Sonics and Storm owner Clay Bennett said Friday he won't cloud the opening of the Sonics season by immediately filing with the NBA for permission to relocate the teams if an Oct. 31 deadline passes with no deal for a new arena.

Bennett previously indicated he'd file for relocation on Nov. 1 ? the day of the Sonics' regular-season home opener at KeyArena. On Friday, Bennett said he'd made those comments before he knew the team schedule and he now wants the players to "have the stage to themselves as they open the season."

But it may only be a matter of time. Bennett did not back away from his Oct. 31 deadline to land an arena deal and said he would eventually ask the NBA for permission to move the teams if no arena plan emerges.

The NBA sets a deadline of March 1 for teams to file for relocation the following season.