July 3, 200818 yr http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8286654?MSNHPHMA SEATTLE (AP) - The SuperSonics will move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season as part of a settlement with the city of Seattle, ending a contentious relationship that resulted in a trial in which the judge was due to issue her ruling Wednesday. The settlement calls for Sonics owner Clay Bennett and the Professional Basketball Club LLC to pay up to $75 million to the city in exchange for the immediate termination of the KeyArena lease between the NBA team and the city. The team's name and colors will be staying in Seattle. "We made it," Bennett said after stepping to an Oklahoma City podium featuring the NBA logo and the letters OKC. "The NBA will be in Oklahoma City next season." Bennett said the move would start Thursday and the first focus would be on the SuperSonics' players. Bennett announced that the settlement calls for a payment of $45 million immediately, and would include another $30 million paid to Seattle in 2013 if the state Legislature in Washington authorizes at least $75 million in public funding to renovate KeyArena by the end of 2009 and Seattle doesn't obtain an NBA franchise of its own within the next five years. "We understand that city, county, and state officials are currently discussing a plan to substantially rebuild KeyArena for the sum of $300 million," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "If this funding were authorized, we believe KeyArena could properly be renovated into a facility that meets NBA standards relating to revenue generation, fan amenities, team facilities, and the like." Bennett said he and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels signed a binding agreement Wednesday, which would be formalized later, that keeps the SuperSonics' name, logo and colors available if Seattle gets a replacement franchise. "We have 30 million reasons why we have support for a future NBA team," Seattle city attorney Tom Carr said. In April, the NBA Board of Governors approved Bennett's application to move the team to Oklahoma City, pending the outcome of the trial between the team and the city. The settlement came six days after the trial concluded. It doesn't cover a pending lawsuit filed by Starbucks Corp. chairman Howard Schultz, who is seeking to regain control of the team he sold to Bennett in 2006 for $350 million. Schultz claims that Bennett didn't follow through on an agreement to negotiate in good faith for a new arena in Seattle for one full year before seeking relocation options. The trial was centered on the lease agreement between the city and the team that called for the Sonics to play at KeyArena through the 2009-10 season. Sonics lead attorney Brad Keller contended that Bennett should simply be able to write a check to satisfy the final two years of the lease. Keller argued that the "specific performance" clause the city rested its case on should not apply in a garden-variety dispute between tenant and landlord. Bennett and his ownership group previously offered to pay the city $26.5 million in February to buy out the final two years of the lease. They were rebuffed.
July 3, 200818 yr is it worht paying 75million to move? to lose the sonics names/colors also? I guess it will be cool for Ok City fans who will have a team of their own
July 3, 200818 yr That city has shown they deserve an NBA team after welcoming in the Hornets with open arms after Katrina. Congrats to them. At the same time, it's sad for the Sonic fans who have been loyal to the team.
July 3, 200818 yr Sad. I posted about this on the "new stadium" forum. This should serve as a warning to all the City and County commissioners in Miami-Dade. You do not want to be in the same position your counterparts in Seattle are in right now. They can get on their soapbox about how billionaire owners should build stadiums themselves and how they don't consider helping secure the future of sports teams as important as other issues, but just go talk to anyone in Seattle right now...Regardless of if you are a sports fan or not, you can't tell me that Seattle didn't just lose something important today. They lost part of their history and something that united that community. Don't let it happen here. Get the shovels in the ground and start building a baseball stadium Miami! As for the Sonics...shame on all of those involved in this. Shame on Howard Schultz. He knew what he was getting into when he sold his team to a group from OKC(a city angling for a team since the Hornets went back to New Orleans). Shame on the Seattle politicians that dragged their feet and stonewalled any and all plans brought before them. They were betting that the NBA was bluffing and only tried to come up with solutions when it was too late. Shame on Clay Bennett for lying to the fans of Seattle all along. And shame on David Stern for allowing this and letting his league leave a city that has supported you for 41 years. Leaving a big market like Seattle for Oklahoma City is asinine and likely wouldn't be happening but Clay Bennett happens to be a personal friend of Sterns. I'm sure that basketball fans in Oklahoma City are happy tonight....They get a pro team. This isn't their fault, but this can't possibly be how they wanted this to happen. There are no winners in this mess.
July 3, 200818 yr People like Aubrey McClendon (Sonics (well, formerly the Sonics) co-owner, Duke alumnus, and infamous Swift Boat donor) make me ashamed to be a Blue Devil.
July 3, 200818 yr I feel sorry for the Seattle fans. This was a situation that was totally out of their control. However, it's pretty likely that Seattle will get another expansion franchise like Charlotte did in the next few years. I was watching ESPN News earlier, and an 'expert' being interviewed believes that the NBA will expand to Las Vegas and Seattle in the near future. So now what are they going to call the Oklahoma City team? I vote for the Tumbleweeds.
July 3, 200818 yr Kinda sucks. I really liked that name, it was cool. I feel really bad for their fans, this really must hurt. I never want to feel that. On the flip side. OKC showed how much they deserve a team by the way they held the Hornets after Katrina.
July 4, 200818 yr thinking of some other names: Outlaws Rebels Twisters Storm any one have an suggestions?
July 4, 200818 yr Sad. I posted about this on the "new stadium" forum. This should serve as a warning to all the City and County commissioners in Miami-Dade. You do not want to be in the same position your counterparts in Seattle are in right now. They can get on their soapbox about how billionaire owners should build stadiums themselves and how they don't consider helping secure the future of sports teams as important as other issues, but just go talk to anyone in Seattle right now...Regardless of if you are a sports fan or not, you can't tell me that Seattle didn't just lose something important today. They lost part of their history and something that united that community. Don't let it happen here. Get the shovels in the ground and start building a baseball stadium Miami! As for the Sonics...shame on all of those involved in this. Shame on Howard Schultz. He knew what he was getting into when he sold his team to a group from OKC(a city angling for a team since the Hornets went back to New Orleans). Shame on the Seattle politicians that dragged their feet and stonewalled any and all plans brought before them. They were betting that the NBA was bluffing and only tried to come up with solutions when it was too late. Shame on Clay Bennett for lying to the fans of Seattle all along. And shame on David Stern for allowing this and letting his league leave a city that has supported you for 41 years. Leaving a big market like Seattle for Oklahoma City is asinine and likely wouldn't be happening but Clay Bennett happens to be a personal friend of Sterns. I'm sure that basketball fans in Oklahoma City are happy tonight....They get a pro team. This isn't their fault, but this can't possibly be how they wanted this to happen. There are no winners in this mess. First, I think it's a bit easier to move a basketball franchise than a baseball one. Not as much equipment to pack up in the former. Second, who said that the city of Seattle didn't do anything for the Sonics? Key Arena was renovated not long ago, including premium seating. Frankly, after shelling out major dough to build Safeco Field, Qwest Stadium, not to mention imploding the Kingd(o)ome(d), I can understand why they'd be reluctant to do another arena re-do. Nah, I think pro basketball would be a prime candidate for installing an open system of competition, with the possibility of promotion/relegation and multiple tiers. That way, there would be a major disincentive to move franchises when any city can enter a team in sporting competition.
July 5, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt
July 5, 200818 yr Author As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt On the other hand, you don't even live in Seattle so it shouldn't make much of a difference.
July 5, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread.
July 5, 200818 yr It must stink to lose a team, but when I look at it I see the Sonics coming in last. Seahawks, Mariners, and even Washington and Washington St. athletics before the sonics. The team has been in a downward spiral and that may be partly why. The only team to win a championship in Seattle, but still I think they will get over the loss quickly.
July 6, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club.
July 6, 200818 yr Author As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much.
July 6, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me.
July 6, 200818 yr Author As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. Because you don't live there and you can't go to the games anyway. Again, I can understand feeling bad for the people that actually live there and are actually losing something.
July 6, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. I think the problem we have here is that most people become fans of a team because they have a connection to a city or state in which the team plays. Take me for example...I root for a baseball team that trades it's best players every few years, a NFL team who was last really good a decade before I was born and has been one of the worst run franchises in sports, a hockey team that can't figure out how to make the playoffs in a league where almost everyone makes the playoffs, and an NBA team that is coming off perhaps one of the worst seasons in the history of the sport. You think I root for these teams by choice???? Sure, I could root for other teams, but I can't help it, I love them for the simple reason that I love South Florida and they play here. I couldn't imagine being a fan of a team from another city. I get that you can be annoyed because the Sonics are moving. Heck, it annoys me that the team is moving. But I feel bad for the people of Seattle who love their city and the team's that play there. I have read that many are grieving like they lost a family member, and I get that. They grew up with that team and now, through no fault of their own, it has been taken away. It's a terrible story. However, YOU get no sympathy from me. You chose to root for a team from a city 4000 miles away from where you were born and raised despite YOUR hometown having it's own team. That's your decision and that is fine(I don't get it, but to each his own I guess), but don't pretend to actually be feeling a loss like the people of Seattle are feeling it. If you want to be a fan of that franchise, nothing changes for you. Seattle...OKC...what difference does it make you? You never stepped foot in Seattle and only watched the team live here in Miami. You can still root for them from afar like you always have.
July 7, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. I think the problem we have here is that most people become fans of a team because they have a connection to a city or state in which the team plays. Take me for example...I root for a baseball team that trades it's best players every few years, a NFL team who was last really good a decade before I was born and has been one of the worst run franchises in sports, a hockey team that can't figure out how to make the playoffs in a league where almost everyone makes the playoffs, and an NBA team that is coming off perhaps one of the worst seasons in the history of the sport. You think I root for these teams by choice???? Sure, I could root for other teams, but I can't help it, I love them for the simple reason that I love South Florida and they play here. I couldn't imagine being a fan of a team from another city. I get that you can be annoyed because the Sonics are moving. Heck, it annoys me that the team is moving. But I feel bad for the people of Seattle who love their city and the team's that play there. I have read that many are grieving like they lost a family member, and I get that. They grew up with that team and now, through no fault of their own, it has been taken away. It's a terrible story. However, YOU get no sympathy from me. You chose to root for a team from a city 4000 miles away from where you were born and raised despite YOUR hometown having it's own team. That's your decision and that is fine(I don't get it, but to each his own I guess), but don't pretend to actually be feeling a loss like the people of Seattle are feeling it. If you want to be a fan of that franchise, nothing changes for you. Seattle...OKC...what difference does it make you? You never stepped foot in Seattle and only watched the team live here in Miami. You can still root for them from afar like you always have. I'm sure the fans that were born and raised in/around the Pacific NW are having a harder time than I am, but to dismiss my fanhood based on my proximity is still a baseless argument in my eyes. For all those soccer/futbol fans here in the U.S. that root for teams in The Premier League, a large majority of them have no connection geographically speaking to those teams. Still, they root for them and connect with them regardless, whether or not they eat fish & chips. Should they all find MLS teams to root for instead? Some fans that live in and around Seattle have probably been to less games than I have (think of those in Washington state but not in driving distance to KeyArena since the state is rather large), but since they're in the state, they get a pass because the laws of fanhood say you should root for the home team? I'm not trying to convince anyone of how much of a fan of a team I am, but I'm dismayed out how you see things along the lines of geography and not passion for a team regardless of where they sit on a map. I'm not asking for sympathy and never have in regard to this issue. I'm simply trying to make you understand that rooting and being all about a team shouldn't have guidelines or rules attached. I understand it's a pet peeve of yours for people to root for non-home town teams. That's not my problem though. As for rooting for the OKC franchise: I can't do that with the way the owner treated the city of Seattle. Even if it's not my city, it was a slap in the face and I blame the politicians just as much as Clay Bennett. Take care. Thanks for caring about my pretend feelings for a sports franchise (I'm not saying that with sarcasm, seriously). Matt
July 7, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. I think the problem we have here is that most people become fans of a team because they have a connection to a city or state in which the team plays. Take me for example...I root for a baseball team that trades it's best players every few years, a NFL team who was last really good a decade before I was born and has been one of the worst run franchises in sports, a hockey team that can't figure out how to make the playoffs in a league where almost everyone makes the playoffs, and an NBA team that is coming off perhaps one of the worst seasons in the history of the sport. You think I root for these teams by choice???? Sure, I could root for other teams, but I can't help it, I love them for the simple reason that I love South Florida and they play here. I couldn't imagine being a fan of a team from another city. I get that you can be annoyed because the Sonics are moving. Heck, it annoys me that the team is moving. But I feel bad for the people of Seattle who love their city and the team's that play there. I have read that many are grieving like they lost a family member, and I get that. They grew up with that team and now, through no fault of their own, it has been taken away. It's a terrible story. However, YOU get no sympathy from me. You chose to root for a team from a city 4000 miles away from where you were born and raised despite YOUR hometown having it's own team. That's your decision and that is fine(I don't get it, but to each his own I guess), but don't pretend to actually be feeling a loss like the people of Seattle are feeling it. If you want to be a fan of that franchise, nothing changes for you. Seattle...OKC...what difference does it make you? You never stepped foot in Seattle and only watched the team live here in Miami. You can still root for them from afar like you always have. I'm sure the fans that were born and raised in/around the Pacific NW are having a harder time than I am, but to dismiss my fanhood based on my proximity is still a baseless argument in my eyes. For all those soccer/futbol fans here in the U.S. that root for teams in The Premier League, a large majority of them have no connection geographically speaking to those teams. Still, they root for them and connect with them regardless, whether or not they eat fish & chips. Should they all find MLS teams to root for instead? Some fans that live in and around Seattle have probably been to less games than I have (think of those in Washington state but not in driving distance to KeyArena since the state is rather large), but since they're in the state, they get a pass because the laws of fanhood say you should root for the home team? I'm not trying to convince anyone of how much of a fan of a team I am, but I'm dismayed out how you see things along the lines of geography and not passion for a team regardless of where they sit on a map. I'm not asking for sympathy and never have in regard to this issue. I'm simply trying to make you understand that rooting and being all about a team shouldn't have guidelines or rules attached. I understand it's a pet peeve of yours for people to root for non-home town teams. That's not my problem though. As for rooting for the OKC franchise: I can't do that with the way the owner treated the city of Seattle. Even if it's not my city, it was a slap in the face and I blame the politicians just as much as Clay Bennett. Take care. Thanks for caring about my pretend feelings for a sports franchise (I'm not saying that with sarcasm, seriously). Matt The Premier League example isn't really valid. In that case it is soccer fans who do not have a world class soccer franchise in their hometown's to root for. Even if there is a MLS team where they live, it's a completely different league and those teams will never face one another. In your case you were born in an area that has it's own NBA team and you chose to root for a direct competitor from another city for which you have no connection...other than maybe you liked the players on that team at that time. Like I said, to each his own....but I will never understand this way of thinking. If you are from someplace, you root for your hometown team...just my opinion, you are certainly entitled to yours. But I suppose this is a discussion for another thread. Just out of curiousity, how does a kid from South Florida become a fan of the Seattle Supersonics anyway? You said you became a fan during the 1990's. According to your profile you were born in 1985. That would mean you became a fan around the age of 10. The majority of Seattle's games are played after 10pm on the east coast...there was no NBA TV package to watch games on...the Internet was nowhere as evolved as it is now. So you really couldn't follow the team other than in box scores or the occasional national TV game. How did you establish any sort of connection to this team?
July 7, 200818 yr Not to really get into this little thing here. But just one thing in support of FAUOWLS .... It doesn't matter if the team moves, because they will still be your team. You do not live in Seattle and you do not go to games. It makes no difference if they are from Seattle or Oklahoma. It is hard to react that this is such a huge lose, because you are catching most games on TV or online and when they come to town you catch a game. Just because they moved doesn't mean you can't catch a game when they come to town.....
July 7, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. I think the problem we have here is that most people become fans of a team because they have a connection to a city or state in which the team plays. Take me for example...I root for a baseball team that trades it's best players every few years, a NFL team who was last really good a decade before I was born and has been one of the worst run franchises in sports, a hockey team that can't figure out how to make the playoffs in a league where almost everyone makes the playoffs, and an NBA team that is coming off perhaps one of the worst seasons in the history of the sport. You think I root for these teams by choice???? Sure, I could root for other teams, but I can't help it, I love them for the simple reason that I love South Florida and they play here. I couldn't imagine being a fan of a team from another city. I get that you can be annoyed because the Sonics are moving. Heck, it annoys me that the team is moving. But I feel bad for the people of Seattle who love their city and the team's that play there. I have read that many are grieving like they lost a family member, and I get that. They grew up with that team and now, through no fault of their own, it has been taken away. It's a terrible story. However, YOU get no sympathy from me. You chose to root for a team from a city 4000 miles away from where you were born and raised despite YOUR hometown having it's own team. That's your decision and that is fine(I don't get it, but to each his own I guess), but don't pretend to actually be feeling a loss like the people of Seattle are feeling it. If you want to be a fan of that franchise, nothing changes for you. Seattle...OKC...what difference does it make you? You never stepped foot in Seattle and only watched the team live here in Miami. You can still root for them from afar like you always have. I'm sure the fans that were born and raised in/around the Pacific NW are having a harder time than I am, but to dismiss my fanhood based on my proximity is still a baseless argument in my eyes. For all those soccer/futbol fans here in the U.S. that root for teams in The Premier League, a large majority of them have no connection geographically speaking to those teams. Still, they root for them and connect with them regardless, whether or not they eat fish & chips. Should they all find MLS teams to root for instead? Some fans that live in and around Seattle have probably been to less games than I have (think of those in Washington state but not in driving distance to KeyArena since the state is rather large), but since they're in the state, they get a pass because the laws of fanhood say you should root for the home team? I'm not trying to convince anyone of how much of a fan of a team I am, but I'm dismayed out how you see things along the lines of geography and not passion for a team regardless of where they sit on a map. I'm not asking for sympathy and never have in regard to this issue. I'm simply trying to make you understand that rooting and being all about a team shouldn't have guidelines or rules attached. I understand it's a pet peeve of yours for people to root for non-home town teams. That's not my problem though. As for rooting for the OKC franchise: I can't do that with the way the owner treated the city of Seattle. Even if it's not my city, it was a slap in the face and I blame the politicians just as much as Clay Bennett. Take care. Thanks for caring about my pretend feelings for a sports franchise (I'm not saying that with sarcasm, seriously). Matt The Premier League example isn't really valid. In that case it is soccer fans who do not have a world class soccer franchise in their hometown's to root for. Even if there is a MLS team where they live, it's a completely different league and those teams will never face one another. In your case you were born in an area that has it's own NBA team and you chose to root for a direct competitor from another city for which you have no connection...other than maybe you liked the players on that team at that time. Like I said, to each his own....but I will never understand this way of thinking. If you are from someplace, you root for your hometown team...just my opinion, you are certainly entitled to yours. But I suppose this is a discussion for another thread. Just out of curiousity, how does a kid from South Florida become a fan of the Seattle Supersonics anyway? You said you became a fan during the 1990's. According to your profile you were born in 1985. That would mean you became a fan around the age of 10. The majority of Seattle's games are played after 10pm on the east coast...there was no NBA TV package to watch games on...the Internet was nowhere as evolved as it is now. So you really couldn't follow the team other than in box scores or the occasional national TV game. How did you establish any sort of connection to this team? I didn't have a world class NBA franchise in my hometown of South Florida, so I chose the Sonics instead. NBA Playoffs around '92. Sonics got to the Western Conference Finals against the Suns in '93 and watching their ascent to that point, I became a fan of how they played and the players on their team. (As for not rooting for the Heat, that probably comes from my whole family being from NY and being Knicks fans). At that juncture, SportsCenter still showed 4-5 minute highlights of games (compared to the 20 seconds they do currently), so I followed them that way as well. Subscribing to S.I., reading articles, purchasing merchandise and all that good stuff as a young'n increased my connection and my passion for the team. @dgreco: Moving from city to city makes a difference to me in this case since the team basically becomes a whole new franchise in how the new owner was able to move the Sonics franchise. I understand it will be the same GM, same players and so forth, but it's not the same to me if they are not in Seattle. I'm not a fan of the OKC Drillers or whatever the owner wants to call themselves. I'm a fan of the Seattle SuperSonics. Matt - also a Buffalo Bills fan . I won't start that topic though fau/castillo.
July 7, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. I think the problem we have here is that most people become fans of a team because they have a connection to a city or state in which the team plays. Take me for example...I root for a baseball team that trades it's best players every few years, a NFL team who was last really good a decade before I was born and has been one of the worst run franchises in sports, a hockey team that can't figure out how to make the playoffs in a league where almost everyone makes the playoffs, and an NBA team that is coming off perhaps one of the worst seasons in the history of the sport. You think I root for these teams by choice???? Sure, I could root for other teams, but I can't help it, I love them for the simple reason that I love South Florida and they play here. I couldn't imagine being a fan of a team from another city. I get that you can be annoyed because the Sonics are moving. Heck, it annoys me that the team is moving. But I feel bad for the people of Seattle who love their city and the team's that play there. I have read that many are grieving like they lost a family member, and I get that. They grew up with that team and now, through no fault of their own, it has been taken away. It's a terrible story. However, YOU get no sympathy from me. You chose to root for a team from a city 4000 miles away from where you were born and raised despite YOUR hometown having it's own team. That's your decision and that is fine(I don't get it, but to each his own I guess), but don't pretend to actually be feeling a loss like the people of Seattle are feeling it. If you want to be a fan of that franchise, nothing changes for you. Seattle...OKC...what difference does it make you? You never stepped foot in Seattle and only watched the team live here in Miami. You can still root for them from afar like you always have. I'm sure the fans that were born and raised in/around the Pacific NW are having a harder time than I am, but to dismiss my fanhood based on my proximity is still a baseless argument in my eyes. For all those soccer/futbol fans here in the U.S. that root for teams in The Premier League, a large majority of them have no connection geographically speaking to those teams. Still, they root for them and connect with them regardless, whether or not they eat fish & chips. Should they all find MLS teams to root for instead? Some fans that live in and around Seattle have probably been to less games than I have (think of those in Washington state but not in driving distance to KeyArena since the state is rather large), but since they're in the state, they get a pass because the laws of fanhood say you should root for the home team? I'm not trying to convince anyone of how much of a fan of a team I am, but I'm dismayed out how you see things along the lines of geography and not passion for a team regardless of where they sit on a map. I'm not asking for sympathy and never have in regard to this issue. I'm simply trying to make you understand that rooting and being all about a team shouldn't have guidelines or rules attached. I understand it's a pet peeve of yours for people to root for non-home town teams. That's not my problem though. As for rooting for the OKC franchise: I can't do that with the way the owner treated the city of Seattle. Even if it's not my city, it was a slap in the face and I blame the politicians just as much as Clay Bennett. Take care. Thanks for caring about my pretend feelings for a sports franchise (I'm not saying that with sarcasm, seriously). Matt The Premier League example isn't really valid. In that case it is soccer fans who do not have a world class soccer franchise in their hometown's to root for. Even if there is a MLS team where they live, it's a completely different league and those teams will never face one another. In your case you were born in an area that has it's own NBA team and you chose to root for a direct competitor from another city for which you have no connection...other than maybe you liked the players on that team at that time. Like I said, to each his own....but I will never understand this way of thinking. If you are from someplace, you root for your hometown team...just my opinion, you are certainly entitled to yours. But I suppose this is a discussion for another thread. Just out of curiousity, how does a kid from South Florida become a fan of the Seattle Supersonics anyway? You said you became a fan during the 1990's. According to your profile you were born in 1985. That would mean you became a fan around the age of 10. The majority of Seattle's games are played after 10pm on the east coast...there was no NBA TV package to watch games on...the Internet was nowhere as evolved as it is now. So you really couldn't follow the team other than in box scores or the occasional national TV game. How did you establish any sort of connection to this team? I didn't have a world class NBA franchise in my hometown of South Florida, so I chose the Sonics instead. NBA Playoffs around '92. Sonics got to the Western Conference Finals against the Suns in '93 and watching their ascent to that point, I became a fan of how they played and the players on their team. (As for not rooting for the Heat, that probably comes from my whole family being from NY and being Knicks fans). At that juncture, SportsCenter still showed 4-5 minute highlights of games (compared to the 20 seconds they do currently), so I followed them that way as well. Subscribing to S.I., reading articles, purchasing merchandise and all that good stuff as a young'n increased my connection and my passion for the team. @dgreco: Moving from city to city makes a difference to me in this case since the team basically becomes a whole new franchise in how the new owner was able to move the Sonics franchise. I understand it will be the same GM, same players and so forth, but it's not the same to me if they are not in Seattle. I'm not a fan of the OKC Drillers or whatever the owner wants to call themselves. I'm a fan of the Seattle SuperSonics. Matt - also a Buffalo Bills fan . I won't start that topic though fau/castillo. You became a Sonics and Bills fan in the early 1990's. So when did you become a Marlins fan...1997 or 2003? We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this. Sure, you can watch all the highlights and read all the articles you want, but I don't see how that equals the fun of rooting for a team from your community. I see no point in rooting for a team from a city you have never stepped one foot in. There's just something un-American about it. It's like watching the Olympics and deciding to root for Japan because they have better divers then the US. I just can't wrap my head around it. Maybe that's just me.
July 7, 200818 yr As a Sonics fan since the early 90s, this has been such a painful and annoying event in my life. It's so tough to admit to myself that the time I invested myself to for so many years will no longer exist come October 2008. I've come to the conclusion that it seems like this was the best way to leave the city, but it still hurts. I still remember making sure I went to that one game every season between the Sonics/Heat at Miami Arena in the early to mid 90s to see Payton & Kemp devour the Heat. And now, to see a team that has been rebuilding since Payton left, that had so much potential going into this season even with the young players...I can't even comprehend how I'll feel come opening day of the next season. I really wish the worst for Clay Bennett. Matt Sorry for your loss? I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what exactly are you losing here? Have you even ever been to Seattle?? You don't say, but given your age and the fact that the only mention of ever watching them live was in Miami I don't see your problem. I feel really bad for the people of Seattle, but it's not like YOU live there. I'm guessing you've been following them on TV your whole life, what changes now? And if you have lived in South Florida your whole life, I'd like to offer you the chance to right a wrong and root for the NBA team that plays here....not 4000 miles away. Sorry but people born in a place where there is a local team and yet they are a fan of a team in a city they have no other connection to is a pet peeve of mine. It drives me nuts...but not as much as Mets fans who left New York decades earlier dressing their kids in Mets stuff and bring them to games to root against the home team....but that is a discussion for another thread. I connected with a team I liked at an early age, and because I don't live in proximity to them, I should not root for them? I understand where you're coming from, but it's a bit of a lame argument to say "You don't live there, get over it." I didn't realize geography is the only basis for rooting for a sports club. Whether they play in Oklahoma City or Seattle really shouldn't bother you, though. I understand feeling bad for the fans in Seattle but to say it's been a "painful and annoying time in my life" is a bit much. The process of coming to grips has been a pain. For a team that has been a part of a city for over four decades to move in such a manner as this (deceiving owner, David Stern showing no faith in the city/team), it's more than a bitch. Not sure how this doesn't make sense to y'all how this has annoyed me. I think the problem we have here is that most people become fans of a team because they have a connection to a city or state in which the team plays. Take me for example...I root for a baseball team that trades it's best players every few years, a NFL team who was last really good a decade before I was born and has been one of the worst run franchises in sports, a hockey team that can't figure out how to make the playoffs in a league where almost everyone makes the playoffs, and an NBA team that is coming off perhaps one of the worst seasons in the history of the sport. You think I root for these teams by choice???? Sure, I could root for other teams, but I can't help it, I love them for the simple reason that I love South Florida and they play here. I couldn't imagine being a fan of a team from another city. I get that you can be annoyed because the Sonics are moving. Heck, it annoys me that the team is moving. But I feel bad for the people of Seattle who love their city and the team's that play there. I have read that many are grieving like they lost a family member, and I get that. They grew up with that team and now, through no fault of their own, it has been taken away. It's a terrible story. However, YOU get no sympathy from me. You chose to root for a team from a city 4000 miles away from where you were born and raised despite YOUR hometown having it's own team. That's your decision and that is fine(I don't get it, but to each his own I guess), but don't pretend to actually be feeling a loss like the people of Seattle are feeling it. If you want to be a fan of that franchise, nothing changes for you. Seattle...OKC...what difference does it make you? You never stepped foot in Seattle and only watched the team live here in Miami. You can still root for them from afar like you always have. I'm sure the fans that were born and raised in/around the Pacific NW are having a harder time than I am, but to dismiss my fanhood based on my proximity is still a baseless argument in my eyes. For all those soccer/futbol fans here in the U.S. that root for teams in The Premier League, a large majority of them have no connection geographically speaking to those teams. Still, they root for them and connect with them regardless, whether or not they eat fish & chips. Should they all find MLS teams to root for instead? Some fans that live in and around Seattle have probably been to less games than I have (think of those in Washington state but not in driving distance to KeyArena since the state is rather large), but since they're in the state, they get a pass because the laws of fanhood say you should root for the home team? I'm not trying to convince anyone of how much of a fan of a team I am, but I'm dismayed out how you see things along the lines of geography and not passion for a team regardless of where they sit on a map. I'm not asking for sympathy and never have in regard to this issue. I'm simply trying to make you understand that rooting and being all about a team shouldn't have guidelines or rules attached. I understand it's a pet peeve of yours for people to root for non-home town teams. That's not my problem though. As for rooting for the OKC franchise: I can't do that with the way the owner treated the city of Seattle. Even if it's not my city, it was a slap in the face and I blame the politicians just as much as Clay Bennett. Take care. Thanks for caring about my pretend feelings for a sports franchise (I'm not saying that with sarcasm, seriously). Matt The Premier League example isn't really valid. In that case it is soccer fans who do not have a world class soccer franchise in their hometown's to root for. Even if there is a MLS team where they live, it's a completely different league and those teams will never face one another. In your case you were born in an area that has it's own NBA team and you chose to root for a direct competitor from another city for which you have no connection...other than maybe you liked the players on that team at that time. Like I said, to each his own....but I will never understand this way of thinking. If you are from someplace, you root for your hometown team...just my opinion, you are certainly entitled to yours. But I suppose this is a discussion for another thread. Just out of curiousity, how does a kid from South Florida become a fan of the Seattle Supersonics anyway? You said you became a fan during the 1990's. According to your profile you were born in 1985. That would mean you became a fan around the age of 10. The majority of Seattle's games are played after 10pm on the east coast...there was no NBA TV package to watch games on...the Internet was nowhere as evolved as it is now. So you really couldn't follow the team other than in box scores or the occasional national TV game. How did you establish any sort of connection to this team? I didn't have a world class NBA franchise in my hometown of South Florida, so I chose the Sonics instead. NBA Playoffs around '92. Sonics got to the Western Conference Finals against the Suns in '93 and watching their ascent to that point, I became a fan of how they played and the players on their team. (As for not rooting for the Heat, that probably comes from my whole family being from NY and being Knicks fans). At that juncture, SportsCenter still showed 4-5 minute highlights of games (compared to the 20 seconds they do currently), so I followed them that way as well. Subscribing to S.I., reading articles, purchasing merchandise and all that good stuff as a young'n increased my connection and my passion for the team. @dgreco: Moving from city to city makes a difference to me in this case since the team basically becomes a whole new franchise in how the new owner was able to move the Sonics franchise. I understand it will be the same GM, same players and so forth, but it's not the same to me if they are not in Seattle. I'm not a fan of the OKC Drillers or whatever the owner wants to call themselves. I'm a fan of the Seattle SuperSonics. Matt - also a Buffalo Bills fan . I won't start that topic though fau/castillo. You became a Sonics and Bills fan in the early 1990's. So when did you become a Marlins fan...1997 or 2003? We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this. Sure, you can watch all the highlights and read all the articles you want, but I don't see how that equals the fun of rooting for a team from your community. I see no point in rooting for a team from a city you have never stepped one foot in. There's just something un-American about it. It's like watching the Olympics and deciding to root for Japan because they have better divers then the US. I just can't wrap my head around it. Maybe that's just me. Nothing un-American about it in one sense. I devoted myself to a team. Community or location didn't make it any less fun. I'm sure it'd be more fun if I was in Seattle to witness it more, but I had a whole lots of fun. McDonald's ball-pit fun. Having a community that is all about my team doesn't make it any more fun and at the same time, being so far from them doesn't make it any less fun. I'll be singled out among friends at times, but I'm fine with that as long as I can still root for my team. You'll find a whole lot more fans of teams not even close to their hometown (see Yankees, Red Sox, Cowboys, Patriots and so on). Born & raised a Yankee fan due in part to their playing Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale. But since they were only there for one month out of the year, I suppose I should have devised my plan of who to root for a little better. The Marlins came in 1993 and I really had no interest in rooting for them even if they were in my viscinity. I started getting into them around early 2007 and after I graduated college. Started watching a lot of their games on FSN, liked the players and their personalities, so now I root for them. Olympics revolve more around pride for your country. People here definitely are all about representing their state in terms of sports, but with so many options in the whole U.S., it makes it easier to choose different teams to root for. Thanks for calling out my patriotism though.
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