Originally published Friday, December 21, 2007 at 12:00 AM

OKC mayor wants vote to overhaul Ford Center

/ OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City made its first major move toward permanently attracting an NBA franchise Thursday when Mayor Mick...

By Jeff Latzke

The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City made its first major move toward permanently attracting an NBA franchise Thursday when Mayor Mick Cornett called for the public to support a proposal to spend more than $100 million to overhaul the Ford Center and build a practice facility.

Cornett accelerated plans for the vote by several months so it could be held before an April date when NBA owners are expected to consider a request by Sonics owner Clay Bennett to move the team to Oklahoma City.

"If we don't pass this election, we are not going to get a team," Cornett said. "If you look at the NBA's history, at relocated franchises, I can't think of one that went to a city that didn't have a commitment to a new arena long-term."

Said Bennett in a statement: "Mayor Cornett and the city have taken a visionary and appropriate step towards becoming an NBA city. I applaud their leadership."

The NBA Board of Governors is expected to consider Bennett's relocation proposal at its April 17-18 meeting.

Bennett's efforts to move the SuperSonics from Seattle has ended up in court, where a judge will decide whether the team must honor the final three years on its lease at KeyArena, the NBA's smallest venue.

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