I know I just mentioned how the NBA cares about Public Relations in my last post, but I guess I was wrong. Either that or I wasn’t paying enough attention. Case in point: the Seattle Supersonics.
This is a team in a medium-size media market with a great 41-
year history. It also now features a franchise player in Kevin Durant. Like I talked about in my last post, he is a LeBron-style player – young, image conscious and very talented.
The only problem is they play in a 15-year-old arena without the optimum number of luxury suites. While this is a disadvantage to the owners to a point, it is hardly enough reason to move a franchise. The Sonics have a great fanbase (as evidenced by this Bill Simmons column) and solid attendance when the team is competitive.
But they have a new owner in Clay Bennett who is hell bent on moving the team to Oklahoma City, where he is from. This would be fine if he were attempting to rescue a team without a great fanbase or that is struggling to draw fans. Remember, only two year ago, Oklahoma City sold out the arena regularly as the fill-in city for the New Orleans Hornets.
But Bennett clearly picked the wrong team and the NBA is dealing with his PR mistakes again and again. Now, since Bennett didn’t even try to hide his interest and eagerness in moving the club, the city hates the team even as it fights to keep it.
And some criticism must go to David Stern. For as much good as he’s done in other facets of the game, he has hurt the NBA in this situation. Likely because he is a friend of Bennett, Stern hasn’t jumped up in support of Seattle. In fact, he let the sale of the team to Bennett happen just a year ago. Even though anyone and everyone knew that Bennett wanted to move whatever franchise he bought to Oklahoma City.
Shame on you, David Stern. Couldn’t you have used your power to at least find a team in worst shape, with less history, than the Sonics?
