Here’s a little more information on Sonics Fan United, the group that paid to have an airplane banner that will say: "Stop Clay - Sonics must stay !"

The group was started in part by Jeremy Ward, a 37-year old fan of the Sonics who came up with the idea on this message board on SonicsCentral.com.

Ward said within two hours of proposing the idea to fly the banner, $700 had been pledged, and within a day it was up to $1,000. The group now has raised $1,800, more than enough to pay for the banner, and is looking at doing other things locally to keep the issue prominent in the news.

Ward estimated that about 40 people have donated from $10 to $200.

“We really want to try to get that message out there that we are going to make some noise here because we do care,” Ward said. “And we think it’s important to keep eyeballs on this issue and to keep people aware of it.”

Ward said the spark that got the group’s attention was Dallas owner Mark Cuban’s comments he made to Sonics beat reporters, including The News Tribune, that played nationally. Cuban questioned whether Seattle even wants the team to stay.

"People were angry about that," Ward said. "Just that fact that he literally said we don’t care enough really got people riled."

Ward also was involved in getting an airplane banner that said "Go Sonics, Fire Wally Walker" to fly over KeyArena on Jan. 26, 2006.

After flying the banner during the All-Star break in New Orleans, Ward said another thing the group may do is fly a flag at the top of the Space Needle. Ward said the group has contacted folks at the Space Needle and is working on getting it done.

"We feel really empowered," Ward said. "It’s like people feel kind of helpless when someone comes out of town and wants to take our team away. Obviously we don’t have the ability to be involved in this monetarily."

However, it’s Ward’s hope that if his group stays involved and shows people care about keeping the team in Seattle, then perhaps local political and business leaders will become more involved.

"This team is a 41-year legacy and a big part of our culture, despite what (Seattle city council member) Nick Licata said," Ward added. "And we need to fight for it."

For more information on the group you can send an email to sonicsfansunited@yahoo.com