Bennett hopeful for arena solution to avoid moving Sonics

Basketball Betting Lines

07/20/2007 - Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - SuperSonics owner Clayton Bennett said on Thursday he wants to have a solution for a new arena in order to keep the team in Seattle.

Bennett, who purchased the team and the WNBA's Storm, issued a call to action to discuss potential solutions.

"One year ago this week we announced the purchase of the teams," Bennett said. "As part of the purchase and sale agreement, we committed to the previous owners and the NBA that we would work for one year from the close of the transaction, until October 31, 2007, to secure the development of a successor venue to KeyArena. In this time we developed what we believed was a pathway to a successful NBA and WNBA future in the region; a new multi-purpose arena with the SuperSonics and Storm as lead tenants. We were disappointed with the results at the Legislature and further disappointed at the lack of progress since the end of the session. We now invite the leadership of the Seattle area to reengage on this issue."

Although Bennett has said he is working toward keeping the Sonics in Seattle, he also informed the Seattle Post-Intelligencer his options to have a team in Oklahoma City may be better if the team can't secure a new arena in the Emerald City.

Bennett said he has asked Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels for a meeting as soon as possible to try and get a state-of-the-art arena for the Sonics and Storm.

"As the Mayor of Seattle, the home city to the SuperSonics and Storm, we believe the Mayor is the appropriate person to provide leadership and guidance on this issue," Bennett said.

Bennett said he wants city leaders to start up talk again in the arena issue, but has said in the past that a new facility is needed to maintain the team in Seattle. KeyArena, owned and operated by the city of Seattle, opened for the 1995-96 season and has a seating capacity of 17,072 for basketball.

"From day one we have maintained that it is our objective and preference to keep the teams in the market," Bennett said. "However, this can only be achieved through the development of a new state of the art multi-purpose arena facility.

"The issue is clear and simple; does the leadership of the region wish to retain its professional basketball teams? If so, serious productive discussions must commence at once. If not, as owners we must consider all of our options in regaining the financial viability of the business.".

Bennett, who used to be on the board of directors for the San Antonio Spurs, was active in accommodating the Hornets when they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina and forced to play in Oklahoma City.

Sportsbook-internet-sportsbook Basketball Betting News

<< Cubs resume impressive homestand vs. D'backs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs are enjoying a very successful homestand and will hope that trend continues this afternoon with the opener of a three- game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. The Cubs swept a t

<< Pirates try for more success against Astros
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh hasn't had much success this season, except for when it plays against Houston. The struggling Pirates shoot for their seventh straight win versus the Astros this year in the opener of a three-game series at PNC

<< Mussina, Yankees begin set with Devil Rays
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Mussina attempts to extend an impressive streak of home supremacy over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when the New York Yankees hurler starts tonight's opener of a four-game series between the American League East foes. Si

<< Indians try to continue success against Rangers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians aim for a sixth consecutive victory over the Texas Rangers when the clubs play the second test of a four-game series tonight at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The struggling Indians picked up a much-n

<< Francis set for return to Rockets
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Steve Francis, who played his first five NBA seasons in Houston, is set for a return to the Rockets. The Houston Chronicle reports Francis, whose contract was bought out by Portland last week, will

Boston's Beckett eyes win No. 13 vs. White Sox >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Beckett tries to become the second 13-game winner in the majors this evening when the Boston Red Sox continue their four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. Beckett has dropped two of his

Bard's suspension reduced to two games >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Diego Padres catcher Josh Bard had his three-game suspension reduced to two games on Thursday. Bard received the initial suspension after he made contact with umpire Ed Rapauno in the 11th innin

MLS All-Stars top Scottish champions 2-0 >>
Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of Major League's Soccer's newest stars, Colombians Juan Pablo Angel and Juan Toja, each scored first half goals against Scottish Premier League Power, Celtic FC, to lead the North American league'

Sabathia gets win No. 13 as Indians edge Rangers >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Grady Sizemore homered and drove in a pair of runs, and C.C. Sabathia picked up his major league leading 13th win as Cleveland bested Texas, 7-5, in the opener of a four-game set. Trot Nixon and Ben

Pierzynski, White Sox edge Red Sox >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A.J. Pierzynski had three hits and knocked in three runs, and Paul Konerko homered, as the White Sox topped the Boston Red Sox, 4-2, in a game that started nearly two hours late due to rain. Javier Vazquez

Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.

Will Ohio State continue to run the table in College Football betting odds?
MySportsbook.com favors Buckeyes, Fighting Irish and Golden Bears in this weekend's big games.

NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 21 - My Sportsbook NCAA football fans: things are beginning to get really interesting on college football's national stage. Following last weekend's "Separation Saturday", which included five teams ranked in the top 15 dropping games, the BCS Championship picture is beginning to take shape - with Ohio State leading the charge. And, according to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, the number-one-ranked Buckeyes will continue their winning ways this weekend.

Revenge will be the name of the game in Columbus this Saturday, as Ohio State looks to even the score following last season's loss to Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions. Although Penn State are listed as 16.5 point underdogs, they are 11-10 all-time versus the Buckeyes. Paterno and the Lions, however, will have to shut down Heisman Trophy favorite Troy Smith who has thrown for 769 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Speaking of revenge, Notre Dame will be out for some against Michigan State, following last year's 44 - 41 overtime loss to the Spartans in South Bend. The thirteenth-ranked Irish, listed as a 3-point favorite, will also be looking to avenge last Saturday's thrashing from the Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans, meanwhile, have won seven of the last nine match-ups against Notre Dame and are coming off an impressive 38-23 victory over Pittsburgh.

Out west, 22nd-ranked Arizona State will be battling for their first victory over 21st-ranked California since 2000. Although the Golden Bears are listed as 7.5-point favorites, the Sun Devils are 3-0, lead the nation in sacks with 18 and possess the Pac-10's leading passer in sophomore quarterback Rudy Carpenter.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.

NCAA Football betting lines (home team in CAPS)
--------------------------------------------------

Date Favorite Opponent Point Spread
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sept 21 GEORGIA TECH Virginia 17
Sept 22 NEVADA Northwestern 6.5
Sept 23 MICHIGAN Wisconsin 14
Sept 23 Minnesota PURDUE 3
Sept 23 SYRACUSE Miami (Ohio) 6.5
Sept 23 MISSOURI Ohio 21.5
Sept 23 Louisville KANSAS STATE 14
Sept 23 TENNESSEE Marshall 22
Sept 23 CLEMSON North Carolina 16.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA Kentucky 24
Sept 23 Iowa ILLINOIS 20.5
Sept 23 FLORIDA STATE Rice 30.5
Sept 23 AUBURN Buffalo 41.5
Sept 23 BOWLING GREEN Kent 7
Sept 23 NAVY Tulsa 4.5
Sept 23 VIRGINIA TECH Cincinnati 27
Sept 23 BYU Utah State 29
Sept 23 OHIO STATE Penn State 16.5
Sept 23 TEXAS Iowa State 25
Sept 23 Washington State STANFORD 10
Sept 23 CALIFORNIA Arizona State 7.5
Sept 23 UCLA WASHINGTON 3
Sept 23 INDIANA Connecticut 1.5
Sept 23 Central Michigan EASTERN MICHIGAN 4
Sept 23 WYOMING Air Force 1
Sept 23 UTEP NEW MEXICO 9.5
Sept 23 West Virginia EAST CAROLINA 21
Sept 23 Boston College NORTH CAROLINA STATE 7
Sept 23 GEORGIA Colorado 27
Sept 23 ARKANSAS Alabama 1.5
Sept 23 BAYLOR Army 11
Sept 23 WESTERN MICHIGAN Temple 28
Sept 23 MISSISSIPPI Wake Forest 2.5
Sept 23 KANSAS South Florida 5.5
Sept 23 TEXAS A&amp;M Louisiana Tech 23.5
Sept 23 UAB Mississippi State 9.5
Sept 23 LSU Tulane 36
Sept 23 Utah SAN DIEGO STATE 6.5
Sept 23 BOISE STATE Hawaii 15
Sept 23 Notre Dame MICHIGAN STATE 3
Sept 23 USC ARIZONA U 22
Sept 23 Oklahoma State HOUSTON 1
Sept 23 OREGON STATE Idaho 23
Sept 23 OKLAHOMA Middle Tennessee State 29
Sept 23 MARYLAND Florida International 18.5
Sept 23 AKRON North Texas 17.5
Sept 23 SOUTH CAROLINA Florida Atlantic 29.5
Sept 23 NEBRASKA Troy 23
Sept 23 SMU Arkansas State 6

For complete NCAA football odds and World Series odds please visit MySportsbook.com