SUPERSONICS OWNERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MOVE TEAM TO OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY - The owners of the SuperSonics have submitted to Oklahoma City Council a letter of intent to relocate the professional basketball team from Seattle so they can begin negotiations on arena and practice facility use. The letter, signed by Clay Bennett of Professional Basketball Club LLC which owns the team, sets forth four main topics for agreement: arena upgrades and construction of a new practice facility; food and beverage services at the arena; the arena use license; and the practice facility lease. The issue was put on the agenda for consideration at the City Council's next regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning. Although officials would not discuss the item ahead of the meeting, the proposal is expected to be accepted; Mayor Mick Cornett has been the lead proponent of the "Big League City" campaign to pass a sales tax to fund the upgrades, and none of the eight city council members have voiced strong opposition to the matter.