Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | November 30, 2006
During almost four decades of involvement with the Seattle SuperSonics,
Lenny Wilkens has done almost everything, starring as a player who was voted onto the Sonics 40th Anniversary Team this year, leading the Sonics to their only championship as a head coach, serving briefly as a general manager and calling Sonics games starting this season as FSN's color analyst. Now, Wilkens adds what might be his most important role. Professional Basketball Club Chairman
Clayton Bennett introduced Wilkens as the new Vice Chairman for the PBC at a press conference held Thursday afternoon.
"I had the great pleasure to meet Lenny early on after the announcement of the acquisition and connected with him, as many have," said Bennett. "He is a very gracious individual, a gentleman and someone who clearly has credentials in the games as significant and impressive as anyone who has been attached to the game. He is a humble man and has been an advisor to me informally as we've gone through this process.
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"I think a new building would be exciting for Seattle in more ways than one. I'm here to help do everything I can to help the franchise be successful."
Terrence Vaccaro/NBAE/Getty
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"It just became clear that, if he was willing and had an interest, his contributions to our efforts, not only in the arena process but in the development of our business and the development of our team, would be very, very valuable."
In his new role, Wilkens will serve as a representative of the Sonics & Storm ownership group, with Bennett pointing out, "I can't be here all the time. We are moving at a fast pace, making decisions every hour and building an impeccable team of professionals on the ground and consultants. We also need someone who is internal to the organization who we can call on to represent us."
While continuing as color analyst, Wilkens will play a significant role in the Sonics community relations and business development efforts. He will be able to use his extraordinary track record as a coach and executive to advise in basketball operations as needed. His most important role, however, will likely come in helping the franchise secure a new arena in the Seattle area. Having the opportunity to help keep the Sonics in Seattle is something Wilkens relishes.
"For me, it's a great challenge but also it's very exciting because the Sonics have a great history in the Seattle area," Wilkens said. "We just got through celebrating 40 years. I think it's been a valuable part of the community. I want to do everything I can to help this club. I think a new building would be exciting for Seattle in more ways than one. I'm here to help do everything I can to help the franchise be successful.
"I'm very excited because this is where I want to live. Seattle is my home. I've been to a lot of places, but we've always made Seattle our home."
Thursday's announcement was the culmination of a process that began, in Bennett's mind, as soon as he met Wilkens for the first time after his group negotiated the deal to purchase the Sonics & Storm.
"I've known of Lenny of course, as a fan and (he as) a player and coach," said Bennett. "I met him and enjoyed his demeanor and his thoughtfulness came across. I thought, 'This is an individual who will bring value to our business.' His relationship with the community and his regard in the community is first-rate."
"We talked several times," explained Wilkens of the process. "I wanted it to be something meaningful where I could contribute and use my abilities, my knowledge. The more we talked, the more I liked."
Some of that knowledge will include first-hand experience with nearly every building in the NBA from his coaching career and now traveling with the Sonics in his role as color analyst. Wilkens spoke at the press conference about some of the "exciting buildings" the Sonics & Storm will look to emulate.
"The building I like best of all is the Pepsi Center," said Wilkens. "I think it was a great utilization of space, of amenities. They can have hockey there as well. They meet all the requirements for a successful NBA franchise. There are several others. America West (Arena) is a good building. I think that Philips Arena is a good building."
Such an arena will require public support, and Wilkens is ready to politic on the Sonics & Storm's behalf when the legislative session begins in Olympia next year.
"Why not?" he said when asked by media about that possibility. "I know some of those people. I used to go down there a lot. I don't mind it at all. I think that you've got to have dialogue with people. So much is missed when you don't, when you assume something. I don't want to assume anything. I want to learn everything I can; I want to hear what people have to say."
The addition of Wilkens to the Sonics & Storm management team will not change the positions of Head Coach Bob Hill or General Manager Rick Sund, and Wilkens made it clear he doesn't want to do anything to make them feel uncomfortable.
"I would let them come to me," Wilkens said of how he will handle the relationship with Hill and Sund. "I'm not going to look over anybody's shoulder. I don't think that's right. I think when you hire someone to do a job, let them do it. But they know that I'm there, I'm available. I can help them in any way."
Wilkens hopes the addition of a Sonics icon and Seattle resident to the franchise's management team serves as another sign that the ownership group is committed to staying in the area.
"I'm an optimist," he said. "I think that the ownership has done everything possible, but you've got to take it a step at a time. In building a building, it's not going to be built tomorrow. You've got to build the foundation and go from there. Let's all believe. Let's all get optimistic about it."
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