Posted on June 20th, 2008 by Agent 47
It’s almost a fact that the Sonics are leaving Seattle for Oklahoma City, the questions is when…
Yesterday marked the fourth day of a sixth day trial to determine if the Sonics can leave now by breaking a lease they have which ends in two years, or if they have to honor the lease and remain for two more seasons at Seattle. The first day of the trial, around 3,000 Sonics fans gather together in front of the courthouse where the luck of their team is being decided. “We may lose the Sonics but we’re going to make a helluva lot of noise doing it.” A fan said.
The battle is between Sonics owner Clay Bennett and the city of Seattle, and if the Sonics are ruled in favor of leaving now, they will be forced to pay a sum that is not yet determined but that it will be substantial, since having a professional NBA team in the city means civic pride, and that is something that cannot be calculated in numbers.
Another key factor is that the Sonics support 1,300 people, and contributes with around $188 millions in local economic activity, which just worsen the situation.
Will the Sonics fans keep on cheering for their team even if they don’t belong to Seattle anymore? I bet most of them will…
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