Stealing The Sonics Would Make Us Look Bad, Says OKC Columnist

Daily Oklahoman columnist Barry Tramel has a surprising take on the "Did OKC promise Clay Bennett the world" hullaballoo.

Oklahoma City should not get its hands financially dirty by paying relocation fees or attorney fees. That's counterproductive to the long-term goal, which is elevated status of the city.

Being in a major league with New York and Chicago and L.A. is heady stuff, but financially colluding with Bennett to remove the Sonics would counter the benefits. Oklahoma City, a feel-good NBA story for the way it propped up the Hornets these last two seasons, would be looked on as a robber baron.

Any owner who threatens to hit the highway with his franchise is demonized. But the city he lands in usually escapes such scrutiny.

That would change if Oklahoma City bankrolls the Sonics' move. OKC is not desperate. We lived a long time without the NBA, and we could live some more the same way.

Yay! Save your dignity, OKC, and leave our team alone!