I don't think it takes a fan of the Sonics to think their moving is a shame. Allen has a history of taking a fan's perspective and forgetting about whether or not something is profitable or not... as a fan of the NBA and native of Seattle, you'd think he'd see it both ways.

Allen is a fan of Seattle sports, and I think he's pissed off on some level that the Sonics are leaving. Plus it's important to him to maintain a good image with the people of Seattle. A vote for the move wouldn't do that.

Paraphrasing Ross Perot, I think that "giant sucking sound" you hear is the vacuum of the Sonics' departure exerting its gravitational pull on the Blazers. Whether the Blazers will move remains very much in doubt, but I would argue that it makes it much more likely.

Calm down. The Blazers will NEVER move to Seattle. Part of the deal with Seattle moving is that the city retains the name, logo, etc. I PA wants a team in his hometown, he'll sell the Blazers and start one from scratch named The Sonics.

Also....keep in mind that Allen owns the Rose Garden again. How much of a financial burden would it become if it didn't have those 42 sold-out Blazer games every year? (which I anticipate will be the case next year with Oden on the floor)

Not to mention that the Blazers would like to sell a few NBA tickets to Seattle fans. Simply put there is no good reason for Allen to vote yes and a lot of good reasons for him to vote no.

Greg C

In the 1970's Donald Sterling bought the Boston Celtics and moved them to San Diego while John Y Brown bought the Buffalo Braves and moved it to Boston. As part of the deal the two teams basically traded rosters with one another as well as names coaches etc. The structure of the "deal" was suggested by the then NBA chief attorney, David Stern as a way to keep the "Celtics" in Boston while allowing the owner to get the team to California where he wanted it. There are plenty of ways for Allen to get a team in Seattle without actually "moving" the Blazers there. Can we say the Portland (Charlotte) Bobcats boys & girls?

Greg C

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is trying to buy the team - so Paul Allen may be trying to help the delay so that Ballmer can buy the team.

Not to mention the fact that Allen already owns a sports team in Seattle (Seahawks), and I am sure he would have seen boycotts of his team if he'd voted yes.

Good points Greg C and Jenni. As long as there is no NBA team in Seattle the Blazers will also sell some additional luxury boxes to businesses in Seattle and possibly even Vancouver BC.

If Allen were to move the Blazers to Seattle, how would he move his reaquired Rose Garden Arena north?

"If Allen were to move the Blazers to Seattle, how would he move his reaquired Rose Garden Arena north?"

He can't. This is how this works. Paul Allen announces that he has sold the Blazers including the Rose Garden to a group headed by Eric Sten. At the same time he announces that he has purchased the Charlotte Bobcats and is moving them to Seattle to be renamed the Sonics. Both Eric & Paul also announce that as part of the deal Eric is swapping front office, players, and coaches with the Sonics.

The net result is that the Blazers technically stay in Portland but consist of the Charlotte Bobcat team, coaches, & front office. Stern applauds the deal.

Greg C

Greg,

Don't forget where Allen made his fortune, I'm sure he is still plugged in to Balmer so wants to help them out.

I think the more logical explanation (besides just doing the right thing for his home town) is to help support the various efforts at delaying the move in Seattle. The city can probably win their lawsuit and force the team to stay two more years. Shultz may not be able to win his, but he can probably drag it out. Same for the fans class action suit. Add up that hassle and the bad situation in Memphis and a possible scenario is Bennett getting fed up with waiting and caving in to the Balmer group while simultaneously buying the Grizzles and moving them to OKC.