SEATTLE – "We've all been lied to."

That was Gov. Chris Gregoire's reaction when she read the news. Nine e-mails made public Thursday suggest Sonics majority owner Clay Bennett and his co-owners have been planning for more than a year to move the team to Oklahoma City – all while Bennett was insisting that he was still committed to finding a solution to keep the team in Seattle.

The City of Seattle is using the uncovered e-mails as evidence in an upcoming court battle to keep the Sonics through 2010 -- evidence city officials believe shows that the Sonics owners intended to move the team all along despite their promises to negotiate in good faith.

On July 18, 2006, it was announced that former Sonics owner and Starbucks head Howard Schultz was selling the team to the ownership group led by Bennett.

Just ten days later, an e-mail from minority owner Tom Ward to fellow minority owner Aubrey McClendon says "Is Clay or Jeff choking yet? I can see where the minority guys also fade if they believe 'we are staying there.'"

Days after state lawmakers last year rejected Bennett in his bid to build a $500 million publicly-financed Renton arena, the owners e-mailed openly in April of 2007 about moving the team.

Ward asks, "Is there any way to move here for next season or are we doomed to have another lame duck season in Seattle?"

Bennett responds. "I am a man possessed! Will do everything we can. Thanks for hanging with me boys, the game is getting started!"

Ward responds, "That's the spirit!! I'm willing to help any way I can to watch ball here (Oklahoma City) next year."

AP

Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett smiles as he holds up a Seattle SuperSonics NBA basketball jersey that was presented to him by fomer Sonics owner Howard Schultz in Seattle Tuesday, July 18, 2006.

Publicly, Bennett maintained a different stance, especially after McClendon said in an August 2007 story in The Journal Record that the owners didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle.

Bennett told KING 5 News, "(McClendon) wasn't speaking for me, wasn't speaking for our ownership group. Very unfortunate timing, but it's not in keeping with my belief and feeling it's not keeping with what I've attempted to do and continue to do."

Bennett reiterated that stance by e-mail to NBA Commissioner David Stern, saying "Aubrey (McClendon) and I have NEVER discussed moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City, nor have I discussed it with ANY other member of our ownership group."

Spokespeople for both Clay Bennett and the NBA had no comment when contacted by KING 5 News.

"I've been lied to. All the people of the State of Washington have been lied to. I'm shocked and I'm very disappointed," said Gregoire.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who said two days ago that he would vote against a Sonics move to Oklahoma City, says he has no reaction to the news.

Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr says he believes the new revelations strengthens the city's case and hopes the information will cause a U.S. district judge to force the release of e-mails between Stern and other NBA staffers.

Read the rest of the article at http://www.king5.com/sports/stories/NW_041108WAB_sonics_emails_show_moving_intent_TP.541fe0bf.html