Former Sonics owner plans lawsuit to regain team

Associated Press

The former owner of the Seattle SuperSonics says he'll sue to regain ownership of the club.

Howard Schultz sold the Sonics in 2006 to a group of Oklahoma City businessmen headed by Clay Bennett.

Now attorneys for Schultz says he'll sue because of e-mails between Bennett and his partners discussing moving the team to Oklahoma City.

After buying the team from Schultz in July 2006 Bennett promised to spend one full year looking for a way to keep the Sonics in Seattle.

The e-mails were sent in April 2007.

Schultz attorney Richard Yarmuth says he's been told to file the lawsuit within two weeks and to ask that the court rescind the sale.

NBA owners will vote Friday on Bennett's proposal to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City.

A subcommittee of three owners visited Oklahoma City last month and recommended league approval.