Charlotte's Most-Hated Man on Sonics' Owners: "They're just like me."

George Shinn, who engineered the Hornets' escape from Charlotte after he couldn't get the arena he wanted, has some chilling things to say about Sonics' ownership. Shinn tells The Oklahoman:

I think they've got a plan and are working their plan and it's going to work out.

They're just like I am. They're goal-oriented people.

I don't think anyone doubts what that "goal" is.

And what's scarier is that Shinn's plan for getting the Hornets out of Charlotte matches what Clay Bennett has done in Seattle: alienate fans, refuse to contribute toward a new arena, refuse to accept any ownership partners that might want to keep the team in town.

If Shinn had put up just $14 million, the city of Charlotte would've paid for a new arena. He refused. David Stern tried to get him to sell to Michael Jordan. He refused. Eventually he got the sweetheart deal he wanted in New Orleans--and the NBA granted Charlotte a new franchise.

For all of you hoping that the Sonics will somehow manage to stay, George Shinn comparing himself to Clay Bennett is the worst news you could imagine.