NBA.com's David Aldridge column on Seattle's NBA options

I've thought this for a few years, before Chris Hansen appeared, that relocation of an existing team was the most likely path to the NBA returning to the Seattle market.

Is it better for the owners to split off a portion of ongoing revenues for one time cash? Sure, but split 30 ways it dilutes quickly, and does nothing for the overall health of the league.

Or, is it better that a franchise that cannot keep up with inflating value and costs of an NBA team be allowed to turn a profit from sale, and relocate that team to a viable market.

I think some owner will not be denied a half billion dollar profit that may only be possible if the team relocates to Seattle.

This is a business.

"I believe Seattle should have the first shot," one owner said, on condition of anonymity. "I think a move is more likely than expansion, but right now, neither looks likely."

A second owner said Seattle " is a great market, especially for the NBA," but echoed Silver's sentiments.

"I agree with you there are some markets that would be great addition to the NBA but in terms of expansion, I think we need 30 solid teams first," the second owner said. "If there are teams that are repeatedly losing money every year even after revenue sharing, we must consider moving existing teams to those markets first. Then, once all teams are healthy and making a profit, we can perhaps discuss expansion -- but not until then."

Seattle still has solid shot at NBA return, but don't expect it to happen anytime soon - NBA.com

http://www.nba.com/article/2017/07/31/morning-tip-future-of-sonics-seattle-nba-expansion/

Watch those franchise values.
[edited below, text below added 8/4/2017]
I've read most little bits of information that might be, could be, may be, something for way too long, but this is unusually thorough, posted on NBA.com, and anonimous source owners. That's a bit different.
They lay out their path to making a decision for Seattle or not, and in what order.
The question is, how long do those two paths take?
But I take it that they are on that path now, or why bother talking? Maybe we get a relocated team, or an expansion team, or nothing, in that order.

Adam Silver inevitable NBA expands, Returning to Seattle on the list ofcities

Here is about a minute of the video.

Silvers says it's inevitable that the league returns to look at it, that Seattle is way up on the list of cities, and he doesn't believe in skill 

dilution.

https://youtu.be/VzuMi1PJiQ8

"We haven't made any commitments to Seattle," said Bettman. "In fact, I've been telling everyone in the process that they should build their building with an understanding that there may not be an NHL team there.

"We're not making any commitments to expand. We're not planning on moving anybody. And to the extent people are winking and nodding that they're getting a team, they're really getting ahead of themselves."

For some reason I feel like Silver's last comment was more encouraging than Garry Betman's last comment on the arena solution in Seattle.

Silver seems to indicate he's more ready now but is looking at timing.

"I think it's just a question of when the right time is to seriously start thinking about expansion."

I precursor to this position might best be heard here, from November 2016. Silver listed out some step to get to the point of exploring expansion.

https://mobile.twitter.com/siriusxmnba/status/799387392255922177

It's the hacks that pay attention on media day for another sport. Those folks will wander off to football, and that can't happen soon enough.

Rockets Sale Could Be Cautionary tail for KeyArena

It's a cautionary tail about somebody that had exclusive control of an arena and how they kept a sports franchise from being considered as a destination.

Arena ownership isn't a charity, or public works project.
Do I think Tim Leweike would put his interests ahead of the NBA returning?
Yes.
Welcome to capitalism.
The City of Seattle MUST insist on a mechanism, financial or otherwise, that they control to best ensure the outcome of the NBAreturning to Seattle.
I want him bound to that obligation even if he doesn't have a NBA partner right now.
Assurances are never going to be enough to satisfy this requirement for me.

He bought the team in 1993 for $85 million. Twenty-four years later, the Rockets are worth $1.65 billion. That’s remarkable.
For the NHL, though, his stepping back from the sports world could be the catalyst that makes it possible for hockey to return to the fourth-largest U.S. city.

https://www.fanragsports.com/nhl/rockets-sale-catalyst-return-hockey-houston/

Also, the Rockets are worth $1.65b because of the artificial exclusivity. Why would the KeyArena hockey partners want to split revenues with the NBA when they, like the Rockets, could create that artificial exclusivity, driving up their revenues and franchise value, a franchise they made Lewekei a partner so his priorities were aligned with their$. That just says the Sonics would not be welcomed back.
This isn't a day one problem. This grows over time as they look for increased profits.
Again, welcome to capitalism, and worse, a monopoly of public property by a private corporation in direct conflict with the desires of the community that is supposed to benefit from their shared asset, certainly as much as anybody in the OVG corporation feels entitled to increased profits.

It is, in fact, the council's responsibility to act in the public's interest, don't say you want the Sonics back and then do as little as possible to ensure that in the KeyArena MOU.

They have no interest in the NBA as OVG is structured.

The KeyArena shit show: Sonics Rising version

This isn't any more surprising than me stepping away from it, is it?

Anyway, their readers are asking questions and Sonics Rising is having to defend something they are denying exists, cognitive dissonance.

There's this list. Then there was a defensive posture.

Members of the Arena Community Advisory Group include:

• Monty Anderson – Executive Secretary, Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council

• John Barr – NHL to Seattle 

• Robert Cardona – Uptown Alliance 

• Andrea Caupain – Chief Executive Officer, Centerstone 

• Evan Clifthorne – Project Belltown

• Brian Curry – 10 Mercer Restaurant and Seattle Center Advisory Commission member

• Deborah Frausto – Uptown Alliance 

• Ollie Garrett – President, Tabor 100 

• Nicole Grant – Executive Secretary, Martin Luther King County Labor Council 

• Mike McQuaid – South Lake Union Community Council 

• Brian Robinson – Founder, Sonics Rising 

• Sarah Wilke – Executive Director, Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) 

• Jane Zalutsky – Executive Director, Seattle Center Foundation 

https://www.sonicsrising.com/2017/7/20/16006222/city-of-seattle-keyarena-introduces-arena-community-advisory-group

My overall feeling is that they really do believe what they are saying, I believe them, but it's pretty obvious that they are being used to legitimize Ed Murray cramming KeyArena down everybody's throats before he leaves office. He doesn't have a political future and is absolutely burning these very good people at Sonics Rising.
So, I showed myself out.
Maybe I'm wrong, but Ed Murray has been clear in his arena preference, and how he governs.
That's exactly how I felt when I was invited to a couple off the record meetings with Brian Surratt a few months ago.
IMO, Here is the Ed Murray's fucking of the fans. It is in full bloom.

City Councilmembers will not accept a KeyArena MOU without a transportation plan

There isn't a majority without an actual transportation plan. The city will have had more than a year to understand the traffic issues and probably should now be negotiating mitigation positions with that information. A plan for a transportation plan isn't enough for at least two councilmembers, and it didn't sound like they were alone in that thought.

From The Stranger, Guest Editorial: Michael Maddox says "Mayor Murray, You Should Resign"

It is remarkable, the silence, except from those that are outspoken. When news comes out about Ed Murray nobody touches it unless it's to demand change. It's a question of power.

The silence, Ed, says you don't have support, but you do have opposition to you making you happy at all costs.

Here is part of an guest editorial from Michael Maddox. 

I encourage you to read the entire request that Murray resign as Mayor of Seattle.

Step down.

The minute your legacy became more important than the well-being of children in abusive homes, you should have questioned your motives. At least, that's what I believe. Personally, I question myself all the time, and if I'm going in a direction of what's best for me winning out over what's best for the community, I try to roll back a bit and re-center myself. My experience in life—not the best childhood, not the best adolescence—is what shaped my personal desire to do good things—but those must be for the community, and designed to ensure more kids have better lives than I did. 

The sadness that I have from your actions, from seeing someone that I looked up to (with some similarities in political paths) is real. But the anger is also real. Your combative approach, and continued damage that your actions are doing to me as a survivor, and to others in our community, is abhorrent. They are disappointing. 

I know that you have stated that you will not resign. That you are adamant on finishing your term. So much "I" in your statements. But I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm not convinced that the reminder that men "get away with it," particularly men in power, is worth it. The staff of our city are amazing. We have outstanding department heads. Our city will be fine with someone else at the helm for the remainder of the year. In fact, it may be better—losing the cloud hanging over City Hall. 

I don't expect that you will listen - or even read to this point - but I agree with Council Member Lorena González. It's time to resign. To leave what dignity with the office is left, and take what legacy you can still claim, without doing further damage to the city, or to your legacy. It is time. 

All of my Best,

Michael

Michael Maddux is a litigation paralegal, and was a Seattle City Council candidate in 2015. He managed the 2016 Seattle Housing Levy campaign, and has served on the Parks Levy Oversight and Parks Legacy committees. He writes regularly at his blog, http://michaelmaddux.org.

http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/07/19/25299771/guest-editorial-mayor-murray-you-should-resign

Have a great day,
Mike Baker

Seattle, Wa

Follow me here: @TweetMrBaker

Tweet by Mike Baker ✌️Seattle mayoral debate.

	Mike Baker ✌️ (@TweetMrBaker)
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Interpol - Not Even Jail - Live at Eurockeennes Festival, Belfort, Franc...

I pretend like no one elseTo try to control myselfI'm subtle like a lion's cageSuch a cautious displayRemember take hold of your time hereGive some meanings to the meansTo your endNot even jail

https://youtu.be/VzEmICpDWUg