RebKell's Junkie Boards

[cometsdrivefor5]

Does this mean that they're eventually be relocating to Oklahoma City, anybody?


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2522944

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Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge...I'm trying not to lose my head
huh huh huh huh huh

Grandmasterflash and the Furious Five

[toad455]

WOW! Didn't expect this so soon. Well, the team(s) can't move to OKC until Fall 2007. The Hornets are still play there this upcoming season. Wonder if LJ will still play for the Storm if they're in OKC or if she'd request a trade.

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LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

[comets2207]

uh, it also says this:

"the source indicated the new ownership group plans to keep the Sonics and Storm in the Seattle region."

[toad455]

Guess I missed that. Thanks.

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LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

[cometsdrivefor5]

[cometsdrivefor5]

[bullsky]

I hope they do stay in Seattle, but Oklahoma is still an option for the WNBA in the future if there is interest.. Sherri Coale has done well down there and last year Oklahoma solid a record 4,131 season tickets last season. It's expected to go well past 5,000 this year. Those are nice numbers.

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JENNASMITH13.com

2009 WNBA Draft Net - Contributor
Fine In '09 Blog - Contributor

"We will play defense for 94 feet of the court.
We are going to have an up-tempo style and
We are going to make people fear the Fighting Illini."
-Illinois Head Coach Jolette Law

[An_nic]

I know there are gonna be many people that will be upset about this, Seattle fought hard to get this team. Damn owners, well the lease on the Key doesn't run out till 2010 so maybe they'll wait till then to move them.

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"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

"Our greatest fear is not that we are in adequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." - Nelson Mandela

[comets2207]

[jimmyk]

I tell ya this, if the Storm moves to Oklahoma City because of all this (which of course came out of the arena issue) then I'll never touch another thing from Starbucks again.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[bullsky]

[bullsky]

http://www.oklahoman.net/article/2773972

Hornets will leave, but Sonics will come

[bullsky]

BTW-

Live Press Conference on NBA.com

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JENNASMITH13.com

2009 WNBA Draft Net - Contributor
Fine In '09 Blog - Contributor

"We will play defense for 94 feet of the court.
We are going to have an up-tempo style and
We are going to make people fear the Fighting Illini."
-Illinois Head Coach Jolette Law

[jimmyk]

How possible is it for the Sonics to leave and the Storm to stay? If that happens, the lack of winter basketball might be good for the Storm's attendance.

Just an optimistic thought.

This freaking sucks.

You can also get the press conference on www.kjram.com.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[suemar]

I believe Teena said it correctly. This league needs commited owners. Ones who are committed to the league and to the fans. I recall the Sting issue when the Hornets left. Sting was left hi and dry. Thank goodness the league keep them alive until new owners stepped in. Funny thing is it also ties in with the thread concerning sponser presence at the ASG. We love that Starbucks money is connected to our Storm but maybe we wont be too happy with mocca if this move does happen.

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2009
3 old nags
Santa Anita
Breeders Cup

[mysticsfan07]

Could someone give a recap of the press conference?

[jimmyk]

They kept saying over and over that they were intending to keep the teams in Seattle.

A reporter from the Seattle Times asked Howard how he thought a group from OKC would do any better getting a new lease deal than a group from Seattle.

He continued to blow some sort of smoke about how he thinks the teams are going to stay in the Northwest.

They're full of crap, in all honesty. Seattle's fans just got sold down the river, and it's just a matter of time until Oklahoma City reaps the benefits.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[LakotaStorm]

[jimmyk]

That's why I said that the New York Liberty's fans should be dancing in Times Square right about now. If Sue goes there and LJ goes with her, holy cow.

We used to think that Sue was going to be a Storm player forever, I don't think that's true if we're talking about the Oklahoma Storm in a few years.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[Sass]

The Storm also sent this email out to fans:

The Basketball Club of Seattle (BCOS) announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to sell its NBA Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA Seattle Storm for $350 million. The teams are being purchased by the Professional Basketball Club LLC, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based investment group led by Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of Dorchester Capital, a private investment company. Additional members of the group include Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and CEO, Chesapeake Energy Corporation; G. Jeffrey Records, Chairman of the Board and CEO, MidFirst Bank; Tom L. Ward, Chairman and CEO, Riata Energy, Inc., and G. Edward Evans, chairman, Syniverse Holding, Inc. The transaction is expected to close by the end of October of 2006.

"We have enjoyed the opportunity to own and operate the Sonics and the Storm for the past five seasons and are proud of what we've achieved both on and off the court," said Howard Schultz, chairman of the Basketball Club of Seattle. "Since the majority of the Basketball Club of Seattle's investors live and work in the Seattle community, it was extremely difficult for us to decide to sell the teams. As you may know, over the past two years, we have worked with local and state officials to seek a solution to the arena issues. However, it became more apparent that a new ownership group may be more successful in achieving the remaining goals of the Sonics and Storm."


"We are grateful to have the opportunity to combine our passion for professional basketball and our abilities to build successful business enterprises," said Bennett. "We thank the BCOS. They love this city and the Sonics and Storm. We appreciate the opportunity to lead a professional sports organization that has achieved the pinnacle of success within both the NBA and WNBA.


"The Sonics and the Storm are synonymous with Seattle, and it is our desire to have the Sonics and the Storm build upon their great legacies in the Greater Seattle area," added Bennett. "We believe with the right dynamics on the court, the right community support, the right business model and a financially committed ownership group that recognizes and respects Seattle, we can succeed here for decades to come."



"We decided that if we had to sell the team, our first preference was to identify a local buyer who resides in the Northwest, and we were committed to taking a lower price if a local buyer came forward," continued Schultz. "Unfortunately, we searched for a local buyer, but were unsuccessful. However, we are pleased that the ownership of the Sonics and the Storm will transition to the Professional Basketball Club, which is a stellar management team, with a history of proven success."


"The Basketball Club of Seattle offers a sincere thank you to our players, our coaches and all of our front office employees for their hard work and dedication over the past five years," said Wally Walker, president and CEO of the Seattle Sonics & Storm. "We also want to thank Sonics and Storm fans and business partners for their passionate support. Our employees and basketball fans around the Northwest should remain very proud of the 40-year legacy of the Sonics and the success the Storm have experienced in their seven seasons. I'm committed to working with the new owners to keep our teams in Seattle and I'm excited about the energy they will bring to the organization."


Former Seattle Seahawks great Steve Largent, who is from Oklahoma originally and knows personally several members of the new ownership group commented, "They are well-respected and successful business professionals who are sports fans. I know they truly would like to keep the Sonics and the Storm in Seattle. On a personal note, I hope they are successful."

The Basketball Club of Seattle purchased the teams in April 2001 from The Ackerley Group. During the five years of BCOS ownership, the Sonics recorded a winning percentage of 51 percent, made two playoff appearances and won the 2005 Northwest Division title. The Storm have made three playoff appearances and won the 2004 WNBA Championship – the first major professional sports championship for Seattle since the Sonics won the 1979 NBA Championship.


In addition to achievements on the court, the teams remain active in the community. The Sonics & Storm Foundation and its players donate more than $1 million per year to the region's communities.

For more information please visit storm.wnba.com.


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I was in the team shop at halftime and heard on the radio there that they were having a press conference at 3 to announce this sale, and that it was buyers from Oklahoma City that got em. So that put a damper on things. I suppose the players already knew this, which might explain their lethargy today.

Ran into David Locke in the store after the game. He said OC has an arena and Seattle doesn't. He apologized for having to tell my friend and I that.

My friend just texted me and said he ran into people who watched the press conference live, and they said the Storm will stay in Seattle at least through 2010, when the Key contract runs out.

I can't think of another fan base that deserves less to lose their team. They Key is such an amazing arena to see a game. No offense to LA fans, but it really struck me when I started going to Staples. There's no place like the Key, and the community has really stood behind the Storm.

A sad day indeed if they move to OC.

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More high school team allegiances than can be believed
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He's the greatest of the greater
get it straight - he's great
- Run-DMC

[peaceplease]

i hope for the storm fans they somehow get to keep their team, but if by chance they should move to OK, that would be the 3rd team that is just out of reasonable driving distance for me.

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"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change your attitude; Don't Complain." -Maya Angelou


PEACE

[ap01]

i hoping they are being true and going to keep them in seattle. I don't want to see them leave

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I think you enjoy the game more if you don't know the rules. Anyway you're on the same wavelength as the referees.

[psheehy]

Press conference rhetoric from the new ownership sounded like...

We are guaranteeing (because it is in our contract) to keep the teams here for 12 months so keep buying tickets to your WNBA OK City Tornados ...uh...I mean WNBA Seattle Storm.

They are gone in 2-3 years.

[Mason_Eagle]

I am totally speechless,
I think the Sonics/Storm will stay in Seattle until 2010 and then they will pack up the moving vans and head to OC. I just wonder what Lauren and Sue and the rest of the players will do when that happens. Lauren especially has stated that she doesn't want to play anywhere but in Seattle. Will she leave the WNBA??

[jimmyk]

I have a feeling that Sue will go to New York since it's her hometown and LJ might be gone altogether. That, friends, is not good at all. Except, perhaps for Liberty fans.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[Keegan]

[toad455]

I would think that LJ would want to stay on the west coast. I doubt she'd join the Sparks, so either the Monarchs or even the Mercury.

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LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

[jimmyk]

LJ might consider going to Phoenix. Haven't a lot of the Brigade wished for that?

This might be their chance.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[shizanna]

[LakotaStorm]

LJ said the next city she would play in is NY, so Libs, you may end up with Sue and LJ, we would fly to NY to see them, but no way would I go to OK, My sisters had to live there awhile in these are their words, not mine "OK City is the armpit of the US"

I can't see them going to OK, I bet LJ is wishing she did not sign that 3 year contract. I just hope she gets to play here until the end of her contract.

[threefrom60]

Fuck the Sonics and their inability to properly address the arena issue with the public.

This might be a stretch, but I never realized my life would be directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. Get where I'm going with that?

What a terrible summer. My favorite band (Sleater-Kinney) breaks up and my basketball team leaves. I have tickets to the final SK show ever on August 11th... could it be that I see my final Storm game that same week? I know the paper says they'll stay for a bit, but...

Interesting conversation on the bench this afternoon. A fan held up a sign towards the end of the game that said "Oklahoma City... Not OK". A Storm staffer behind the bench pointed it out to LJ, who pointed it out to Wendy. Wendy seemed as if she hadn't heard yet, and was asking what was that about. Lauren told her, and Wendy asked "Will you play there?" and LJ gave an emphatic no. I don't blame her, or any of them.

Next season, assuming we have one, has taken on a whole new meaning. I've changed my tune on this season completely. I want everyone to rest. LJ can sit the rest of the season. Wendy doesn't need to rush back. Something is wrong with Sue's foot. She was limping by the end of the game. If it's anything like a stress fracture, then she should be sitting, too.

None of these girls deserves any more career long nagging injuries.

I can't talk anymore about this. They don't even know when/if they're leaving, and suddenly everyone is playing the Sue/LJ sweepstakes. I might have to take a vacation from this board for awhile. My heart is broken.

[DNA Fan]

[pilight]

[LakotaStorm]

[storm_stlkr]

[storm_stlkr]

[LakotaStorm]

[suemar]

Lib fans, give Blaze credit!!! Sue and LJ were in the hopper all along!!! Or is that the bean grinder????

Storm fans. I hope you keep your team there. Fill the seats as usual and switch your breakfast drink of choice.

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2009
3 old nags
Santa Anita
Breeders Cup

[hooper1]

Interesting development given the recent discussion in another topic about the viability of women's basketball and how a group/franchise is only successful if it makes someone rich.

Apparently Schultz wasn't getting rich enough off the Sonics/Storm. Can you blame him for selling? He's a businessperson. He's in it for the money. It's sort of silly to expect much more from him.

[Sass]

Northwest Cable News is reporting that Paul Allen has put the Blazers and the Rose Garden up for sale.

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More high school team allegiances than can be believed
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He's the greatest of the greater
get it straight - he's great
- Run-DMC

[Sass]

[suemar]

Interesting contrast here. I just called my voice mail as Im working out of town. I had attended a game in Sacramento while on vacation. I had a real live voice mail from the Monarchs(not a recording) asking how my game experience was and how could they help get me to another game.

Nice touch from the Monarchs considering I had only bought 2 single tickets. Id like to think the ownership of that franchise had something do to with the marketing customer service. At least the Monarchs have good ownership. I love Shelia Johnson with the Styx also but the Monarchs do the best job towards their fans I believe. Lets only hope the new owners do the right thing by the fans.

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2009
3 old nags
Santa Anita
Breeders Cup

[jimmyk]

Yeah, but he's part of the reason the Storm might be moving out of town and screwing all the good fans of both teams, so that's a good enough reason for me.

Not that it matters. I drink Minute Maid orange juice in the mornings most of the time anyway.

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http://twitter.com/jimmyk97

[bullsky]

[scullyfu]

[scullyfu]

when i went into the game tonight, i was signaled over to talk to one of the key employees. he told me at that time the teams had been sold and they wouldn't move until 2007 because of the new orleans sting commitment through 2007.

as i was leaving the key, i asked one of the local reporters just what the deal was. he told me that they had been sold, BUT they could stay if the city would agree to build a new arena. yeah, fat chance. any way, i was interviewed for the local news. i told them i didn't care if the sonics left, but leave the storm in seattle. i also mentioned that the women weren't earning $2millions to sit on the bench, but played their hearts out every night for peanuts. they are blue collar and that's one of the reasons we connect with them.

i was going to go to starbucks after the game, but went to the local watering hole instead. i got to thinking about the trickle down effect. our local bar of choice for pre-game drinks is going to be really hurt by the sonics and storm leaving. that's more jobs out of our area.

i feel sick.

[hooper1]

[FeFi]

Frankly, I really don't see a viable market for any WNBA team in Oklahoma, bottom line. That city wasn't even on the radar for expansion and I don't think a W team could survive in that market. Despite a decent turnout in Norman for Sherri and Co. at the college level, I think it's a weak state and city for the type of fanbase necessary to keep a W franchise going. I would not be surprised if they either fold the Storm or peel it off and sell it down the line to a non-WNBA ownership group. Either way, I think it could suck royally if all of the "ifs" we're discussing come to fruition. LJ and Bird not in a Storm uniform? Blaspehme! And I'm saying this as someone who wants a damn WNBA team nearby, but not my beloved Storm!

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Softest bullet ever shot

[DNA Fan]

[scullyfu]