The Sonics Are Coming Home: NBA Owners Are About to Make It Official
After nearly 20 years of pain, legal battles, and what feels like a thousand false starts, Seattle is finally on the verge of getting the SuperSonics back. The NBA Board of Governors is meeting in New York on Wednesday, and expansion is on the agenda. And yeah, it's widely expected that Seattle and Las Vegas are about to become the league's next two cities, potentially pushing the NBA from 30 teams to 32. This could actually happen.
The Money Question: How Much Will This Cost?
Here's the thing that makes this feel real: reports suggest expansion franchises could run between $7 billion and $10 billion. That's absolutely massive compared to what Howard Schultz got for the Sonics back in 2006, when he sold them for just $350 million. Clay Bennett then moved the team to Oklahoma City after paying $45 million to break the KeyArena lease, and now the Thunder are valued at nearly $4 billion according to Sportico. The NBA hasn't expanded since 2002, when Charlotte got the Bobcats, which didn't start playing until 2004. Once the board advances the formal expansion process, we should finally get clarity on the timeline, price tag, and any conditions like season ticket drives or revenue sharing requirements.
Seattle Has the Infrastructure Now
This time feels different. Kraken owner Samantha Holloway has already positioned herself for a potential bid by purchasing a majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena and creating One Roof Sports and Entertainment as her umbrella organization. Todd Leiweke, the CEO of One Roof, actually knows how to run professional sports operations. He worked with Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment in Vancouver with the Grizzlies and Canucks, then ran Vulcan Sports and Entertainment overseeing the Seahawks and Trail Blazers while helping develop the Sounders. When asked about Seattle's chances on Monday, Leiweke stayed measured but hopeful: "If you look at the stars, maybe they're aligning."
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Is All In
Seattle's new mayor, Katie Wilson, just three months into her term, issued a statement Tuesday showing full city support. "Seattle is ready to welcome the Sonics home," she said. "We never stopped being a basketball city, and the fans have never given up. You see it in our parks, in our schools, in packed gyms in every neighborhood, and in our Seattle Storm championships. We built a world-class arena. We have a strong economy and a dedicated workforce. We are prepared, we are united, and we are ready for the next chapter of our Sonics."
The ghosts of 2006 still haunt this city, but this time the pieces are actually in place. Wednesday's meeting could change everything.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.