Which of these teams would you'd have be the new Sonics?

[mwyatt19]

We actually could get the hornets if Louisiana doesnt pay the saints and hornets $27.5 million by july 1st they will probably lose both teams and as of nowthey are sayin they cant pay it they only have 3 million so far to pay each team they need 23.5 million for the saints and 7 million for the hornets so now wejust need seattle to get its act together lol

 

[richierich781]

if the rumor of steve nash going to toronto, then i pick the raptors

 

[DsLee]

Originally Posted by mwyatt19

We actually could get the hornets if Louisiana doesnt pay the saints and hornets $27.5 million by july 1st they will probably lose both teams and as of now they are sayin they cant pay it they only have 3 million so far to pay each team they need 23.5 million for the saints and 7 million for the hornets so now we just need seattle to get its act together lol

Hold on, why is this??? Right now I would want ANY team to come to Seattle, but the Hornets would be dope... CP in green/gold and the return of SeattleJordan PEs.

 

[exileue]

Originally Posted by DsLee559

Originally Posted by mwyatt19

We actually could get the hornets if Louisiana doesnt pay the saints and hornets $27.5 million by july 1st they will probably lose both teams and as of now they are sayin they cant pay it they only have 3 million so far to pay each team they need 23.5 million for the saints and 7 million for the hornets so now we just need seattle to get its act together lol

Hold on, why is this??? Right now I would want ANY team to come to Seattle, but the Hornets would be dope... CP in green/gold and the return of Seattle Jordan PEs.

from espn

BATON ROUGE, La. -- An executive with the group that oversees the Louisiana Superdome and the New Orleans Arena advised lawmakers Tuesday the state must find $27.5 million next year to fulfill contracts that keep the Saints and Hornets in New Orleans.


The state pays the two pro teams direct cash payments each year to retain the clubs, subsidies the team owners have said are needed to make operating in the relatively small New Orleans market worthwhile.


The money comes from the budget of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, or LSED, which operates the stadium and the arena where the NFL and NBA teams play respectively.


Doug Thornton, senior vice president of SMG -- the company that manages the Superdome and the Arena -- said the LSED won't bring in nearly enough for the fiscal year starting July 1 to cover the expected payments.


"We have revenues that are not sufficient to cover the debts," Thornton told members of the state's House Appropriations Committee.


If the state doesn't make the payments to the teams, he noted, the Saints and Hornets could leave New Orleans without a penalty.


But Thornton said the troubled economy would make it difficult for a team to move, and both the Saints and Hornets have expressed a commitment to New Orleans.


"We hope that an eventual solution will address both the short- and long-term challenges that face the Saints and the state," said Greg Bensel, a spokesman for the Saints.


Hugh Weber, the Hornets team president, said, "We consider ourselves a partner of the state ... we're a revenue-producing business that provides jobs and opportunities for Louisiana. We are working with state officials to continue serving as an asset for the region."


The payment problem has recurred ever since a deal was negotiated with the Saints in 2001 and the Hornets came from Charlotte, N.C., in 2002. Over the years, the state tapped surplus cash, refinanced Superdome debt and borrowed from a development fund to help make the payments.


Both deals were negotiated under then-Gov. Mike Foster. The state's 10-year deal with the Saints is the largest of the two and runs through the 2010 season, guaranteeing the NFL team $186.5 million in payments.


The state now owes the Saints some $23.5 million annually -- atop the NFL team's earnings from ticket sales, concessions, parking and other items.


The Hornets deal doesn't include flat payments but involves payments based on performance and team income. The state is estimated to need $7 million to pay the Hornets next year.


Currently, the LSED has about $3 million in revenue to cover the direct cash payments -- or $27.5 million less than what's needed to pay both teams, Thornton said. He suggested the state could shuffling existing tax dollars or raising new taxes to meet the payments.


That leaves Gov. Bobby Jindal, who opposes tax increases, to struggle with state lawmakers on ways to fill the gap. The state is facing a total budget shortfall forecast to top $1.2 billion in the fiscal year starting July 1.


Jindal said he intends for the teams to stay but added, "It's too early for the state to know what we can and cannot afford for the next fiscal year."


State lawmakers questioned whether the state should continue pumping money into direct cash payments and asked Thornton for other ideas.


"I know it's important, but can we afford it?" said Rep. Tom McVea, R-Jackson.


Meanwhile, Jindal's administration is in talks with the Saints seeking a new contract to keep the team in Louisiana past 2010.


Thornton said the state hopes to renegotiate with the Saints before April 1, the deadline for NFL teams to apply for the 2013 Super Bowl. A long-term deal between both is needed to be in contention for future Super Bowls.


In a new deal, Thornton said, the state hopes to "rebalance the risk" by moving away from cash subsidies. Instead, he suggested the state could make improvements to the Superdome like more seats and concession areas to boost Saints earnings from ticket, food and drink sales. But lawmakers question where upgrade money would be found.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3898122

 

[thenewone]

sacramento is off the block. mallof's said they weren't selling or moving.

 

[emmanuelabor]

*whoops...wrong article*

"......

House Finance Committee Chairman Ross Hunter, D-Medina, said Thursday he is working with House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, on a plan for stadium fundingthat everyone can work with, but wasn't willing to disclose any details.

But should the process move forward, the same potential ownership group that came forth last spring says it remains interested.

Matt Griffin, a Seattle developer and an investor in the group headed by Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer, confirmed this week that the potentialownership/arena funding group remains committed despite the economic downturn. But the parties are keeping their distance from any lobbying efforts at thestate level and are just letting the legislative session play out, Griffin said.

"I don't see any changes in our plans because of the economics, because of our crazy economy," Griffin said. "We're waiting to see ifthe next steps happen with the city."

Ballmer's group has already agreed to pay $150 million toward a $300 million renovation of KeyArena that NBA commissioner David Stern said last summerwould satisfy the league.

One upside of the economic situation could be getting a team at a reduced price should the process move forward. A number of teams have reported financialdifficulties and purchasing one might cost significantly less than the $350 million Bennett paid in 2006 to buy the SuperSonics/Thunder.

---

Associated Press Writer Donna Blankinship in Olympia, Wash. contributed to this report."

I heard them talking about this on 950 today. dude sounded optimistic because it looks like Chopp, who was a major roadblock, is now looking at a way to makesomething move foraward on this.

*shrugs*

 

[206knight]

Is anyone else happy starbucks stock aint worth jack now? I know I am.

 

[mkpconway]

Gotta run with Grizzles as well. I don't even care at this point I just want a team in Seattle.

 

[air justinxi]

I would say Memphis its a good looking core to build from. but Kevin Durant Jeff Green and Westbrook are straight nasty, and theyll only get better so i guessOKC is my first choice

 

[franchise206]

i swear... i die a little inside every time i hear durant put up all-star caliber numbers the night before. those flashes of what's (possibly) to come makeme want to burn down every damn starbucks i pass... starting with the one on the Ave.....

 

[exileue]

Originally Posted by FRANChISe206

i swear... i die a little inside every time i hear durant put up all-star caliber numbers the night before.

me too. all star weekend wasn't good for me

 

[flipnitik]

i just want a team man. thats all.