The franchise that brought you the dynamic NBA Jam trio of Kemp, Payton, and Shrempf will no longer reside in the Emerald City.  A lawsuit brought by the city against Sonics owner Clay Bennett claiming that a lease on the arena should keep the team in Seattle for at least two more years, was settled, much to the shagrin of Sonics fans.  Just hours before the judge was about to make a determination as to whether or not the Sonics must stay in Seattle until 2010, the city’s Mayor gave up. 

The stipulations include a $45 million settlement and the retention of the team’s colors, name, and consequently tradition.  In addition, the city could get as much as $75 million if there is not an NBA franchise in the city in five years. I dont know about you, but I think that tradition doesn’t mean all that much when YOU DON’T HAVE A TEAM!! Bennett is widely looked at as a villain, and the mayor, Greg Nickels is considered a BAFOON. Not to mention Commissioner David Stern’s full-scale support of Bennett further proving that the NBA doesnt have a hoot about its fans…its all about the bottom line.  One would think after the Donaghy  debacle and subsequent game fixing scam, Stern would be a little bit more cognizant of the folks that make his league what it is today…

Well that’s my two cents!