and the buzzer's about ready to go off, and we're just out of time," he told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.
A group of Seattle investors is offering to buy the Sonics and put money into the KeyArena renovation.
The city of Seattle is making a last-ditch effort to save the SuperSonics and is calling on some heavy hitters in local business.
On Thursday, Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled the $300 million renovation plan and announced a group of local businessmen was interested in buying the team from owner Clay Bennett.
The ownership group includes Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, wireless entrepreneur John Stanton and Seattle developer Matt Griffin.
Under the city's proposal, the group would pay for $150 million in upgrades, and taxpayers would cover the other half -- with $75 million coming from Seattle and $75 million coming from existing state taxes.
Bennett has applied to relocate the Sonics to Oklahoma City and has said his team is not for sale.
**SCHNIPP**
Let me put on my tinfoil hat and expound on my favorite conspiracy theory...
The Trailblazers are almost toast in Portland. Once the Sonics are comfortably settled in their new stadium in OKC, you will see Paul Allen start making noises about moveing his Basketball team to Seattle, to be right next to his football team.
Trust me, there will be a sweetheart tax deal cut up there to keep a pro basketball team in Seattle, and the Trailblazers are the team that makes the most sense to fill the hole the Sonics will leave. There will be tax dollars thrown at this from every corner of the Puget Sound and beyond. Bet me that Patty Murray finds some Federal money to throw at it too.
Remember that you heard it here first...
8)
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A key state lawmaker said there's no chance the Legislature can consider a proposal to save the Sonics before the session ends next week.
Rep. Jeff Morris of Anacortes said it's too late in the session to push through a tax measure to help remodel KeyArena for an NBA basketball team.
"We have no language to even put before the body at this point. We're on a 24-second shot clock down here in the last part of our session, and the buzzer's about ready to go off, and we're just out of time," he told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.
A group of Seattle investors is offering to buy the Sonics and put money into the KeyArena renovation.
The city of Seattle is making a last-ditch effort to save the SuperSonics and is calling on some heavy hitters in local business.
On Thursday, Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled the $300 million renovation plan and announced a group of local businessmen was interested in buying the team from owner Clay Bennett.
The ownership group includes Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, wireless entrepreneur John Stanton and Seattle developer Matt Griffin.
Under the city's proposal, the group would pay for $150 million in upgrades, and taxpayers would cover the other half -- with $75 million coming from Seattle and $75 million coming from existing state taxes.
Bennett has applied to relocate the Sonics to Oklahoma City and has said his team is not for sale.
**SCHNIPP**
Let me put on my tinfoil hat and expound on my favorite conspiracy theory...
The Trailblazers are almost toast in Portland. Once the Sonics are comfortably settled in their new stadium in OKC, you will see Paul Allen start making noises about moveing his Basketball team to Seattle, to be right next to his football team.
Trust me, there will be a sweetheart tax deal cut up there to keep a pro basketball team in Seattle, and the Trailblazers are the team that makes the most sense to fill the hole the Sonics will leave. There will be tax dollars thrown at this from every corner of the Puget Sound and beyond. Bet me that Patty Murray finds some Federal money to throw at it too.
Remember that you heard it here first...
8)