The Seattle P-I reports that Sonics owner Clay Bennett is checking out the digs in Kansas City.
Bennett has threatened to transplant the team from the Northwest after failing earlier this year in attempts to get state lawmakers to consider using tax money to help pay for a new $500 million arena in Renton.
In Kansas City, he would have the $276 million Sprint Center, which does not yet have an anchor tenant, according to the Star.
“My take on Kansas City is positive,” Bennett told the newspaper after an economic development luncheon at a Kansas City hotel. “You’ve got a brand-new, beautiful building in an important market. It’s viable. We’re going to do a complete and thorough evaluation of the market.”
Hmm. So let’s see. Bennett demands a half-billion dollar hoops palace in Renton, but apparently a $276 million arena in a much smaller market is perfectly “viable.”
“Right now, we have no option other than to explore relocation,” Bennett told the Star.
Um… yeah… or, he could admit that there is something in between the current Key Arena and a $500 million taxpayer funded freebie. Personally, I’d have trouble accepting any public subsidy, but I’m guessing I’m in the minority, and that if Bennett actually tried negotiating, rather than just handing voters a ransom note, he might be able to strike a deal.