Seattle Forsaken

Seattle is vanishing. Grey’s Anatomy is stale. Starbucks is suffering. The Mariners and Seahawks have declined. Frasier and Niles have deserted. Once, Seattle was the Emerald City. Unfortunately, rain and ruin have consumed them.

On Wednesday, the NBA and Seattle compromised. The Supersonics may relocate. However, they owe $75 million. They also forfeit their colors, name, and records. “It was a tough experience for all of us that were involved in it,” said Owner Clay Bennett. “There was just so much that happened on both sides, so much misinterpreted, miscommunicated and misunderstood that it was difficult.”

Concerning Seattle’s future, NBA Commissioner David Stern was blunt. “We understand that city, county, and state officials are currently discussing a plan to substantially rebuild KeyArena for the sum of $300 million,” he said. “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. Given the lead times associated with any franchise acquisition or relocation and with a construction project as complex as a KeyArena renovation, authorization of the public funding needs to occur by the end of 2009 in order for there to be any chance for the NBA to return to Seattle within the next five years.”

During their Seattle tenure, the Supersonics amassed a 1,745-1,585 record. They accrued one NBA championship, three Western Conference championships, and six division championships. They also totaled 22 playoff appearances.

Money talks. The aforesaid is not cliché or truism. The aforesaid is realty. Arenas, revenue, and suites are pertinent. Fans and loyalty are irrelevant. Seattle learned this lesson. A lesson which is a apocryphal.