Those expecting NBA Commissioner David Stern to ride to the rescue and save Sonics' basketball in Seattle might want to think again.

Speaking on a national conference call with NBA writers Thursday, Stern sounded pessimistic when asked about the Sonics' future in Seattle, saying his two trips to the area to promote an arena solution showed "there was no heart whatsoever for assisting a Sonics' team."

Stern mentioned last November's passage of Initiative 91 in Seattle, which prohibits the city's ability to fund sports arenas without getting a fair-market return, calling that roadblock "unique in the annals of arena building."

Stern, who just finished two days of owner's meetings in New York, said Seattle's situation differs from other arena conflicts in terms of the seeming backlash in its own community toward a potential solution.

"I think every situation is individualized from the league's perspective," he said. "It's fair to say there was a very sort of proactive anti-Seattle Sonics' movement."

Stern said he consulted with lobbyists and arena consultants hired by Clay Bennett's new ownership group but sounded resigned to the fact the team could be moved as soon as Bennett gets out of the KeyArena lease.