David Stern and the Sonics.

[LongIslandZagFan]

https://es.pn/2qWhLrE

Reading and article on ESPN about Stern’s death... first two paragraphs tell you exactly why he stood in the way of any team moving to Seattle. His contempt for certain regions disgusts me. Was never a big fan of his. This just backs up my dislike of him.

[SorenTodd45]

Adam Silver is 10 times the commissioner that David Stern ever was.

Anyways, the Sonics relocation to Oklahoma was not 100% the fault of Stern. Hurricane Katrina played a part in it as well. The Pelicans played for two seasons at the Ford Center, and their success there made the powers that be, realize that Oklahoma City was a viable NBA market. Clay Bennett (owner of the Thunder) is also the bad guy; he had no intention of ever keeping the Sonics in Seattle.

[willandi]

Adam Silver is 10 times the commissioner that David Stern ever was.

Anyways, the Sonics relocation to Oklahoma was not 100% the fault of Stern. Hurricane Katrina played a part in it as well. The Pelicans played for two seasons at the Ford Center, and their success there made the powers that be, realize that Oklahoma City was a viable NBA market. Clay Bennett (owner of the Thunder) is also the bad guy; he had no intention of ever keeping the Sonics in Seattle.

Bennett could not have moved the Sonics without Stern allowing it. I'll give you 1% for Bennett, the rest is on Stern.

[509er]

Don’t forget Howard Schultz. He gets a % as well.

[seacatfan]

Give a small percentage to the Seattle City Council maybe as well. But yeah, that was mostly Stern. It's pretty bad when a league commissioner is involved in collusion.