New Sonics owner rejects public arena vote

The new owners of the Sonics want a state-of-the art arena on as many as 30 acres in King County, paid for by the team, other private investors and a "significant" investment from taxpayers.

They just don't want the public to get a vote on it.

Clay Bennett, head of the Oklahoma City-based group that bought the Sonics and Storm in July, made his position clear before a group of regional leaders today at a meeting in Seattle. The team needs a new arena with suites, club seats and other amenities to stay competitive, Bennett said, but the Legislature must show "leadership" to approve public funding, not the voters.

A public vote would be a "very difficult proposition and a very difficult achievement," Bennett said.

Bennett, is in town to meet with local leaders and attend the Sonics season opener at KeyArena tonight against the Portland Trailblazers. The sale of the team became official at 12:01 a.m. today, Bennett said.

Bennett answered questions for about 25 minutes this afternoon from the King County Regional Policy Committee, made up of county council members and officials from several cities, including Seattle, Renton and Redmond.

The new owner had strong words about Initiative 91, a measure on Tuesday's ballot that would require the city of Seattle to make a profit on any publicly financed sports arena in the city. The measure was written after the Sonics' old owners tried to get $200 million or more in tax money this year for a KeyArena expansion.

If approved by voters, I-91 "could be the fatal flaw" for a new arena at Seattle Center, Bennett said, and the team is taking the measure into account as it identifies potential arena sites around the county.

Bennett said the initiative is "bad policy" because "you have to have latitude to look at (arena) deals one by one."

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com