Seattle: Martyrs No More

Oh how the wounded righteous have fallen into sin.

Since the year of our Lord 2008 the citizens of Seattle have called my home town and the people who live here, myself included, every vile name that they can think of. It all began when OKC local Clay Bennett bought the Seattle Super Sonics NBA franchise. It was, an admittedly, cold blooded transaction perpetrated by Bennett, some local oilies and a banker or two. However, complicit in the deal was Sonics owner and coffee store magnate, Howard Schultz. By the first few years of this new century he was watching his main source of cash begin to shrink as his Starbucks stores reached a saturation point that was unsustainable. The chain was going to have to downsize. There were other factors at play. The team was playing in an aged arena and he was dealing with a populace who, despite all the howls and whining afterward, had repeatedly refused to underwrite a new venue for the basketball team. Given the circumstances Schultz bit on Bennett's offer to buy him out, made some vague noises about being shocked the team would move, but no doubt cashed the check without a second thought, or regret.

Bennett made a show of keeping the outfit in Seattle, but it was common knowledge it was all a sham. In short order he moved the franchise to Oklahoma City where he renamed it the Thunder. He switched names for one reason and one reason only. In case Seattle ever landed another franchise they could reclaim the nickname and the team colors.

The outrage in the Pacific Northwest was monumental and unceasing. Martyrdom became a suit that fit the people of Seattle well. They were the wronged, they were the victims. Last year they also finally decided to build a new arena.

Now there are reports that another city is on the verge of losing it's NBA team. That would be Sacramento, home of the Kings. FOX Sports is saying that a group of business people headed by San Francisco investor, Chris Hansen is in negotiations with the Maloof family, the current owners of the franchise. One of the issues facing the present ownership is, you guessed it, their team plays in an aging arena and the local government and population is reluctant to build a new one. Sacramento mayor and former NBA player, Kevin Johnson is pleading with NBA commissioner David Stern to give his city time to put together a plan to keep the team. If that plan fails and the Maloofs do sell out the next destination for the pride of Sacramento is Seattle, Washington.

So long Kings, welcome back the green and gold clad Super Sonics.

It would seem it is only stealing if someone else does it.

The fact is a professional sports franchise, in any league, is a mercenary operation. They can claim all day and night that they a part of the community, but if the old profit margin starts to shrink wave goodbye to your local heroes.

It may not be right, but it is the way it is. Ever wonder why Los Angeles has a team nicknamed The Lakers? Well they started out in Minneapolis where that moniker makes a bit more sense. The soon to be extinct Kings started out in Cincinnati as the Royals, then moved to Kansas City before landing out west. The Utah Jazz is the Jazz because its original home, New Orleans likes its jazz cool on humid nights. The New Orleans Hornets started out in Charlotte.

Don't even get me started on the rest of the NBA, major league baseball, and the NFL. The list of relocated teams is far too long to be posted here. The NFL Rams alone have made more stops in major American cities than many presidential candidates on the stump do.

No, it is all a for profit business and as with any for profit enterprise if the owners can improve the bottom line they are going to do it. Screw the guy who owns the sports bar down the street from the arena, we're moving.

Welcome back to the league, Seattle. I really am glad that it looks like you're going to land a team. Just keep throwing those dead fish across that market, because now you know you can't throw any more stones.

Besides, that whole hanging on the cross thing wasn't a good look for you.

sic vita est


11-15-13