Clay Bennett (businessman)
Clayton Bennett | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 14, 1959 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, sports team owner |
| Known for | Chairman of Professional Basketball Club LLC (Oklahoma City Thunder) |
Clayton Ike Bennett (born November 14, 1959) is a prominent American entrepreneur and serves as chairman of the Professional Basketball Club LLC, the entity that owns the Oklahoma City Thunder, an NBA team that was previously known as the Seattle SuperSonics. He also heads Dorchester Capital Corporation, headquartered in Oklahoma City, and held the position of chairman for the Board of Regents at the University of Oklahoma from 2011 until 2019.
Early business career
During the mid-1990s, Bennett held a partial ownership stake in the San Antonio Spurs and acted as the team's representative on the NBA Board of Governors. Prior to the 2005–06 NBA season, he collaborated with Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy, Tom L. Ward from SandRidge Energy, G. Jeffrey Records Jr. of MidFirst Bank, along with officials from Oklahoma City and the state government, to guarantee revenue for the New Orleans Hornets. This arrangement facilitated the Hornets’ temporary move to Oklahoma City for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans’ arena and infrastructure.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Bennett leads Professional Basketball Club LLC (PBC), based in Oklahoma City, which owns the NBA franchise known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team was acquired from Howard Schultz in 2006 for approximately $350 million after previously operating as the Seattle SuperSonics. Initially, Bennett committed to retaining the franchise in Seattle contingent upon public backing for a new arena. When efforts to secure $500 million in public financing for a suburban arena failed, he informed the NBA on November 2, 2007, of his intention to relocate the team to Oklahoma City. On March 21, 2008, Bennett publicly announced plans to transfer ownership of the franchise.
The relocation was approved by NBA owners on April 18, 2008, subject to ongoing legal disputes concerning lease agreements and claims to rescind the purchase. On July 2, 2008, Bennett's ownership group reached a settlement with Seattle authorities, permitting the franchise’s move to Oklahoma City.
On April 15, 2011, Bennett was appointed chairman of the NBA's relocation committee. Later, on May 15, 2013, he took part in a board vote that resulted in a 22–8 decision against relocating the Sacramento Kings to Seattle.
Personal life
Bennett is married to Louise Gaylord Bennett, daughter of Edward L. Gaylord, a notable media entrepreneur from Oklahoma City. The couple met during their high school years and have three children together. The Gaylord family formerly owned a minority share in the Texas Rangers baseball team before selling their interest to George W. Bush. Politically aligned with the Republican Party, Bennett leads a task force dedicated to criminal justice reform aimed at alleviating jail overcrowding in Oklahoma City by prioritizing funding for mental health services and addiction treatment programs.