Why is there no more Seattle Sonics?
After failing to find public funding to construct a new arena in the Seattle area, the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City before the 2008–09 season, following a $45 million settlement with the city of Seattle to pay off their existing lease at the KeyArena at Seattle Center in advance of its 2010 expiration.
Why did the Seattle SuperSonics change their name?
When the Seattle Supersonics were moved to Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season, fans voted on the team’s new name from a set list of possibilities. The name Thunder was chosen over others like the Bison, Wind, Energy, Marshalls and Barons (per Mentalfloss.com’s Scott Allen).
Why is there no Seattle NBA team?
Seattle has been without an NBA team since the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder. The move, which was made over Seattle’s refusal to build a new arena, was polarizing at the time given the Sonics’ rich history and Seattle’s standing as a passionate basketball city.
When did the Sonics stop being a team?
2008
The Seattle SuperSonics NBA team played in the league from 1967, till they were rebranded as Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.
Will NBA ever go back to Seattle?
Ever since the NBA transformed the Seattle SuperSonics into the Oklahoma City Thunder back in 2008, there’s been a desire to bring a basketball franchise back to the historic location on the west coast. But it won’t be the Thunder.
Is NBA coming back to Seattle?
It’s been widely speculated that any NBA expansion would involve Las Vegas and Seattle as a pairing. Construction on the 850,000-square-foot Las Vegas arena and additional amphitheater is scheduled to break ground next year and finish in 2026 — meaning any expansion to Seattle could potentially be years away.
Will Seattle ever get a NBA team again?
On Wednesday, a league spokesman denied Simmons’ report to NBC Sports, saying “there is no truth to it.” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s job is to be optimistic about things and push for them. He told NBC’s King5 in Seattle he thinks the NBA will expand to his city, but he didn’t put a timeline on it.
How long did the Seattle SuperSonics logo last?
This logo lasted for three seasons from 1972 to 75. But then the SuperSonics stumbled upon arguably their greatest logo, that featured a depiction of the Seattle skyline and a yellow basketball serving as the backdrop. This iconic logo would last for 20 years from 1975 to 1995.
How did the Seattle SuperSonics get their name?
The name SuperSonics was inspired by the SuperSonic transport plane that Boeing was developing in Seattle at the time. Unfortunately mass production of the plane never became a reality, due the government contract being canceled, but the team name stuck anyway.
Where did George Shultz sell the Seattle Sonics?
Even the sale of the team was a struggle, as Shultz preferred to sell the team to a local, Seattle based group, but none panned out. The Sonics were then shopped around to groups from St. Louis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Anaheim, and San Jose before Shultz agreed to sell to an ownership group based out of Oklahoma City.
What stadium did the Seattle SuperSonics play in?
Initially the SuperSonics played at the Seattle Center Coliseum which it was known at the time from 1967 to 1978. The Coliseum originally opened as part of the 1962 World’s Fair exhibition in Seattle, and hosted the Washington State Pavillion. By the late 1970’s, a brand new dome stadium opened across town, known as the Kingdome.