Schultz to sue Bennett

Constable Echelon

Welcome news this morning from Howard Schultz of all people.

According to the Seattle Times Schultz is sueing Bennett within the fortnight to “unwind the deal” and get the Sonics back. Jerry Brewer has a nice reaction (read: mirrored mine) pointing out that this is in all likelihood just a PR move for Schultz. But still.

Remember Enjoy the Enjoyment told us if anyone was going to do it, it was going to have to be Schultz.

Quotes after the jump.

From the main article.

Attorney Richard Yarmuth confirmed Monday that his Seattle-based law firm, Yarmuth Wilsdon Calfo, is representing Schultz and plans to sue Bennett’s Professional Basketball Club in the next two weeks.

The exchanges detail a breach of contract, Yarmuth said. He also cites McClendon’s comments last August to the (Oklahoma) Business Journal in which the billionaire founder and chief executive of Chesapeake Energy said: “We didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here [Oklahoma City].”

David Stern already test drove what is sure to be OKC’s main argument:

“I haven’t studied them, but my sense of it was that Clay, as the managing partner and the driving force of the group, was operating in good faith under the agreement that had been made with Howard Schultz,” Stern said on a conference call. “His straight and narrow path may not have been shared by all of his partners in their views, but Clay was the one that was making policy for the partnership.”

Jerry Brewer reacts:

Schultz’s dire attempt to right his wrong is the longest of all shots. And though he probably won’t admit it, he’s motivated in part by a desire to suppress fan anger. If Seattle becomes an NBA ghost town, he doesn’t want to walk around fearing for his coffee beans.

I agree with Brewer, but I’ll take what I can get.

Also I’m no lawyer, but unless there’s a lot more evidence yet to be uncovered this suit seems a little flimsy. It’s my understanding that “good faith” is about as vague as it sounds and as such difficult to prove didn’t exist. Despite how obvious it would seem to any objective observer.

Still, thumbs up to Howard Schultz! Your prize is temporary removal from my “Graves To Defecate On” list.

Unsurprisingly no take yet from the Oklahoman. The Bennett machine has yet to tell them what to write. Styx and Boston are coming to the Zoo Amphitheater in OKC per a popup ad on that website though. Big League City!

Howard Schultz plans to sue Clay Bennett to get Sonics back (Seattle Times)

Howard Schultz has only fans’ admiration to gain (Jerry Brewer)