Bennett Can't Understand Lease, Wants Arbitration

Apparently Clay Bennett does not know what a lease is. He has filed today for an arbitration panel to decide if the Sonics have to play there final 2 seasons in Key Arena. The Seattle Times acquired a copy of the arbitration document here.

The Seattle City Council passed a law holding the Sonics to the lease through 2010. Bennett and his lawyers do not believe this legal. He cites the fact that City officals have stated that it would be more profitable for the city to let the Sonics go and collect the funds from the early-lease buyout instead of holding the team to the lease.

It has to be in the best interest of the city to keep the Sonics. They have been here for 40 years and will provide much more revenue then the buyout would bring. If the panel upholds the lease then with the additional 2 years the Sonics and government will be able to come up with a workable plan, maybe using the land the Muckelshoot Tribe offered for free.

This is a desperate attempt by Bennett to try and weasel his way out of the lease. He was never serious about staying in Seattle and that is becoming more and more clear with every passing day. I just hope he is ready for a battle in Court because the Sonics aren't leaving this city without a fight.

Bennett seeks release from KeyArena lease [Seattle PI]
Ex-foes join up to save Sonics [Seattle PI]
When it comes to the Sonics, there's something in the coffee in Seattle [The Oklahoman]