Friday, March 7, 2008 - Page updated at 09:06 PM

WA governor optimistic the NBA will remain in Seattle

Gov. Chris Gregoire says she's working to keep the NBA in Seattle, although it's becoming more likely that it won't be the current SuperSonics.

Gregoire made her comments a day after the city of Seattle unveiled a $300 million plan to renovate KeyArena and a group of Seattle-area businessmen stepped forward as potential team owners. The plan calls for $75 million from the state in existing taxes. While some key legislators dismissed the proposal on Thursday, Gregoire says the issue is not dead for this legislative session.

Gregoire also says she talked with Sonics' owner Clay Bennett after Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly approved paying for improvements to the Ford Center. Bennett made it "abundantly clear" that the Sonics are not for sale, but Gregoire is holding out hope for another franchise that could keep the Sonics' name.

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