To Bill Gates @Microsoft
Dear Billy: I am writing you this letter on behalf of the thousands of Seattle Supersonics fans everywhere. We are still sick over the way that Clay Bennett rode into town, money whipped Howard Shultz, wrote another $45 million check to get out of the rest of his lease, and left town with our only franchise to ever win a world championship. I’m surprised we didn’t let him take the Space Needle too.
Bill, you are our only shot at getting back an NBA team. To get the Sonics back where they belong would only cost you $350 million, give or take a few shares of Microsoft. You’ve probably got that on your nightstand, in the big blue ashtray next to the bed. I know it sounds like I am trying to spend your money, but look at this from a fan’s perspective. We need the Sonics. Come mid-September, or mid-July as it has happened, the Mariners have started making golf plans, the Seahawks haven’t started to suck yet. The Sonics give us street credentials, and a way to stay connected to the national sports scene. We have always tried to be a major sports town, but when your franchise gets hijacked to the armpit of the country, it’s hard to be cool.
Don’t forget about the natural rivalry between the Sonics and Trailblazers, either. The I-5 battle of these two teams produced thrilling basketball for more than 20 years. Did you know the records between the Blazers and Sonics is 98-94? Over two decades of battle and there is only a four-game difference between cities? I dare anyone to find a rivalry that matches this one. And there is the battle between you and Paul Allen, the current owner of the Blazers. You guys can thumb wrestle or play “DOOM”, to your hearts’ content, or you can buy the Sonics back and watch them play for bragging rights of the best team in the Pacific Northwest.
There are so many good reasons to get the Sonics back, Mr. Gates. Spend the money, play at Key Arena, and lower the prices on stuff we know is cheap. Be a maverick, Bill. Charge no more than a dollar for a soda, or a dog. Raise the ticket prices for the suites. Get a great P.R. firm to represent you and it could be great like it was before. Sold-out games. National exposure. Television dollars and another boost of tourism.
Get the Sonics back in Seattle, Bill. And when you do, please hook me up with some tickets. After all, who gave you the idea of spending $350 million dollars?
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