As 1000’s of die-hard Seattle SuperSonics followers watched (or in some instances refused to look at) the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder play their strategy to the NBA Finals, tempers and nostrils flared.
Ever because the Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves final week to earn the appropriate to play the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 championship, Seattleites who skilled the glory days of the SuperSonics have been rightfully stewing over how the Thunder received there; to not the finals, however to Oklahoma.
Skilled sports activities have two sides — the leisure facet, with athletes entertaining the followers, and the enterprise facet. And after 41 years of entertaining Seattle basketball followers, the enterprise facet seemingly gave Seattle the center finger when the franchise was bought and moved to Oklahoma Metropolis. Company and native authorities selections performed into the transfer as nicely, and the identical would be the case ought to Seattle turn into one of many two cities anticipated to land a franchise if the NBA expands this summer season.
To those that have been wishing and ready for a SuperSonics return, seeing the Thunder simply seven video games from being topped the most effective NBA workforce is an excessive amount of to abdomen. It’s like Seattle is the sufferer of identification theft and nationwide sports activities media is applauding it as they mix the Sonics’ success with the Thunder’s.
However for individuals who nonetheless rock the Sonics gear and might recite the superb stats by coronary heart, there’s hope.
Seattle is a metropolis that thinks of its prospects after which acts.
“The Indy-Oklahoma Metropolis recreation developing simply stimulates individuals’s response to how they really feel in regards to the workforce,” Mayor Bruce Harrell mentioned. “The sport type of reminds us of what we don’t have.”
However what Seattle does have is Local weather Pledge Enviornment, main firms that can doubtless assist a workforce, family incomes among the many highest within the nation, nonprofits that may welcome community-team relationships, different profitable skilled sports activities and a fan base thirsting for a basketball workforce.
“We now have carried out greater than sign to the league that we’re stadium-ready (Local weather Pledge) and the commissioner is making it clear their curiosity in us. He is aware of we’re a very good market,” Harrell mentioned.
As followers reminisce about yesteryear and yearn for the return of the Sonics, it’s greatest to do not forget that the sports activities world and leisure typically has modified tremendously in 17 years. What would a brand new Sonics franchise and fan expertise appear like? The probabilities are countless and value pursuing.
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