Crizilla":213bzf85 said:
As I've posted before, Stern wasn't the sole reason Sonic's left. He made a business decision that at the time benefited the NBA. The city of Seattle is to blame. No doubt about it. A new arena wasn't on their agenda. They were pushed and pushed to finally accept a new keyarena + hockey team a decade later to shut everyone up (gee thanks should have made a deal at the time!). People of Seattle got brainwashed into thinking it was all the NBA 's fault. Stern and the new owner would have loved a brand new arena in Seattle but didn't happen.
With all due respect, I disagree. Stern was butthurt that the Seattle politicians didn’t kiss his arse like Chris said in his post and abused his power as commissioner IMHO. Like I’ve said in previous posts there are plenty of local villians (see Seattle CC, governor at the time) who were also dumb enough to believe Stern’s promise that if they roll over and let the Sonics leave they will get a good chance at getting another team in the near future.
Stern and Clay Clay Bennett were the 2 biggest villains by far, without them, the Sonics never leave.
I suggest you watch “Sonicsgate”.