Stern: Seattle 'history' if Sonics leave

PHOENIX, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said the city of Seattle will be part of professional basketball history if the SuperSonics leave for another location .

Stern made the comment Thursday during a news conference in Phoenix, where the 2009 NBA All-Star game will be held.

At the center of the problem is the inability of the Sonics to get the city to agree to build a new arena.

They currently play at the antiquated KeyArena.

Last week, team chairman Clay Bennett filed for relocating the franchise to Oklahoma City, his hometown.

"If his strategy is to increase pressure on the city and state, it's not working very well," Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis told the Post-Intelligencer. "He's creating an exact opposite reaction. My suggestion is that Mr. Stern stop with the verbal airballs and talk to us directly instead of taking shots through press conferences."

Seattle has had an NBA franchise since the 1967-68 season.