chris98251
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If the millionaire tax happens thats huge for us as far as owners, free agents, and new stadium in the future.
Bears relocating to Indiana?
- Thread starter Mistashoesta
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No offense toward anyone who is concerned, but I don't understand why people are equating the Seahawks situation with what happened to the Sonics. That last year NO ONE was going to Sonics games, yet screamed "foul" when they left the city. I lived a few blocks from where they played, and you could walk in any bar in South Queen Anne and someone had free tickets.
chris98251
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Bennett also said they were going to move them and several other things to alienate the fan base much like Behring did, also Nichols had insulted everyone by what he was doing. Not a matter of fan support, a matter of Bennett support.
Slade Gordon tried to save them but with such a short window and I can't remember exactly what violated some statute trying to push thru things much like we did with the Seahawks.
Yes, I completely understand that Bennett was a liar. But we didn't support the team - changing owners and leaving them in Seattle wasn't going to fix that problem, unless our NBA fans were bandwagon fans and Gordon had a plan for turning the team into winners immediately (as Bennett did in OKC).
chris98251
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It was complex, Schultz sold to Bennett who said he was moving them, no if ends or buts, nobody wanted to put money in Schultz's pocket or Bennetts. I wasn't a matter of suppporting the team by then.
Glasgow Seahawk
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Why is it always the poorer owners that have to build stadiums miles from the city with the name. 49ers, Bears, Raiders, Cowboys. If you can't afford to build a stadium in your cities market sell to someone that can.
Chicago should not be hard to build a stadium in. It's the 3rd biggest market and unlike places like LA and SF the land prices wont be as high.
Chicago should not be hard to build a stadium in. It's the 3rd biggest market and unlike places like LA and SF the land prices wont be as high.
I've only lived in this area for twenty years, but I've been hearing whining that entire time, from natives who said their team got stolen. If you don't go to the games, the team's going to have to be moved somewhere where there is fan support. The sale might have been complex, but the fact that Sonics fans weren't 'fan' enough to buy tickets was pretty simple.
Not saying Seattle wouldn't support an NBA team today, but they were in a downward free fall when I arrived in 2006 (23rd), 2007 (25th), 2008 (28th).
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chris98251
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Once he alienated the fans with the move nobody wanted to support him, even at that I remember a playoff push and fans went at the end. Sonics ALWAYS had fan support, it was never the fans, EVER. it was about Key Arena and the politicians not wanting to support it's remodel, after all we had just voted to have a Baseball Field and Football Field, NBA wanted around 25,000 to 40,000 seat arena, also was the argument for a Hockey team and sharing it which was going round and round. It was never the fans.
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I think I remember Bennett cut player salary heavily during those years so of course fans were unhappy with the product.
There is also tape of David Stern visiting and praising Key Arena in 1995 after the previous renovation and then 10 years later he's going to play hardball? Screw that guy.
IndyHawk
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What's the new name of this team going to be that doesn't exist?
It may never happen the way the NBA is going, all-time lows of
viewership ect.
China should just buy the whole thing and move it all over to their
country, why not? They are keeping it all afloat pretty much now.
It may never happen the way the NBA is going, all-time lows of
viewership ect.
China should just buy the whole thing and move it all over to their
country, why not? They are keeping it all afloat pretty much now.
Basically a fan walk-out because they were angry with the product. So somehow they came to an understood agreement that if they reduced their attendance by a little more each year, that Bennett would eventually come to his senses. Instead, Bennett elected to go somewhere else and revive his investment. Hmmmm.
Losing the Sonics would have never happened during the Kemp/Payton Era of the mid 90’s. Those teams were SPECIAL. I went to many games in Key Arena and the place was always packed. After Durant, the product spiraled hella quick and we all know the rest.
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I don't know about you guys, but I haven't watched a single NBA game since the Sonics left Seattle.
chris98251
Well-known member
No do not change the Narrative. They contrived the situation to make their agenda work.
I never liked key arena and no parking anywhere close, it's kinda like when the hawks played at husky stadium I wasn't gonna sit there and be comfortable so was totally thrilled when SEAHAWKS stadium was built which is what it was originally called
I liked the klink name better than lumen Still can't believe that Seattle politicians were being jerks about it
I'm not a basketball fan but they were the only team I would watch and if it weren't for Jordan they'd have had a ring here in this city and I think that could've helped change folks minds about giving them something but moving any team stings, I know I was pissed and to this day hate the hell out of and will not buy anything starbucks
They can suck a DDDD
I liked the klink name better than lumen Still can't believe that Seattle politicians were being jerks about it
I'm not a basketball fan but they were the only team I would watch and if it weren't for Jordan they'd have had a ring here in this city and I think that could've helped change folks minds about giving them something but moving any team stings, I know I was pissed and to this day hate the hell out of and will not buy anything starbucks
They can suck a DDDD
Back in 1996, I was on a bus trip around various Seattle sites, and as the bus got closer to the area near where the Bainbridge Island ferry operates from, the traffic was at a crawl.
The driver said it was the Sonics crowd (first [home] game of the season, IIRC), so I got out and walked, which was far quicker.
toffee
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Good for the city and people of Chicago, no reason to enrich multi-billionaires with more billions.
rcaido
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This was the percentage attendance rank before being stolen.
2004 10th 37W-45L
2005 7th 52W -30L Only playoff appearance
2006 9th 35W-47L
2007 12th 31W - 52L
2008 20th 20W 62L
Historically percentage wise, the Sonics has always been supported but the arena was a total pain and limited to seating. They did everything possible to alienate the fanbase. Players were told not to promote the team. Traded players. There was nothing left but trying to lose and get the best lottery pick. I was at the very last game vs the Mavericks. The best sporting event i ever been in my life. We were loud and was sold out. Chanting Save our Sonics throughout. We even won. Its Bittersweet now, never thought we would lose the Sonics and that was the final game.
I haven't watch or hardly kept up with the NBA since they were stolen. Sometimes i hear about them coming back and i guess there are rumblings again for them coming back. I try not to get excited anymore.
I get it. Fans were upset and weren't going to show up to games again until the product was improved. The problem with that argument is that basketball was being played, and it was your team. A lot of fans for a lot of teams have stayed loyal through thick and thin. Sonics fans did not, so the team left.
chris98251
Well-known member
Again the fans were loyal, the owners and Politicians were not to the fans. If you were not here you can not know, so quit making judgements about the fans here. You are speaking of things that is just showing your non educated opinion on the matter.
