Damnit David!
sandcrabs April 21st, 2008
Once again we see what truly runs the NBA. Money. The owners have overwhelmingly authorized for the Seattle Supersonics to be moved to BFE. Now before anybody starts in with “The owners can do what they want” crap let me first state that I do agree with that statement. If a city does not show the support necessary to keep a team then it’s their own fault if the owner wants to move. I have nothing against Art Modell or Jim Irsay. They are smart businessmen who saw a better opportunity elsewhere. How they went about it could be questioned, but I feel it’s within their rights to relocate to a more lucrative market. Seattle really hasn’t shown that much support for a once-storied franchise who does have an NBA crown. What does rankle me are the circumstances that are now coming to light. Most notably the evidence that shows the new ownership group really had no intention on keeping the team in Seattle. They knew ahead of time that their proposals where so far above and beyond what any sane person would agree to, and they knew when purchasing the team that they would be able to spin it their way. Howard Schultz’s attempt to regain the team again is admirable, but a little too late. If the team and the fans meant so much to him then why sell the team in the first place? Clay Bennett? The epitome of snake, politician or any other slimy creature you can think of. The communications that have been made public show that he and the group had no intention of staying in Seattle even though in order to purchase the team he had to promise to. Their half-hearted attempts were a joke even before this information came out. Now that we have more of the story it looks closer to fraud. That’s too bad because Oklahoma City supported the displace New Orleans Hornets with passion and intensity that we wish we could see from other cities.
The main issue that I take umbrage with is David Stern’s inability to run the league like he’s in charge. He allowed the vote to take place even in the face of these allegations and without even looking into the situation more. What was the motivation? Of course, money. That’s what David Stern is all about. Staging games in a country known more for it’s human rights violations than for anything else (China) bolsters trade relations for sure. Asking for a boycott of goods from China is extremely difficult because, like most of you, over half the tags on items that I own are made in China. Ain’t that a bitch? Oh, I try and look before purchasing but is it really my responsibility to not buy these things or should my government be the ones trying to stem that tide? Just as it should be David Stern’s responsibility to look out for the fans. Without us, there really would be no NBA. Unfortunately, and Mr. Stern is well aware of this, piss off one group of fans (Seattle) and just find another to take their place (Oklahoma City). It’s all about the Benjamins. Integrity? Loyalty? Who cares? As long as the owners continue to line his pockets all fans should be as nervous as those in Seattle.
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