My Letter to David Stern

[palantri]

I mailed this letter to the NBA Commissioner this morning, and I wanted to post it here for everyone to read. Comments are welcome, as long as they are respectful. Im all for a debate, but not if it involves name calling or childish replies
Ed


Dear Mr. Stern,

My name is Ed Hutchinson. You have never met me, nor I you, but I have been a fan of the NBA for nearly twenty years. I regret to say that is no longer the case. My issue comes with the way the Seattle Supersonics were relocated to Oklahoma City. I will preface this by saying that I am not a fan of the Sonics, nor do I know much about their team, besides that Kevin Durant plays for them. So this is not a letter from a fan of Seattle complaining about losing its team. It is, instead a letter from a former NBA fan who is not happy with how business is being conducted in the NBA.

While I understand fully, as do you, the importance of economics on professional sports, I feel that you do not understand the importance of what a team can mean to a city. I live in Cleveland, and in 1994, our football team was relocated to Baltimore. As a young fan, I was crushed and hurt that the NFL could care so little about the adamant fans in Cleveland. With the Sonics move being eerily similar, I am forced to wonder if the fans of the NBA are truly your greatest concern, or if you are more focused on the almighty dollar.

I have nothing against the fans of Oklahoma City. From all I know, they are very passionate sports fans, and they were a wonderful host city to the Hornets when that team was unable to play in New Orleans. I dont begrudge them having an NBA team at all, but I have to wonder, are the fans, the people, of Oklahoma City more entitled to a sports franchise than the fans in Seattle? I would argue that no, they are not- that both cities deserve a basketball team that they can cheer for. Unfortunately, that is no longer a possibility.

I will close this letter by saying that I am a realist. I know that this letter will not change your mind, nor move the Sonics back to Seattle. However, I hope that it will give you a perspective that you may have been lacking- that of a true sports fan, who cares more about his team than revenue sharing, salary caps, and endorsement deals.

Sincerely,
Ed Hutchinson

[12thManzAlive]

AMEN bro!!!!
Thanks for the letter. I know your not a Sonics fan but I am, and that's great to see and read that someone who doesn't live around the Northwest can see what is REALLY going on.

[Insane Irish]

Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm 100% with ya man, that whole situation sucks, and I don't want to make it seem like I'm knockin ya....BUT, I just don't think the Commish will ever get the letter, isn't it kinda like writing a letter to the President, or a kid writing to Santa Clause??

Cool idea, but who's really gonna read it??

I'm sure many angry fans will write, but I highly doubt he cares enought to read them. Stern is the worst thing to happen to the NBA....PERIOD!!!

[palantri]

i agree with you, but if i didnt write it, then there was 0 chance that Stern would read it. by writing and sending it, there is at least some chance

[theanswer0221]

i agree with you, but if i didnt write it, then there was 0 chance that Stern would read it. by writing and sending it, there is at least some chance

great point there, i agreed that he probably wont read it, but he might read one or two of these leters he gets, yours, however, will probably be the best. may people probably just wrote: "you suck", or "thanks for ruining the NBA", abd garbage like that, if he were to pick up this letter, he could see how people truley felt towards the situation.

the only thing i dont like about this letter is that you could have added:

"i know a guy who lives in connecticut, if you want to make this up to us, place a team there."

:)

[CHillyDoggy]

In working for the PGA Tour, I know that I can't even reach our commissioner, ha. But, I do know that he has a couple of secretaries who read that stuff and send letters back to people who express their concern... so indirectly, I'm sure that he's aware, as will Stern be, of what the fans think so it definately can't hurt to make your feelings known.

[Hoopladawg87]

Great idea, though I do not see the big deal from a non-fan perspective. Seattle was obviously not as supportive as it had been in the past. With interest appearing to decline in Seattle, and growing interest in OKC after they hosted the Hornets, doesn't it only make sense to make the move?

Sports teams move. It's a fact. The two NBA franchises that instantly come to mind for me are the Hornets (Charlotte to New Orleans) and long ago the Jazz (New Orleans to Utah). And in both cases, the city that previously hosted the team was given another franchise years later. It happens. We as fans can just move on and see what happens!

[biggle46]

I would make copies to and ask for a response and if u dont get one...keep sending

[buffalo5edwards]

i wrote a letter last month, and got a signed photo back. what a jerk, i write to him telling him i hate him, and says thanks for writing i love you!

[CHillyDoggy]

Easy to say if you haven't had season tickets and been there living and dying with them every night only to have them taken away by a greedy owner who made his own mistakes and then wanted the city to fix them for him.

George Shinn is a major scumbag... who had to buy his way out of rape allegations of one of the team dancers in Charlotte & then lied to the league about attendance, etc. to get the Hornets out of Charlotte. The guy was even saying things after Katrina that made it sound like he was looking for a way to stay in Oklahoma City and not have to go back to New Orleans. guess he knew he couldn't get around that P.R. nightmare though.

I have felt for the real Seattle fans all through this. I'm sure there are a lot of sad ones there now. And to have Durant & Green there with a bright future too, must really suck.