Seattle Sonics principal owner Howard Schultz said Wednesday he'll look at all the options ? including moving or selling the team ? if the state Legislature fails to earmark $200 million for the Sonics to refurbish KeyArena or build a new home.
Schultz, who talked to reporters before the Sonics' game with the Golden State Warriors, said he's told team president Wally Walker to look at all the alternatives.
One would be moving the Sonics to a market known to be interested in acquiring an NBA franchise ? Las Vegas, Nev.; Norfolk, Va., or Oklahoma City, Okla. ? or to one of three cities ? Anaheim, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo., and San Jose, Calif. ? that have made overtures to Sonics officials, the team said in a statement.
Schultz didn't answer when asked whether he would still be involved in owning the team should it move to another city.
Another option could be building a privately financed new arena in the Seattle area, perhaps in suburban Bellevue, the team statement added.
"Our first choice has been and continues to be to stay here," said Schultz, chairman of Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. "We didn't set out five years ago to be in position to either move the team or sell it. But this is not a sustainable enterprise."




