The Sonics/ Should They Stay or Go Back To Oklahoma

[A9]

it is about increasing the number of and luxury of the suites/owners boxes. Don't kid yourself for moment that they are going to sacrifice the number of seats in the name of ticketholder comfort. Bigger arena, more seats.

Yep you got it Eastside. I forgot to mention that. The luxury suites and owners boxes make the money in arenas, and the Key doesn't have many, and they are not that nice.

[crappie007]

I'm a fan of basketball, but I say let em' leave, why should
Washington tax-payers' foot the bill for a orginization that
makes millions! When it comes down to it I'd rather feed my
family then pay for a new arena I might never use...

[michaelunbewust]

then dont rent a car, or a motel, and you will not have to pay a dime of your hard earned taxes. the small picture thinking of this thread amazes me. i know everyone on the website are good guys, like yourself eastside. but, lets look at the big picture. the sonics leave, what is lost:
1. an nba franchise (which nobody denies, is a economic attraction re:hotels resturaunts, transportation,shopping)
2. loss of an outlet fro at-risk youth. the sonics have long donated tickets and other marketing deals to the poor (player appearances, toy shopping sprees at x-mas)
3. the history (i was 12 when the sonics won it all, as, the only seattle team to bring a championship)
4. outlets for expense accounts (how many sales reps/ business owners will give tickets to the opera for thier best customers/employees).
5. JOBS (hundreds of jobs lost in the mercer street corridor, which is booming just down the street)
6. pride ( do we want to be the next cleveland browns, who thru in the towel, only to come crying back later)
7. advertising ( that kind of advertising is priceless. try telling microsoft or cocacola that the next best advertising is billboards, with no national t.v. spotlighting)

these are just a few. when i lived in spokane, we vacationed in seattle and gladly paid the discount hotle/motel prices, shopping, eating out, as a , way to pay are part for the new stadiums. to me and my family, our sports teams are a big part of our entertainment on a yearly basis, plus, i take alot of kids i dont even know for friends that are in the bid brother/big sister program. seeing those kids eyes light-up when kobe bryant or shaq walks by them to the floor is something you cannot put a price on. clay bennet is a jerk, and approached us fans and the city of seattle in the wrong fashion, but we need to stay focused on the big picture, and not resort to bickering amongst ourselves. also, i do not know the arenas that were visited, but ive been to houston, dallas, pheonix, and others, paying for seats in the lower bowl, and had room to stretch if need be.again, if you were a business owner, wouldnt you want the kind of suites that generate the most revenue, plus, another write-off for my boss to treat us all to a game. again, these are only my opinion.

[crappie007]

I'm not being narrow minded, I just believe that the sonics orginization,
with all those high payed players and merchandise revenue can afford Washington state somthing more than (build a new arena or will leave). The approach was all
wrong, reaching my ears as an ultimatum, which totally turned me off to the Idea
of a new arena. Doesnt anyone ask nicely anymore?

[EastsideRedneck]

All good points there Michael. There is a more viable option than replacing the Sonics with another NBA franchise... the NHL. Key Arena could easily be used for ice hockey and keep those dollars from being spent up north in Vancouver.

Our focus may be narrow, but it is indicative of the big picture in Seattle these days. We have so many issues that have gone far too long without action that are going to, or already have reached critical mass. The projects and remedies are not going to pay for themselves and both sides of the party line know and understand this. Small taxes here and there add up big time and do have an impact. For once I think the people have actually thought this one out, set their priorities straight, and decided where they want to put their hard earned dollars.

The social impact of losing a sports team is minimal in my eyes. At-risk youth would be better served aspiring to be gainfully employed than fantasizing about being a pro-athlete. There are plenty of organizations around that will easily fill the holiday void for them as well.

[crappie007]

Michaelunbewust---I admit my answer was shallow, It was out of anger.
I dont respect ultimatums, I do respect facts and figures so I'm able
to make a intelligent decision. I'm aware of most of facts you stated IE:
Hotels,resteraunts,shopping--History--Jobs--(at risk youth programs- very important)--advertising--Having a Hero to look up to. What about figures?
Does anyone have the figures--The cost of a new arena---versus--positive
cash flow generated back into the state and local communities. How would
we pay for a new arena?, at the pump, higher property taxes?

[iPodrodder]

Michaelunbewust---I admit my answer was shallow, It was out of anger.
I dont respect ultimatums, I do respect facts and figures so I'm able
to make a intelligent decision. I'm aware of most of facts you stated IE:
Hotels,resteraunts,shopping--History--Jobs--(at risk youth programs- very important)--advertising--Having a Hero to look up to. What about figures?
Does anyone have the figures--The cost of a new arena---versus--positive
cash flow generated back into the state and local communities. How would
we pay for a new arena?, at the pump, higher property taxes?

He's said about three or four times now that it is all from motels, a small part of Seatac, and rental car agencys.

[crappie007]

Ipodrodder----I'm talking about actual numbers!
Its easy to state tax monies will come from this motel
or that car agency(But exactley how much?),I dont know how much and a venture this big gives me a feeling there would be more taxation elsewhere other than motels, car rentals and a little part of a airport. maybe thats enough information for you, but its not for me. WE are talking about a massive construction re-build and I'm sure it will cost millions. Somthing else that intrests me is Projected cost to build a new arena and projected positve cash flow going back into Washington state and local communities. Considering WA. tax payers foot the bill. It then becomes a business decision that involves all of us. If no-one has heard of any of those projections, thats fine. I will just wait and see what the state and sonics hammer out if anything at all.