Sometimes you need a little perspective in the business world, mostly to remind yourself that everyone is still human, no matter what their station or salary in life. Even sec geek-related news can offer perspective (e-Discovery).
Seattle is in the midst losing its NBA team, the Seattle Supersonics. The new owners bought the team in 2006 and have maintained that they are operating in good faith with the city of Seattle and simply not able to come to a compromise. The owners want to move the team to, of all places, Oklahoma. Recently obtained emails paint a far different story.
Here is an exchange between Clay Bennett and Tom Ward. Clay Bennett is now a co-owner of the Supersonics, parks his arse as chairman in a couple places to do with energy, and a previous co-owner of the San Antonio Spurs. Tom Ward appears to be a billionaire of something or other to do with energy and also a co-owner of the Supersonics.
“Is there any way to move here [Oklahoma City] for next season or are we doomed to have another lame duck season in Seattle?” Ward wrote.
Bennett replied: “I am a man possessed! Will do everything we can. Thanks for hanging with me boys, the game is getting started!”
Aubrey McClendon, a minority owner of the Supersonics (and a CEO blah blah blah also involved with energy) sent this email to Bennett and Ward shortly after purchasing the team:
…McClendon celebrated the news with the subject line: “the OKLAHOMA CITY SONIC BOOM (or maybe SONIC BOOMERS!) baby!!!!!!!!!!”
Of course, if you’ve ever managed a mail server in any fashion you have certainly seen the lameness that passes through email exchanges. Hell, I’m sure my own missives include plenty of lowbrow sludge. But still, it is always refreshing to see such eloquence from important business people who have more money at their fingertips than I will ever have a chance to have, writing in a way that makes me want to crack open a Busch Light and watch South Park after class with my other hand in my sweatpants.