Sonics intend to relocate unless new arena is built
Basketball Betting Lines
11/02/2007 -
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - SuperSonics owner Clayton Bennett said in
a statement Friday that the team has notified the league of intentions to
relocate to Oklahoma City unless a new arena is built in Seattle.
Bennett said that the team has proposed a new arena for the Greater Seattle
area, but was unable to get the Washington Legislature to vote on the bill.
The new arena called for close to $300 million in public money.
"On behalf of the owners of the Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm, I am
disappointed that our efforts over the last fifteen months to foster the
development of a new multi-purpose arena in the Greater Seattle area were not
successful," Bennett said to open the statement.
Bennett feels that KeyArena is outdated and that a new state-of-the-art
facility is needed for the franchise to survive in the region. The team
reportedly lost $17 million last season because of its current lease
agreement, which Bennett is trying to void despite the city's effort to keep
the team through the end of the lease in 2010.
"Given the clear lack of public, political, and business support for a new
multi-purpose arena, plus the enactment of Initiative 91 as a City of Seattle
ordinance following a public vote authorized by the Seattle City Council
itself, and the significant operating losses the businesses are now incurring,
we have no option but to commence the NBA relocation process," Bennett added.
Oklahoma City has been thought of as a viable city to host an NBA team. The
New Orleans Hornets drew very well and the interest in the team was great when
it had to play there as New Orleans Arena was being renovated after Hurricane
Katrina.
"Today (Friday) we notified Commissioner Stern that we intend to relocate the
Sonics to Oklahoma City if we succeed in the pending litigation with the City,
or are able to negotiate an early lease termination, or at the end of the
lease term," said Bennett, who had previously issued an October 31 deadline
for a deal to be reached.
Bennett reaffirmed the franchise's commitment to putting together a winning
and competitive team despite the current stalemate regarding the arena.
"We will continue to provide our players, coaches and staff the tools and
support they need to be competitive," he said.
Bennett bought the Sonics last season from Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz
for $350 million.
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Patriots' Morris placed on IR >>
Foxboro, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New England Patriots running back Sammy Morris
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Morris has rushed for 384 yard
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Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Stars sent center Joel Lundqvist to
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Colts' Harrison questionable for matchup against Patriots >>
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Hurricanes' Wallin to undergo shoulder surgery >>
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Red Sox pick up options on Wakefield, Tavarez >>
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It's less than a month until the NHL hockey betting season opens at MySportsbook.com and preparations are underway for another battle in the race to hoist Lord Stanley's mug in 2007.
As cup crazy fans prepare to place their bets, one online sportsbook ,MySportsbook.com, is offering hockey betting lines on the 2007/2007 Stanley Cup , who will bring it home this upcoming season.
Despite a poor showing in last season's playoffs and the loss of Steve Yzerman to retirement, the Detroit Red Wings are early favourites at this online sportsbook with wagering odds of 6-1. The Wings will look to offensive powerhouse Pavel Datsyuk and newly appointed captain Nicklas Lidstrom to lead one of the league's most prominent franchises.
Always a threat are the Ottawa Senators, with newly acquired goaltender Martin Gerber from the Stanley Cup champion ,Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens are second best in the rankings at a 7-1 bet, and odds makers at this sportsbook are optimistic that the Ottawa squad will fare better than last season's Eastern Conference semi-final upset to the Buffalo Sabres.
Also worth noting are the defending Stanley Cup champs Carolina Hurricanes, a 10-1 bet to repeat. Behind the Canes are the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks all sit at 12-1. In the basement are the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and St. Louis Blues who all have 100-1 odds to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your hockey betting needs.
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