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Posted: 1:30 PM- The National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics will move to Oklahoma City after failing to secure a new arena in the Seattle area, owner Clayton Bennett said.
The SuperSonics notified NBA Commissioner David Stern they intend to relocate if they are successful in a lawsuit with the City of Seattle or are able to negotiate an early termination of their lease at Key Arena, Bennett said in a statement.
The team also has the option of moving at the end of the lease term, which runs through the 2009-10 season. The city filed a lawsuit in September to keep the team in Seattle through the end of its lease.
The Sonics had set a deadline of Oct. 31 to work out details of a new arena, the statement said. Given the lack of public, government and business support for a new facility, the team had no option other than to begin the relocation process, Bennett said.
