NBA Relocation Committee will recommend Oklahoma City for NBA franchise

(March 25, 2008) - Oklahoma City took a step closer to landing a NBA team today when league commissioner David Stern announced the relocation subcommittee’s decision to recommend Oklahoma City for a NBA franchise.

The request by Professional Basketball Club, LLC to relocate the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City will be voted on by the NBA Board of Governors on April 17-18 in New York.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett is optimistic.

“We have a good story to tell and we told it,” said Cornett.  “The relocation committee was impressed with the solidarity of leadership and the citizen’s 62 percent approval to make Ford Center improvements.”

If the NBA Board of Governors approves the relocation request, the SuperSonics could move to Oklahoma City as early as next season, or as late as 2010.  Timing on the move is contingent on a federal lawsuit brought by the City of Seattle against Professional Basketball Club, LLC over the team’s lease with Key Arena.

City Council also unanimously approved a letter of intent today with Professional Basketball Club, LLC on a 15-year lease agreement at the Ford Center.  At the end of the contract the team can enter into five, three-year lease extensions.

The relocation subcommittee was made up of three NBA team owners including Jeanie Buss (Los Angeles Lakers), Herb Simon (Indiana Pacers) and Lewis Katz (New Jersey Nets).

A copy of the letter of intent between Professional Basketball Club, LLC and the City of Oklahoma City is posted at www.okc.gov.