In Court, David Stern Goes to Bat for Clay Bennett
It’s no secret that David Stern is a big fan of Clay Bennett, and that’s why it should come as no surprise that the Commish is doing everything he can to protect his Oklahoman buddy.
Stern and the League is coming to the aid of Bennett as he fights off a lawsuit by Howard Schultz, the former Sonics owner who wants the 2006 sale of the team to Bennett rescinded, and for the Sonics and WNBA Storm to be placed in a collective trust.
Sayeth The Seattle Times:
The NBA filed a motion Tuesday with U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman in Seattle to intervene in Howard Schultz’s lawsuit to rescind the 2006 sale of the Sonics to an Oklahoma City ownership group.
[…]
In Tuesday’s motion, the NBA also submitted several exhibits, including documents that outline the league’s procedures for transferring control of a team. According to the league constitution, if the Sonics sale were rescinded, the team would be put “under the management and control” of NBA commissioner David Stern.
The last sentence in the blocked-off quote is key, and serves as the irony of ironies.
If there’s one place where I wouldn’t bet against David Stern, it’s the court of law. As a trained lawyer, the man knows his stuff. Looks like it’s Game Over, Schultz.
21 Responses to “In Court, David Stern Goes to Bat for Clay Bennett”
Jul.10 at 12:04 pm
phil says:
Firsst?
Jul.10 at 12:05 pm
phil says:
PS, I don’t know if I’ve made this known, but I really despise David Stern.
Jul.10 at 12:12 pm
rabn21 says:
I never despised devid stern myself, but of late he is sending me in that general direction. This whole thing is more than a tad messed up!!! They want to leave the rights to the name and colours but still make copies of trophies and banners etc. You either move the whole thing or nothing, and im not generally in favour of moving the whole thing except under exceptional circumstances.
Jul.10 at 12:13 pm
Ken says:
I dislike Stern more and more each year.
Jul.10 at 12:35 pm
d.Y. says:
I don’t know what Clay Bennett looks like, so I try to picture him as the guy from American Idol, but I don’t know what he looks like either, so I picture Clayface from Batman in a suit, stealing the team from Seattle.
Jul.10 at 12:37 pm
Mendel says:
well, if stern is gonna allow you to be a player and a member of the club then he obviously likes you, but he has given Clay an inntiation stoping, and I guess its time to dust him off a little.
Jul.10 at 12:40 pm
rapsfan43 says:
first vancouver to …memphis???? and now seattle to okc. shame on you david stern. the nba belongs in seattle and vancouver. tell me, how many people have seen a grizzly bear in memphis?
Jul.10 at 12:46 pm
what says:
They should move the Grizzlies to Seattle. David Stern is and has always been a douche bag.
Jul.10 at 2:55 pm
Tryad says:
They should move the Grizzlies back to Vancouver, and hopefully if the attendance is low after the upcoming season for the Hornets, they should move to Kansas City for a possible swap with the Bobcats.
Jul.10 at 2:57 pm
Recommended Labeler says:
Since the City of Seattle are keeping the entire SuperSonic franchise, they are not getting a different team name.
Jul.10 at 2:59 pm
Tryad says:
The Grizzlies should move back to Vancouver, and if the Hornets attendance won’t reach after the upcoming 08-09 season, they should move to Kansas City for a possible swap with the Bobcats.
Jul.10 at 4:45 pm
Kevin says:
Stern did a great job of marketing the NBA, but this whole Seattle fiasco really annoys me
Jul.10 at 6:53 pm
David says:
I really wish the Sonics didn’t have to leave Seattle, but doesn’t it seem like Schultz’s case is just saying: “but, he lied!”
Jul.10 at 7:17 pm
Mo says:
David, yeah his case is basically saying “but, he lied!” But Schultz had to be crazy if he didn’t think Bennett wasn’t buying that team to move them. Every knew that after they got a taste of the Hornets they would want a team permanently for Oklahoma. Schultz is just trying to save face in Seattle. He knows he doesn’t have a case but if it looks like he’s trying to save the team, then he thinks maybe the people of Seattle would forgive him and not throw a cup of hot java in his face when they see him. LMAO!
Jul.10 at 9:45 pm
David says:
I wonder if Schultz will move Starbucks…
Jul.10 at 10:52 pm
jedi420 says:
I hate Stern with a passion, I’m from Vancouver so seeing the exact same thing happen to both of my ‘’home'’ teams is disgraceful to say the least. Not to mention that when the Grizzlies were going through the same ordeal there was barely a peep from any media, at least with the Sonics getting some coverage people have realized what a dooshbag Stern actually is. I’ve been a die hard NBA fan for over twenty years, but having to witness the total lack of respect for the Northwest has made me pretty jaded. NBA Cares my ass…
Jul.11 at 12:20 am
Hursty says:
there needs to be an ‘off’ between the words ‘Bat’ and ‘for’. That would make far more sense the way things seem to have played out.
Jul.11 at 3:36 am
Rip says:
Stern is just so arrogant.
Bennett lied to him about the team staying in Seattle. Any other league commissioner would dislike a man for doing such a thing, but no Stern sticks up for the guy.
Jul.11 at 4:52 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
Is there any way this whole sordid affair could get any more disgusting? Wait, I think we just found one…
Jul.11 at 4:55 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
Also, Stern seems to be undergoing a Senator Palpatine-like transformation. Next stop: destroying planets!
Jul.11 at 2:16 pm
Rob says:
Come on how did no1 see this comin?!? Firstly Clay Bennett is chairperson of PBC LLC which happens to be based in Oklahoma, Chairperson Emiritus of the Oklahoma Heritage Association……AND HES A STAUNCH REPUBLICAN