Seattle SuperSonics set sail for Oklahoma

It seems that nothing can stop the transfer of the legendary franchise to Oklahoma City. The last game the Sonics played in Seattle (and possibly the last in history) last week against Dallas Mavericks put the willies more than one.

Just a few months (November 2007), David Stern, NBA commissioner, said the following about the possibility that the Sonics will leave Seattle because of Clay Bennett, the Sonics majority owner: "I would love to find a way to make the team to stay, because if the franchise moves from town, there will be another team that is, at least in the near future, and that would be really bad for the city. "

Everything has changed since then. David Stern has given his support for Clay Bennett to change the city despite many attempts by fans and NBA executives have opposed. The game against Dallas, won by the Sonics, lived emotional moments.

Mark Cuban, Mavericks owner, was an ardent supporter of the franchise to remain in Seattle, where she is 41 years. Jason Terry, guard base-Mavs came out with a green shirt, gold and black. Gary Payton, Sonics' biggest star in recent times, made the following statements:

"We do not want my jersey is retired in Oklahoma City. It's where I played. Oklahoma City fans did not see me live, but on TV. My fans are in Seattle. "

Clearer water. But the reality is quite raw about Seattle. And the team's poor season has not helped. The fans do not fill the stadium and the losses amounted to more than $ 30 million, which the owners were unwilling to agree to another year.

Oklahoma demonstrated when Katrina flooded New Orleans that the city wants an NBA team. They were with the Hornets to death and not his team. In addition, they have no top team in any other sport, so it can be dumped with the only NBA team.

However, the former owner of the Sonics has started proceedings to sue Clay Bennett to get the Sonics in Seattle (which may change names), since the contract was signed that Bennett and other owners would strive to leave the team in Seattle. Require that is returned for breach of contract.

Meanwhile, the NBA has already said yes to the transfer. The only teams that refused to change their domicile Sonics were Dallas Mavericks (light) and Portland Trail Blazers.

The only possibility that the Sonics stay in Seattle seems to be that Howard Schultz, the former owner of the Sonics, unsuccessful.

"When the last fan leaves the Sonics to the stadium, please turn off the lights." What a Picture. Imagine watching these two fans empty the stadium where they have seen their Sonics play for an eternity and now I can not do it anymore.

A sad end to one of the most legendary NBA cities.

Images: Wikipedia, Sonics-garage.