Top > Sport > 2006 > October > 2006-10-26

SuperSonics sold, team to stay in Seattle

The sale of the Seattle SuperSonics NBA franchise was approved unanimously by NBA owners on Tuesday. Seattle`s WNBA team - the Storm - was also included in the deal. The new owners said their preference is to keep the team in Seattle, but this will most likely be determined based on whether they get a new building. The lease on KeyArena was said by Commissioner David Stern to be the worst in the league.

Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett heads the purchasing group. The owner since 2001, Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz, is said to have sold it for $350 million. Speculation that the team would be moved to Oklahoma City abounds. The building issue need be resolved either way before such a decision is made, according to the new owners. "Our interest is in that marketplace and that economic model," Bennett said.

Stern has in the past criticized the lack of support from Washington lawmakers in fixing the building issue. Back in February, he said Seattle was "not interested in having the NBA there." With the new agreement, Stern has taken a more optimistic stand with regard to the potential of the Sonics having a long-term future in Seattle.