Sonics fans in pain

While this post is specifically about the Seattle Sonics, and I'm trying to stay away from those, I think it also I think it also tells a wider story. So, indulge me.

When the Oilers left Houston, only 8 people showed up to that now infamous "Keep Our Oilers" rally. As the Sonics leave, there's a sense of desperation. But that isn't to say there is apathy, or a lack of action. Here, more than 8 people care, so to speak.

Today's Seattle Times has a piece by Danny Westneat in the wake of comments by new Sonics owner Clay Bennett. Bennett has been touring Kansas City, and listening to what that city is offering the team. As part of his visit, Bennett told the Starr newspaper that nobody in Seattle is helping him build an arena.

"(There has been) no hue and cry, no letters to the editor, nothing by the media or talk on the call-in shows, or no new ideas on how to get it done. No private ideas on the table," Bennett said.

That isn't at all true. Nevermind my personal position, there are plenty of things cooking. The cities of Bellevue and Renton have separate plans. A third plan is gestating in Tukwila. The governor has signed on to at least one stadium package. Multiple state senators have put their necks on the line. Sports radio is full of keep-the-Sonics talk. Etc. To suggest that the community doesn't care is disingenous.

But there's more. The story isn't just about Seattle caring or not caring. I think it's also about Bennett actively trying to leave. Read on.

In his article, Westneat spoke to the presidents of some fan organizations -- some of them with 5,000 members. On one of the organization Web sites, a president expanded on Westneat's column, and said a few things I had never heard before or understood.

My frustration comes from the fact that ownership has taken virtually no steps to address these issues before judging our community. Despite repeated pleas they have chosen not to reach out in any meaninful way to the media nor really engage the fans whatsoever.

For all the claims of money spent on the arena quest there has been no Advertising firm hired, no significant effort whatsoever to educate the public or release information. No real effort to pass a vision onto the community. In a real nutshell they have continued to have dialogue with the government without stopping for a second to talk with their customers.

The city of Renton along with our organization actually made more of a sales pitch than the team iteself. Furthermore all public commentary is, at this point indicating that he has given up 6 months into a 1 year due dilligence and without having taking any effort to adjust to the situation. He took one shot at legistlature and now is simply sitting back waiting to see what they bring to him.

This is not acceptable.

Isn't that crazy? The Sonics haven't even hired anybody to sell their message? I think that's whack.

When the Oilers left Houston, I had the definite sense that the community did not care. Right? Did everybody feel that way? If Clay Bennett can somehow convince the world that Seattle doesn't care about the Sonics, I'm going to be furious. We might not build him an arena, but to suggest that we haven't tried is absurd. Particularly if the community is trying harder than he is.

Screw you, Sonics.