NBA Sonics seek arbitration to escape Seattle lease

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

SEATTLE, United States (AFP) — Seattle Supersonics owner Clay Bennett filed paperwork Friday to have an arbitrator rule on whether or not the club could escape the last two years of its arena lease and relocate.

The team has sought construction of a new home arena and Bennett is from Oklahoma City, which drew rave reviews as a temporary home for the National Basketball Association Hornets after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

The Hornets are back in Louisiana and Oklahoma City is seen as a prime candidate for any franchise looking to relocate, which the Sonics would without a new arena, Bennett said.

"The franchise will not remain in this marketplace without a new arena," said Bennett. "We will not break the lease. We will operate within the legal...