OKLAHOMA CITY -- Former Seattle SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz has filed a lawsuit that could threaten the team’s long term future in Oklahoma City.

Schultz sold the team to Clay Bennett in 2006, but claims Bennett did not act in good faith in his attempts to keep the Sonics in Seattle. His suit asks to nullify the sale or force Bennett to base the team in Seattle.

Schultz could ask the court for an injunction to keep the team from playing in Oklahoma City this fall, but his attorney doesn’t plan to do that.

A source close to Schultz told KOCO that he wants Seattle investors, including Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer, to put a bid together to buy the team if Bennett’s purchase is invalidated. A possible injunction could hamper the search for new owners, the source said.

The lack of an injunction means the team will almost certainly play in Oklahoma City next season. But a Schultz legal victory could possibly bring the Sonics back to Seattle’s KeyArena for 2009-2010.