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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Sonics Spat Heats Up

Owner now accusing Seattle of 'Machiavellian plan'

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(Newser) – SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett is now taking a swing at Seattle, accusing Mayor Greg Nickles of a "Machiavellian plan" to turn the basketball team back over to local ownership. The Oklahoma billionaire claims the city has misled the public and mischaracterized reasons for the lawsuit it filed to keep the Sonics at Key Arena, reports the Seattle Times.

A local investor group headed by a Microsoft CEO has been working with the city, Bennett's court documents say. Key documents have been kept from the public, Bennett claims, "because they detail the city's complicity and its coordinated effort to use this litigation to make 'the Oklahomans' bleed cash in a hostile media environment."

Clay Bennett, left, owner of the Seattle SuperSonics, listens as David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, speaks during a news conference in Oklahoma City in this March 25, 2008 file photo.
Clay Bennett, left, owner of the Seattle SuperSonics, listens as David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, speaks during a news conference in Oklahoma City in this March 25, 2008 file photo.   (AP Photo)
Sonics head coach P.J. Carlesimo is seen during their final basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Seattle, Sunday, April 13, 2008. The NBA votes today to approve the move to Oklahoma.
Sonics head coach P.J. Carlesimo is seen during their final basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Seattle, Sunday, April 13, 2008. The NBA votes today to approve the move to Oklahoma.   (AP Photo)
Seattle SuperSonics fans show their displeasure of a possible team move during the Sonics' final game of the NBA basketball season. The situation has only gotten stickier since then.
Seattle SuperSonics fans show their displeasure of a possible team move during the Sonics' final game of the NBA basketball season. The situation has only gotten stickier since then.   (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle SuperSonics fan Jason Little holds up a sign referring to owner Clay Bennett's proposed move to Oklahoma City during an NBA basketball game in Seattle, Sunday, April 13, 2008.
Seattle SuperSonics fan Jason Little holds up a sign referring to owner Clay Bennett's proposed move to Oklahoma City during an NBA basketball game in Seattle, Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm owner Clay Bennett speaks during an interview in the offices of The Associated Press, in this Jan. 18, 2007 file photo, in Seattle.
Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm owner Clay Bennett speaks during an interview in the offices of The Associated Press, in this Jan. 18, 2007 file photo, in Seattle.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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