The SuperSonics Could Be Coming Home to Seattle's Most Inclusive Sports City
The NBA is set to vote later this month on expanding the league into Seattle and Las Vegas. Yeah, you read that right. After more than two decades without an NBA team, the SuperSonics could actually be returning to the Emerald City. And honestly? There's no better place in the country for them to land.
Rick Welts Started His Hall of Fame Career Right Here in Seattle
Here's something that might blow your mind: one of the most powerful LGBTQ figures in sports got his start with the SuperSonics. Rick Welts, now the openly gay CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, was born in Seattle in 1953 and worked with the SuperSonics from 1969 to 1979. He didn't publicly come out until 2011, but it's fitting that his half-century career in basketball began in one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities on the planet. The dude literally started as a teenager in Seattle and built a legend from there.
The Storm Kept the Basketball Flame Alive
While the Sonics were gone, the Seattle Storm kept basketball alive in this city. The WNBA team has won three titles since the Sonics left town and has been home to three legendary LGBTQ players: Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd, and Breanna Stewart. The green and gold colors have kept the memory of the Sonics breathing while the Storm carved out their own incredible legacy. The original ownership group that ripped the Sonics from us thankfully sold the team in January 2008 before they bailed on Seattle entirely.
Seattle's Entire Sports Scene Embraces Inclusion
This isn't just about basketball either. The Seahawks sponsored an LGBTQ football league back in 2019. The Mariners' superstar, Julio Rodriguez, wears Pride gear every June to make sure baseball fans in the city feel welcomed. The Kraken brought in the first openly gay head trainer in NHL history in 2024. If the SuperSonics come back, they're joining a city that actually gets it. Seattle's sports culture is built on inclusion, and the Sonics would just add another layer of color to everything we already love about this place.
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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.