Bennett's Sonics whirlwind: New arena, CEO

SEATTLE (AP) _ Oklahoman Clay Bennett has had a whirlwind week out West. <br/><br/>Bennett received a crash course on Sonics' basketball operations and a contract extension for point guard Luke Ridnour.

Wednesday, November 1st 2006, 8:42 am

By: News On 6

SEATTLE (AP) _ Oklahoman Clay Bennett has had a whirlwind week out West.

Bennett received a crash course on Sonics' basketball operations and a contract extension for point guard Luke Ridnour.

Next came yesterday's official closing on Bennett's $350 million transaction, giving his group ownership of the Sonics and the WNBA Storm.

The Oklahoma City businessman also named Sonics financial officer Danny Barth as the team's interim chief executive officer. Barth replaces Wally Walker, who resigned after 19 years with the team.

All this while Bennett continues his search for a new arena in the Seattle area, that could possibly hold hockey games too.

Bennett met last week with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and presented a vision for a new hockey team that would be co-tenants with the Sonics and the Storm in a new arena.