It's Official: Clay Bennet is a Snake.

by hookshot on Apr 10, 2008 10:26 AM PDT

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-38/Reading-Clay-Bennett-s-E-Mail.html

Finally, hard proof of what we've known all along. If anyone knows, works for, or sees Paul Allen even in passing, tell him to read this and vote NO when the vote on relocation comes up. And if you're one of those Seattle haters that doesn't care: fans don't let fans get raped. I can't tell you how i feel about Bennet since this is a family friendly site, but I think this shows he is clearly in violation of the good faith clause of the terms of sale and should be forced to sell the team. What do you think should/will happen now?

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he may be a snake

I don't really know the details of the situation other than the basic points given in the media. It seriously does suck for the fans, but I think Seattle has long moved away from the Sonics in favor of the Mariners and Seahawks. If Bennet is violating league rules wouldn't Stern do something about it?

by Philthyanimal on Apr 10, 2008 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

No.

David Stern is a corrupt tool. The situation in Seattle viz support for the Sonics is roughly equivalent to the 2003-2005 Blazers era - unfortunately, Bennett and pals showed up with a check. Denying the Sonics a free ride with regards to a new (taxpayer funded) arena has more to do with the underhanded tactics used to finance Safeco Field & Qwest Field - unfortunately the Sonics came knocking too late after taxpayers had had enough.

by DonkeyShins on Apr 10, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

wierd

If I was Seattle...I'd probably be sick and tired of funding another stadium, so I don't blame them. At the same time I don't know how you can force someone to lose money. I think for us losing the Blazers would mean more than for them to lose the Sonics, considering they have 2 other pro teams. If Bennet was telling the truth about leaving the name and mascot behind for Seattle to have, then the next team that comes will be able to take over where Bennet left off.

It kind of makes me sick sometimes seeing how government spends so much money on their pet projects but neglect other things. In Portland we have the damn OHSU tram that was way overpriced, yet we don't have any new highways, funding for jails, or sufficient funding for our schools.

PS...I'll agree with you on Stern. I'm not too big of a fan of him either. I do like what Roger Goddell is doing with the NFL however.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 10, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Force someone to lose money?

I don't buy that argument.

No one forced him to buy the team. If one of the conditions of buying the team was to make a legitimate good faith effort to stay in Seattle, and he's in breach of that, he isn't being forced to lose money.

He voluntarily entered into a purchase knowing that, under the terms of the purchase, he could be left in a money-losing situation. He chose to take the risk.

He could have potentially huge legal liabilities here, if he's intentionally been in violation of the purchase agreement. That's the kind of thing that brings huge punitive damages.

I'm frequently right, but always certain

by jscot on Apr 11, 2008 2:18 AM PDT up reply actions

jscot the agreement was with Schultz

According to a UW law professor, the impact of any good faith agreement would depend on whether it was signed as part of the sale agreement or was agreed upon prior to the sale of the team. If it is the latter, the sale agreement pretty much invalidates any prior agreement reached.

Even if the good faith agreement was part of the sale agreement, it would have to be Schultz and his ownership group that brought suit against Bennett, as they are the only party with standing. In the unlikely event that were to occur, it is still difficult to prove that one party clearly failed to act in good faith, as that is a term that is fairly undefined.

by timg56 on Apr 11, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

We always knew he was a snake ...

We just didn't know what kind. Apparently he's a sidewinder--and a stupid one at that--because he doesn't cover his tracks ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyXNBAHu32o&NR=1

by bfan on Apr 10, 2008 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

his most remarkable adaptation

is that he doesn't need water? I don't get it.

by kickbrass on Apr 10, 2008 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I ran over a sidewinder

On my bike when I was younger. It was an accident.

Wells Fargo Free Pony For Lucky Section Lucky Row

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 10, 2008 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Quit being nice to Bennett

snake is a compliment. Since this is a family site and Dave will yell at me I will bite my tounge.

The NBA

Where Kyle Korver happens.

by SpyderRyder on Apr 10, 2008 1:44 PM PDT reply actions

Be careful

If you bite your tongue you will poison yourself. ;-)

by amlmart1 on Apr 10, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Nothing like having a proven liar

for your franchise's owner. And lying to fans, no less. If I were Seattle at this point I'd be cheering for this trash to get out of my city.

David Stern isn't much better once you get past the credit he doesn't deserve at all.

by leeroyjenkins on Apr 10, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

Seattle situation is unfortunate

But is clear to me that David Stearn is complicit in the Seattle relocation for the following reason, plain and simple: he believs taxpayers should highly subsidize owners by building facilities to improve the profit margin of all NBA franchise owners. If taxpayers choose not to subsidize, then Stearn is saying he will allow the removal of the team to a new city that will subsidize, even if that is to a significantly smaller market (and fewer overall bucks to be made).

Owners will vote on this issue later this year indirectly by either approving Bennet's and Stearns's tactic or not. To date, only Mark Cuban has openly spoke against the proposition of relocation. Cuban's gripe is that market should be the indicator not necessarily the subsidy.

Stearn will relocate a new team to Seattle once a taxpayer subsidy is in place (ie. a new building bought and paid for by the Taxpayers with little or no financial commitment by the new owner).

by NWfan on Apr 10, 2008 3:19 PM PDT reply actions

Junk

This whole thing is just junk. When I look it it from their side, I think there is no way in heck they give up the team. Bennett has a roster with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green and they will probably add Derrick Rose. There is no way he is going to sell the team, Seattle's only hope is a team switcheroo.

What is love? Baby don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. No more.

by tominhawaii on Apr 10, 2008 3:50 PM PDT reply actions

Seattle may be getting the shaft

I live 33 miles south of Seattle and know the whole story.Bennett was lieing from the gate.and nobody forced him to buy the team.philtyanimal just because there's football and baseball does not mean we don't love the Sonics remeber they are the only ones that has brougt a world championship to the city of Seattle well and the Storm.But what I'm trying to say is we love our Basketball the Sonics have been here for over forty years.My self if Mr.Stern trys to get the B.O.G. meeting which it on the 17 of this month to vote for the move Ihope the city of Seattle sues the NBA.As far as the taxpayers not wanting to pay for another arena Bennet came to the City,State and demanded we build him a 500 million state of the art arena and did not want put up a dime.And if you do your reserch there are six or seven arena in the NBA that are Privatly funded.But my point is if he would have been willing to put up half we may have been able to do something.Mr.P.Allen payed for over half of Qwest Field and all the over cost.But here is what I think should happen since Mr.Bennett lied to H.Schultz,the NBA and the City and State of Washington,Since thier is local group that are willing to buy and help with a new arena he shuold have to sell to the local group and Mr.Stern give him a team that does not have forty years of history or the next expantion team.The local group said they would give him 350 hundred million plus put up at least half the money to remodel or build a new arena.Now with that offer how could Mr. Stern turn away somebody that has money like Mr.P.Allen. Microsoft Ceo even Downtown freddie brown wants to help build an arena and keep the NBA in Seattle for those of you that don't know Fred Brown he was a member of Seattle SuperSonics Championship team.Just M.I. But really I am aBlazer fan I was born in Portland and lived there for thrity five years was there in 77 when the Blazers won the Championship so I would love for Seattle to stay so I could still go see the best team in all of pro sports and I do go To Seahawks andMariners Game too.I just don't want to see the NBA leave Seattle.

by billyjoejack on Apr 11, 2008 10:53 PM PDT reply actions

Seattle may be getting the shaft

I live 33 miles south of Seattle and know the whole story.Bennett was lieing from the gate.and nobody forced him to buy the team.philtyanimal just because there's football and baseball does not mean we don't love the Sonics remeber they are the only ones that has brougt a world championship to the city of Seattle well and the Storm.But what I'm trying to say is we love our Basketball the Sonics have been here for over forty years.My self if Mr.Stern trys to get the B.O.G. meeting which its on the 17 of this month to vote for the move I hope the city of Seattle sues the NBA.As far as the taxpayers not wanting to pay for another arena Bennet came to the City,State and demanded we build him a 500 million state of the art arena and did not want put up a dime.And if you do your reserch there are six or seven arena in the NBA that are Privitly funded.But my point is if he would have been willing to put up half we may have been able to do something.Mr.P.Allen payed for over half of Qwest Field and all the over cost.But here is what I think should happen since Mr.Bennett lied to H.Schultz,the NBA and the City of Seattle and State of Washington,Since thier is local groups that are willing to buy and help with a new arena he shuold have to sell to the local group and Mr.Stern give him a team that does not have forty years of history or the next expantion team.The local group said they would give him 350 hundred million plus put up at least half the money to remodel or build a new arena.Now with that offer how could Mr. Stern turn away somebody that has money like Mr.P.Allen. Microsoft Ceo even Downtown freddie brown wants to help build an arena and keep the NBA in Seattle for those of you that don't know Fred Brown he was a member of Seattle SuperSonics Championship team.Just M.I. But really I am aBlazer fan I was born in Portland and lived there for thrity five years was there in 77 when the Blazers won the Championship so I would love for Seattle to stay so I could still go see the best team in all of pro sports and I do go To Seahawks andMariners Game too.I just don't want to see the NBA leave Seattle. People in Seattle love thier NBA WE love all sports we like to have year round sports with no NBA between end of January and April there no sports and also we can watch basketball during the week in the fall as you know in Portland football is only on sunday and mondays

by billyjoejack on Apr 11, 2008 11:06 PM PDT reply actions