Anger sets in over Sonics

SEATTLE – Those “Save our Sonics!” chants are now desperate pleas.

When NBA owners overwhelmingly approved the SuperSonics’ move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season Friday – provided the team can settle its lawsuit with its hometown for the last 41 years – pain finally joined anger in Seattle.

“We’re not surprised, but it still hurts,” said Brian Robinson, head of the fan group “Save our Sonics!”

Robinson paid his way to New York, then at 6 a.m. Friday he began standing outside the Manhattan hotel where the NBA’s board of governors were meeting. He spent the morning staring down league owners on their way into the vote.

“The NBA doesn’t seem to be showing any concern for the fans of the market,” he said.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett said he tried.

“I also want to express my regret to the citizens of Seattle and the fans of the Sonics that I was unsuccessful in bringing forth a new building,” Bennett said, addressing the issue of how genuine his effort was in Seattle.

There are three potential ends for Seattle:

“The U.S. District Court that will begin hearing the trial June 16 in Seattle over the team’s lease dispute could rule for the city and say the Sonics must play in KeyArena for the final two years of the lease.

“The court could rule for Bennett and agree with him that he can simply write a check to buy out the final two years of the lease so he can move the team this summer.

“Bennett could make a settlement offer so large, Seattle could not refuse it. Seattle has already turned down Bennett’s $26.5 million buyout offer.