Bennett to delay request to NBA to move Sonics

Sonics and Storm owner Clay Bennett said Friday he won't cloud the opening of the Sonics season by immediately filing with the NBA for permission to relocate the teams if an Oct. 31 deadline passes with no deal for a new arena.

Bennett previously indicated he'd file for relocation on Nov. 1 — the day of the Sonics' regular-season home opener at KeyArena. On Friday, Bennett said he'd made those comments before he knew the team schedule and he now wants the players to "have the stage to themselves as they open the season."

But it may only be a matter of time. Bennett did not back away from his Oct. 31 deadline to land an arena deal and said he would eventually ask the NBA for permission to move the teams if no arena plan emerges.

The NBA sets a deadline of March 1 for teams to file for relocation the following season.

Bennett visited the Seattle area this week and toured the Emerald Downs horse-racing track in Auburn with Emerald Downs President Ron Crockett and King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has said it is studying the idea of a new basketball arena on tribal land next to the track.

Although Bennett said he came away "impressed" with the track, he said he did not see any arena proposals that are far enough along to give him much optimism that a deal can be reached in the next two months.

"I assume there could be some things in the works, but it's getting to the point where if something tangible is going to develop, our organization would need to integrate with those ideas as soon as possible," he said. "There is just a lot to do and consider in a very short time frame."

Bennett also spoke with Gov. Christine Gregoire by telephone this week. An aide to Gregoire said the conversation produced no substantial developments on an arena deal.

Gregoire has tapped a trio of local business leaders to discuss arena possibilities: Microsoft Senior Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith; Boeing executive Bob Watt, and developer Dave Sabey, who owns a swath of land south of Boeing Field that has been discussed as a potential arena site.

The group has met at least once with the governor, according to Gregoire aide Scott Merriman, but has not produced any specific arena plan.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com