Governor Sends Somewhat Underwhelming Letter to David Stern

A letter sent today by Governor Gregoire to NBA Commissioner Stern [pdf] presents a united front--it contains the Guv's signature, and those of four major government players.

What it doesn't contain is any definitive statement about what the state and local government is willing to do to keep the Sonics. It merely posits the belief that Seattle is a better market than Oklahoma City, and requests that the NBA postpone the relocation vote until "the many complicated legal and financial issues can be worked out."

Ideally, of course, such a letter would contain a commitment to fund $75 million for a renovation of Key Arena, as requested by Steve Ballmer's proposed ownership group.

One or more of the five signers--Gregoire, House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, King County Executive Ron Sims, or Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin--must have refused to put such an agreement in the letter.

It's nice to see some action from previously inactive (Sims) and outright hostile (Chopp) parties. But I can't imagine that this is going to change any minds.