The last remaining chance of rekindling the Seattle SuperSonics as they were in 2007-2008 just closed, with former owner Harold Schultz on Friday dropping his lawsuit against Clay Bennett and the Professional Basketball Club, according to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
In a letter to his partners, Schultz said two recent rulings by District Judge Marsha Pechman made his case more difficult, and as a result, "our legal team and I no longer believe we can be successful with this litigation."
Schultz was trying to unwind the sale of the team to the Professional Basketball Club, who in turn moved the team away from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Schultz claims he was misled, and that Bennett's group were never serious about keeping the team in Seattle.
"We are pleased to now be able to move on," Bennett said in a statement. "We look forward to an exciting future of NBA basketball in Oklahoma City."
Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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Aug 30, 2008 10:15 AM EST
The first three moving trucks arrived in downtown Oklahoma City on Friday to begin moving the Seattle franchise to it's new location, according to Associated Press.
The move from Seattle to Oklahoma City will involve about 60 truckloads and is expected to be done by the end of September.
The team has set up its offices at the Leadership Square office building. They're working on filling the 25,000 square feet of space with the items that were in a similar-sized office in Seattle.
"It really is taking that area that we had in the Northwest and trying to make sure it fits here in this space, and so far it's been a pretty good fit," said Vice President of Guest Relations Pete Winemillert. "It's been a little bit of a puzzle, but it's all worked out very nicely."
Via ESPN
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The city of Seattle spent $2.9 million in their fight to keep the Sonics in town, but they ended up coming out on top in the end, according to Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
They paid $2.3 million in attorney's fees, $61,296 for a witness, and $17,000 to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. However, in the end, the city came out ahead financially in its lawsuit against the Oklahoma-based ownership group led by Clay Bennett.
The costs will be absorbed by the settlement agreement that required Bennett's group to pay $45 million in exchange for the right to move the NBA team immediately to Oklahoma City rather than remain in Seattle through the 2009-10 season.
Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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OKC Aug 2008 Archive
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Press Release | Aug 27, 2008
The Oklahoma City NBA franchise signed free agent guard Kyle Weaver to a multi-year contract it was announced today by the team’s General Manager Sam Presti.
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Press Release | Aug 27, 2008
Oklahoma City’s new NBA team will announce its name and unveil its look next week.
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SonicsCentral.com | Aug 27, 2008
Brian Robinson, who runs SonicsCentral.com, notified RealGM on Wednesday evening that he is not being sued by Clay Bennett as previously reported, but he was subpoenaed.
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Oklahoman | Aug 27, 2008
Former All-NBA guard Mark Price could end up playing a role with Oklahoma City's new franchise.
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Seattle PI | Aug 27, 2008
Nick Collison grew up in Iowa but found a home living in Seattle while playing for the Sonics.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 26, 2008
Oklahoma City General manager Sam Presti made several additions to his front office on Tuesday.
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Aug 21, 2008
Judge Marsha Pechman has ruled against Harold Schultz on his request to "bifurcate" or split his lawsuit against Clay Bennett's ownership group into two parts.
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Seattle Times | Aug 20, 2008
As part of the agreement for the team formerly known as the SuperSonics to move to Oklahoma City, all trophies and banners will stay in Seattle.
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Press Release | Aug 20, 2008
The Oklahoma City NBA franchise announced today that the team has waived forward Donyell Marshall.
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Seattle Times | Aug 20, 2008
The settlement which Oklahoma City team owner Clay Bennett announced was being negotiated with the City of Seattle has now been reached, allowing the team to officially move.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 19, 2008
The new colors, nickname, and logo of the Oklahoma City franchise is expected to come before the end of the month.
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Oklahoman | Aug 18, 2008
The official unveiling of the name, colors, and logos of the Oklahoma City franchise expected before the end of the month.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 15, 2008
Desmond Mason was happy to hear that the Bucks had traded him to Oklahoma City earlier this week.
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Aug 15, 2008
The trial between former SuperSonics' owner Howard Schultz and Clay Bennett and his professional basketball club is scheduled to be heard on June 15, 2009.
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ESPN | Aug 14, 2008
To see Oklahoma City play, it is going to cost you more than it did to see the same team play in Seattle.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 14, 2008
Desmond Mason, who played in Oklahoma City as a member of the Hornets two seasons ago, will become a free agent next summer.
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The Seattle Times | Aug 13, 2008
Blazers coach Nate McMillan doesn't want to see his #10 jersey, retired by the Sonics in Seattle, rehung in Oklahoma City.
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Briant Windhorst/Beacon-Journal | Aug 13, 2008
The Cavaliers have improved their point guard position with the acquisition of Mo Williams in a three-way deal also involving Oklahoma City.
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The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel | Aug 13, 2008
Mo Williams could be headed to Cleveland as part of a three-way deal with the Bucks receiving Luke Ridnour from Oklahoma City.
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Press Release | Aug 11, 2008
The Oklahoma City NBA franchise acquired guard Kyle Weaver in a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats, it was announced today by the team’s General Manager Sam Presti.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 11, 2008
Oklahoma City General Manager Sam Presti doesn't believe that the NBA should be worried about the trend of players jumping overseas just yet.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 11, 2008
Oklahoma City second round pick DeVon Hardin is expected to sign with a team in Turkey.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 7, 2008
More hints that the Oklahoma City franchise will be nicknamed the 'Thunder' emerged on Wednesday, when the league released the 2008-09 schedule.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 6, 2008
The NBA will release the upcoming NBA schedule today.
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Oklahoman | Aug 5, 2008
Serge Ibaka, the No. 24 overall pick in this year's draft, has signed a three-year contract with a professional team in Spain.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 4, 2008
Oklahoma City General Manager Sam Presti reportedly could consider trading Luke Ridnour, Donyell Marshall, and Chris Wilcox this summer.
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The Oklahoman | Aug 4, 2008
Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti has been in constant discussions with the representatives of former lottery pick Robert Swift, whose time in the NBA has been marred by injury.
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ESPN | Aug 2, 2008
NBA Commissioner David Stern fired back against accusations from former SuperSonics' owner Howard Schultz on Friday, claiming that he never made threatening remarks to the executive.
