Ok, since this issue hasn't been updated in awhile, I thought a thread with any and all news on the hopefully-soon-probably-not NBA team in Oklahoma City. Because they're known as the "Sonics" for now, I'll dub it "SONICWATCH" and update it whenever there's applicable news. This is getting to be "it" for the fight between OKC and Seattle --- the trial starts June 16 and the outcome of said trial will determine whether we wait for another year or two for the NBA in Oklahoma.
For now, here's what we know...
...on the lawsuit:
NewsOK: Sonic owners (pro-OKC) don't want Seattle's alt media personalities involved.
NewsOK: City of Seattle doesn't want survey (which finds that Seattle is largely apathetic toward the NBA move) results involved.
Seattle Times: Revealing e-mails
Seattle P-I: City of Seattle wants to limit suit evidence scope
Seattle Times: Oklahoma City stakes claim in Sonics
In a nutshell, both the city of Seattle and the Sonics owners are preparing for the June 16 lawsuit by deciding who should and shouldn't testify and what evidence to present. Both sides have damaging evidence and witnesses to each other's cases which they are trying to limit or keep from testifying. On the side, the city of OKC is also getting involved by saying they have a claim to the team, regardless of who the owner is.
... on ownership:
Houston Chronicle: (Former Sonics owner) Schultz claims breach of contract
AP: Potential Sonics buyers
NewsOK: Owners say Sonics not for sale
In a nutshell, the former Sonics owner (Starbucks owner) is trying to save face by getting the Soncis to stay in Seattle. The current ownership, headed by OKC businessman Clay Bennett, is also dealing with offers from Seattle locals who want to purchase the Sonics. However, Bennett et al is saying "no."
... on the move and the name.
HoopsWorld: Bennett to players not wanting to move to OKC: "Boo Hoo."
ESPN: Sonics name must include Oklahoma City
Please add any updates as they come up. Here's hoping this gets resolved soon. On a personal note, I really didn't want Seattle to lose their team. I just wanted OKC (or anywhere in Oklahoma) to get their own team.