FanHouse

Sonics owner Clay Bennett's attempt to take his battle with the city of Seattle over the KeyArena lease to arbitration was the first public salvo in what's become an incredibly vicious (and public) war between the team and the town. A judge has finally ruled on that request... and it's not good for Bennett.

In his written ruling this afternoon, [U.S. District Judge Ricardo] Martinez agreed with the city that the dispute revolves around the essential term or length of the lease. He called the Sonics' owners arguments to the contrary "as errant as a typical Shaquille O'Neal free throw."

Things are pretty bad when a judge is tossing around bad jokes like that about your argument. This may not change the endgame, of course -- the Sonics want to pay for the remaining lease payments owed up front and split, which is likely what the result will be here (barring a miracle arena, or $500 million, falling from the sky). How's the city win, then? Delay it... which is just what keeping it in court does.

I'm not naive/idealistic enough to think one season of Kevin Durant will cause a massive sea change in public (majority) opinion on public financing for an arena. But what else could happen? A private deal appetizing enough for the league could come along. The Hornets could have trouble rekindling interest in New Orleans and need to return to Oklahoma City while Bennett fights in the courts. Who knows? But delaying even the inevitable leaves room for hope.