If the above heading scared Sally Kern into fearing the impending rapture, running into the closet, and finding her son, that’s great news. What I am really referring to, however, is the impending verdict of the City of Seattle v. Professional Basketball Club of Oklahoma which is due at 6:00 CST today.
What rides on the ruling of Justice Marsha Pechman is not exactly of great significance to the people of Oklahoma. Should she rule in favor of the PBC, there is a chance that the Sonics could relocate to our fair state in time for the 2008/2009 NBA season. (More likely, the City of Seattle files an appeal delaying the move long enough that the team is stuck another season in Washington.) If Pechman favors the City of Seattle, the Sonics will probably be stuck as many as two more seasons on the West Coast until the lease runs out and Clay Bennett moons the Seattle City Council from the back of a moving van.
Either way, it is hardly a day of infamy. But, in order to beat The Oklahoman to covering the ruling, we offer our analysis of the verdict after the jump.
If the Sonics win the case: Woo hoo!!!!!
If the City of Seattle wins the case: Booooooooo!
————————–
Update: According to NewsOK.com (I know, I’m as surprised as you), and now a brief statement by Judge Pechman, a settlement has been reached allowing the Sonics to buyout of the lease. No details have been released yet, but it’s safe to assume that the team is now free to leave Seattle and that the team will probably be called something other than the “Supersonics” when they reach OKC.
There is one more possible hurdle as the former owner of the team, Howard Schultz, has sued to rescind the sale from two years ago. It was a longshot to begin with, and rumor is that the possibility of that going to trial hinged on Seattle winning the lawsuit that was just settled two hours prior to the conclusion. Even should Schultz prevail on this longshot, the team already has a lease with OKC that could probably force Shultz to move the team anyway.
Can we just get the Hornets back?
The only way this could get more tense is if the press conferences they’re planning at 5 is an announcement that the team’s future will be contingent on a Mixed martial arts match between balmer and bennett in a fire pit.
and that….would….be….AWESOME!!!
Rumor is there is a settlement being worked out before the judges decision . Looks like one of the sides found out they where going to lose and wanted to squeeze as much out of it as possible.
It’s on NewsOK, pals.
Darnell Mayberry rulez
Too bad Mr. Monday is worthless
“And the Editor who puts it in there is garbage…”
And nothing on the Oklahoman’s Thursday morning front page layout? The biggest sports coup in Oklahoma history and, low and behold below the fold…DOG SEX LADY. That’s Classy with a capital ASSY!!!!
You would think Clay Bennett would have SOME pull there!
i think the name of the new team should be the okc ogles