by Vespasian92 on Tue Apr 30, 2013 3:35 pm
This wasn't about Seattle doing anything wrong. It was about knowing that the NBA couldn't say "Thanks for the arena plan, ownership group, corporate sponsors, and fan support in a one team town (no Seahawks, Mariners, or Washington Huskies to fall back on). We appreciate the partnership between your major equity investors and the city government, basically everything a small-market can offer. Every time we asked something from you (going back to the first rumors about relocation to Anaheim), you met or exceeded our requests. Despite this, we are still gonna rip your team away. Wave goodbye to the current jobs and civic pride in your comminity, much less forget about the economic boost a new building and ownership group would bring." If Sacramento didn't do all we were supposed to, this was an auto-accept and relocation. Returning the NBA to arguably the most deserving city that doesn't currently have a team, with a heavy-hitting ownership group offering a record number, is hard to dismiss. My personal opinion is that Seattle certainly does deserve an NBA franchise again, and I would not be suprised if expansion comes out of this (despite Stern's comments of it 'not being an option as of now'.
Technically it isn't over. The entire BOG vote from all 30 owners will happen in May, but it is expected the BOG will follow the recommendation. Sacramento only needs 15 votes to deny the sale anyway, and with the 12-0 decision from the relocation commitee, we are close to that anyway.