Oklahoma City closer to Sonics

Taking a quick timeout from the playoffs with some news that has some relevance in these parts. Oklahoma City, the temporary home of the Hornets the previous two seasons, cleared another hurdle in its attempt to become a full-time NBA market. This just in from the league office:

The NBA Board of Governors today endorsed the recommendation of the NBA Relocation Committee and approved the move of the SuperSonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season, subject to a resolution of the pending litigation between the Sonics and the city of Seattle that removes any requirement for the team to play at KeyArena for the next two seasons.

“The support for the NBA demonstrated by the fans, government leaders and business community of Oklahoma City over the last three years has been extraordinary,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “The Board of Governors is confident that the level of local support will result in success for the Sonics franchise in Oklahoma.”

The renamed Sonics would be the closest NBA franchise to the Mavericks.