Sonics president Walker announces resignation
SEATTLE – Wally Walker is hosting a party today to thank Seattle SuperSonics employees who worked for the Basketball Club of Seattle.
It’ll serve as Walker’s farewell party, too.
Walker, the SuperSonics team president, announced Thursday that he will resign when the franchise’s sale to the Professional Basketball Club LLC is completed on Tuesday. Walker has served as team president and CEO since 2001.
“I’ve enjoyed more than 19 years with the Sonics organization in a variety of roles and the last 12-plus years as a minority owner. I’m humbled by the opportunities and experiences I’ve had with the Sonics, and I’m very proud of this organization,” Walker said in a statement issued by the team.
Walker was a minority owner and member of the Basketball Club of Seattle LLC, the previous owners of the Sonics.
But Walker’s departure has been speculated since the sale of the Sonics to the new group headed by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett. In his statement, Walker said he decided last spring that the 2006-07 season – the last year of his contract – would be his final season as Sonics president. The ownership change precipitated an earlier departure.
Walker seemed to understand his situation on the day the Sonics were sold.
“I’ll help. Or I’ll go away, if that helps,” Walker said, calling the Sonics more than an investment and his “heart and soul.”
“After 14 years, maybe it’s time for my exile.”
Sonics’ fans have called for Walker’s departure at various times during his tenure with the organization. It comes as the team’s future in the Pacific Northwest is in flux.
The sale of the Sonics and the WNBA Storm to Bennett’s group was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on Tuesday. Bennett has stated the future of the franchise in Seattle will depend on the group’s ability to develop a replacement for the current KeyArena. Bennett’s preference is to develop a new arena complex, either in Seattle or one of the surrounding suburbs.
“Veteran point guard Milt Palacio and rookie guard Denham Brown were waived by the SuperSonics.
Seattle’s roster stood at 15 heading into its exhibition night game in Spokane.