Chief
03-10-2008, 07:34 PM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004272789_websonics10m.html
By Jim Brunner and Ralph Thomas
Seattle Times staff reporters
Ratcheting up the pressure on the Legislature, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says his investment group's offer of $150 million in private money for a KeyArena expansion will go away if lawmakers don't act quickly.
In a letter to Gov. Christine Gregoire and legislative leaders, Ballmer's group said lawmakers need to authorize a taxpayer contribution to the KeyArena project before the NBA Board of Governors meets next month to vote on Sonics owner Clay Bennett's request to move the team to Oklahoma City.
If no arena plan is passed by April 10, "we will need to go back to our other responsibilities and our offer will expire," said the letter signed by Ballmer, wireless mogul John Stanton, Seattle developer Matt Griffin and Costco CEO Jim Sinegal.
Ballmer's group is offering to split the cost of a $300 million KeyArena renovation with the public. They're also willing to buy the Sonics or another NBA franchise to play there.
**SCHNIPP**
I think it's all over except for the creaming with the Sonics boys and girls. OKC is in a much better position to offer the kind of facility they want, so I look for the official announcement any time now...
Blazers fans, BOHICA!!
8)
By Jim Brunner and Ralph Thomas
Seattle Times staff reporters
Ratcheting up the pressure on the Legislature, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says his investment group's offer of $150 million in private money for a KeyArena expansion will go away if lawmakers don't act quickly.
In a letter to Gov. Christine Gregoire and legislative leaders, Ballmer's group said lawmakers need to authorize a taxpayer contribution to the KeyArena project before the NBA Board of Governors meets next month to vote on Sonics owner Clay Bennett's request to move the team to Oklahoma City.
If no arena plan is passed by April 10, "we will need to go back to our other responsibilities and our offer will expire," said the letter signed by Ballmer, wireless mogul John Stanton, Seattle developer Matt Griffin and Costco CEO Jim Sinegal.
Ballmer's group is offering to split the cost of a $300 million KeyArena renovation with the public. They're also willing to buy the Sonics or another NBA franchise to play there.
**SCHNIPP**
I think it's all over except for the creaming with the Sonics boys and girls. OKC is in a much better position to offer the kind of facility they want, so I look for the official announcement any time now...
Blazers fans, BOHICA!!
8)