Quote:
Originally Posted by TripletDaddy
This article seems to imply that Stern is more upset with the City of Seattle and Washington legislature at its unwillingness to compromise.......as opposed to being upset at the Okie owner's unwillingness.
In fact, Stern seems to have no direct comments about the owner's behavior.
Maybe I am misunderstanding?
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7423058 |
That sounds correct. He said as much last year when he visited the state legislature. But remember who pays his salary.
There is no question the City of Seattle has been a difficult negotiating partner with Sonics ownership – past and present. Seattle has some moronic politicians.
On an aside, I think there are politicians now working behind the scenes to try and save the team – the governor being one.
But to me this is the crux of the issue, at this point… “Seattle deputy mayor Tim Ceis said "Mr. Stern ought to take some of his own advice and quit lobbing these things over the fence at us in press conferences ... and engage with us on ways to keep the team in Seattle."
They won't even listen to new deals on the table, but are only set on a single demand - $450m. A good example of this behavior is at Bennett's first press conference, when he first prchased the team; he came out and said the Key is no longer an option for the team. Period. Not that they are willing to sit down with the City and see if they can work on the deal, etc. But they shut the door on it (and the city) from the onset, in a press conference. What does Bennett expect in return?
Here is a good recap…
http://www.saveoursonics.org/