AP Interview: Bennett: New Sonics arena would cost $500 million

SEATTLE (AP) _ The new owner of the Seattle Supersonics says the Washington state Legislature will have a financing plan for a new arena by the end of the month. <br/><br/>Oklahoman Clay Bennett says the

Friday, January 19th 2007, 6:26 am

By: News On 6

SEATTLE (AP) _ The new owner of the Seattle Supersonics says the Washington state Legislature will have a financing plan for a new arena by the end of the month.

Oklahoman Clay Bennett says the plan calls for a state-of-the-art arena in the Seattle suburbs that would seat approximately 18,500 people and cost more than $500-million. That would include $300-million from taxpayers.

Bennett says the new arena would house the Sonics and Storm professional basketball teams, high-profile concerts and potentially national political conventions, college basketball's Final Four championships -- maybe even the Grammy Awards.

If a new arena isn't agreed upon by October 31st, the teams can move to Oklahoma City.