Oh, dear. It seems the topic of the Sonics stirs a real hornets nest. And, it doesn't look like it's getting any less complicated with local investors saying it's now or never for their $150 million proposed contribution to a Key Arena overhaul.
But either way, the bigger issue of an NBA franchise in Seattle is likely going to linger for months - or years - before it is settled. In the meantime, the real big news lurking just beneath the surface is the probable, impending departure of Shaun Alexander from the Seahawks. And not just departing, but being cut from the roster outright.
The writing started to form on the wall by the end of the season, and readers of the local sports page and related blogs have seen the recent moves by the Seahawks that all but seal Alexander's fate (latest such discussion here).
Ardent fans of the Seahawks won't be surprised. But many a casual fan for what is arguable the most watched major sports team in the region are likely to be somewhat stunned by the news. It's coming. Just a matter of time. And may delightfully take the Sonics off the front pages. At least for a bit.
Posted by Eric Earling at March 10, 2008 10:32 PM | Email ThisHis only hope is to re-invent himself; pack on another 20 pounds of muscle and become a punishing runner, as opposed to something of the finesse variety that is not particularly in vogue just now.
Does Shaun have the drive? Or did it leave with the arrival of the truck loads of money?
Of course, he could wind up with a team that actually has something approaching an offensive line and become another 2000 yard runner for somebody. I, for one, would like to see him end his career that way... but it's not gonna happen here.
We'll miss him in many ways, I believe. And here's hoping he lands somewhere that has the right chemistry so that he can make a go of it.
Posted by: Hinton on March 11, 2008 12:23 AMLet 'em sell their fancy houses and drive off in their luxury SUVs.
Posted by: Politically Incorrect on March 11, 2008 02:59 AMi caught a phrase regarding a stadium (?) rehab debate..."public contribution"--nice wording indeed--i.e. TAX;
papers fill us with this "priority;" meanwhile, no one is chasing down & firing/suing the retired & failed ferry guys, the wasteful port guys and some of the useless "managers" who blessed DSHS fiascos; we're worried more about unionizing mom & pop daycare centers;
Typical Seattle/NW--action for its own sake; thrashing in the quicksand; looks industrious, results terrible;
I'm not one of those fans who blames SA's failures on the line. Mo Morris averaged 4.5 yards per carry behind that line last year, a very good average. No, SA is just a soft runner. I won't miss him falling down to avoid contact, running out of bounds instead of trying for extra yards, or his dancing behind the line of scrimmage instead of hitting the hole. Thanks for the memories Shaun, it's time to go.
Mo, JJ and TJ will make a nice combination of speed and power next year, and it's going to make a difference. And both Mo and JJ can add something to the passing game, something SA has never done.
Posted by: Palouse on March 11, 2008 07:28 AMWhatever the merits of the various proposals, doesn't it seem a bit arrogant to think that the business needs of a sports team come ahead of everything else?
Posted by: Dick on March 11, 2008 01:28 PMBut you forget, the Vikings already have Adrian Peterson, who is younger and better than Alexandar at this time.
Posted by: tc on March 11, 2008 02:37 PMWhy is this important?
Pro sports, though interesting, is nothing more or less then entertainment.
State sponsored entertainment, but still entertainment.
So why is this important?
Posted by: snuffy on March 12, 2008 07:08 AMRepublicans can and should use this issue to drive a wedge between the Democratic party and the "regular folks" because whether most people on this blog believe it or not, sports is important to the masses and they will vote if they get angry enough.
Posted by: Ken on March 12, 2008 09:45 AMThe fact that they've known about this proposal for months, and won't even put it to a vote is simply inexcusable. But there's no leadership in Olympia, so I don't know why this should be any different.
Posted by: Palouse on March 12, 2008 09:55 AMBoth Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor are way better backs than Shaurman Alexander at this juncture.....The Vikings are the last team that needs him....maybe Arizona calls.
Posted by: Rick D. on March 12, 2008 06:29 PMI want the Sonics to stay, and I thought our leaders had a pretty decent opportunity handed them to save face for their mistakes already. Instead Christine, Frank "Capitol Hill Gay Guy Made Good" Chopp and the rest of these liberal ninnies decide that its great to give money to the arts, money to the homeless, money for every stupid pet project out there, but its not OK to give money (and not that much, for the return) to a public/private proposal to save the Sonics.
I bet the reason they were scared to was blogs like this one -- the always vocal always present Republican crowd that hates any tax if a Democrat thinks it up, but who was strangely silent when the great Dino Rossi sided with Balmer.
What the hell SoundPolitics? Do you all support Rossi's position, and want 75 million in state and 75 million in city taxes for a basketball team? Or are you only antitax if Democrats do it?
Posted by: DaveD on March 13, 2008 06:34 AM