The SuperSonics Are Coming Home to Seattle, and This City is Ready
The NBA is about to vote on bringing basketball back to the Pacific Northwest, and if it happens, Seattle is going to get its SuperSonics back. This isn't just about basketball returning to the Emerald City. This is about a franchise coming home to one of the most LGBTQ-friendly sports cities in America, and honestly, the timing could not be better.
A Legendary Connection That Started It All
Here's something that might blow your mind: the openly gay CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, Rick Welts, got his start in professional basketball right here in Seattle with the SuperSonics. Welts worked with the Sonics from 1969 to 1979 after being born in Seattle in 1953. He didn't come out publicly until 2011, but there's something fitting about one of the most powerful LGBTQ figures in sports launching his half-century career in one of the most gay-friendly cities on the planet.
The Storm Kept the Flame Alive
When the SuperSonics left Seattle two decades ago, the WNBA's Storm stepped up and kept basketball alive in this city. The team has won three WNBA titles and been home to three legendary LGBTQ players: Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd, and Breanna Stewart. The Storm's green and gold colors have kept the memory of the Sonics alive while building their own incredible fanbase. That's the foundation the Sonics will be building on when they return.
A City That Walks the Walk
Seattle's other sports teams aren't just talking about inclusivity either. The Seahawks sponsored an LGBTQ football league back in 2019. Mariners superstar Julio Rodriguez rocks Pride gear every June to make sure baseball fans in the city feel welcome. The Kraken hired the first openly gay head trainer in NHL history in 2024. When the SuperSonics come back, they'll be joining a sports community that actually lives its values.
This isn't just about expanding the NBA. It's about bringing the SuperSonics home to a city that has proved it's ready to support them, and to a community that's waiting to welcome them back with open arms.
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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.