WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SEATTLE SUPERSONICS? // DEFUNCT TEAMS: A SUPER QUICK HISTORY OF THE SUPERSONICS

[@coryhowerton1829]

I was the last director of group sales in the history of this team, and lived through this entire nightmare. Howard and Clay are the two worst owners I have ever worked for.

[@Rome6601]

How dare you!. You wouldn't say that to Mr Clay!;;

[@StyloLive]

Sonics were a NBA novelty. Sad to see them go

[@DrLuke49]

​@Rome6601 nobody would have been be able to say anything to Porky Bennett to his face because his head would have been buried in his trough 🐖 🐷

[@J.C...]

I loved the Sonics and I live across the country in Louisiana. That was all thanks to Ken Griffey Jr and me finding his 1990 Upper Deck card in a pack of cards at a local AA baseball game in 1989. It was the most expensive card in the set so I figured he had to be good. So I followed Junior his entire career. I finally got to see him play in person in 2009,iirc, when he came back home. Seattle was playing at Texas and Junior played phenomenally. He went 3-4 wit 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI. It was MAGICAL. I saw like 4 or 5 future HOF'ers at that game. Junior, Ichiro, another Mariner, Pudge Rodriguez, and at least 1 more person for Texas. I forget who. It was incredible. It was because I found that card that I followed the Mariners. And it's because I loved Seattle that I followed the Sonics and eventually came to love them, too. Kemp & Payton and Detlef were my guys. I even had a Shawn Kemp jersey, back when everybody wore NBA jerseys in the mid to late 90s. Back when Starter jackets were the thing. I even had a bad azz Sonics Starter jacket! Wish I still had it. I got a Mariners one later. Wish I still had it, too. And the Atlanta Braves Starter I had. Man I miss those.

[@J.C...]

I remember. It was KING FELIX. He was there that night, also. God, it was magical. I had gone to A game at Texas earlier in the Season but Junior sat out that game so I didn't see him play that day. So I went back with another friend a month later. Thank God I took my best friend this time. In the 3rd inning, as we sat along the 3rd base line surrounded by Rangers fans, he disappeared for like 20 or 30 minutes. When he came back, he grabbed my arm and said "come on!". So I follow him...as we walk down behind home plate and sit in a huge group of Mariners fans. We were maybe 20 feet from the field. I couldn't believe it. Standing at the fence, I could almost touch Ichiro and Junior when they were in the batters box. Unbelievable. One of the greatest nights of my life. The rain started around the 7th inning. We had ponchos so we sat in our seats and kept watching while most people left the game. They played the entire game out. You could see us on TV in our yellow and orange ponchos lol. God it was fun. And I wouldn't have ever followed the Sonics had I never found that Griffey Jr baseball card in a pack of cards at that AA baseball game in 1989. That team used to be the farm team for the SF Giants. Now they're the Rangers AA team. I saw a lot of players come through that ended up in MLB. The most well-known being Boston Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli, who was knuckle ball pitcher Tim Wakefield's personal catcher. Man I miss following sports in Seattle. That was the mid to late 90s. 🙁 I was a totally different person at the time. Wish I could go back...

[@wraynephew6838]

The best uniforms in the league. I missed Seattle Supersonics. I hope they bring them back

[@AllSportsHistory]

Hey Sports Historians! **CORRECTION** Ray Allen was NOT on the 2012 Heat team that faced the Thunder, he would later join the next year 2012-2013. My bad, sorry! Also wanted to mention the Metropolitans (PCHA) were the first pro team in Seattle, but the Sonics were the first modern pro team of the current major leagues. What did you think about the SuperSonics moving to Oklahoma City and becoming the Thunder? Let me know!

[@WDI2008]

You also forgot to mention the actual Oklahoma City businessman responsible for the purchase of the Seattle Supersonics-Ed Evans.

[@AllSportsHistory]

@@WDI2008 yeah for sure, Evans was more under the radar in terms of his involvement. So I made the call to just keep it condensed to the main players so to speak in the drama around the sale. But you’re totally right, and there’s always room for a follow up video!

[@WDI2008]

@@AllSportsHistory Yeah Evans actually did have ties to Seattle.

[@AllSportsHistory]

@@WDI2008 There’s an interesting article about him, they literally describe him as a “ghost” no one knows much about haha. www.theringer.com/2019/11/7/20952774/sonic-boom-ed-evans-wally-walker-seattle-supersonics-oklahoma-city-thunder-sale

[@WDI2008]

Also public funding had already been used to build T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field.

[@rexpresto]

Growing up near Seattle, the Sonics were the first pro sports team of any kind I ever cared about and loved. It remains a crime that David Stern allowed the Sonics to be stolen, and then, out of spite, actively worked to ensure that the Kings wouldn’t be sold and moved to Seattle. Never forget. Never forgive.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah I have a feeling the NBA will be expanding soon, and it there’s a lot of interest in giving Seattle another team. So fingers crossed it happens sooner than later!

[@rexpresto]

@@AllSportsHistory I hope it’s sooner. Like any good, and bitter Sonics fan, I never speak the name of the city that got the Sonics, nor the name the team took. To me, it doesn’t exist.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Oh yeah I totally get it, that city is dead to you haha.

[@ericdelong4227]

I hear you Rex. I hope the team that *was* the Sonics NEVER wins anything, and the new team in Seattle beats them in the playoffs 50 straight years.

[@zeedeejay242]

S.O.S. slaughter "?our?" SONICS.... I remember little sonic scratch tickets at gas stations.... free drinks, and gas.... X-man for 10 free anything.... I quit b-ball when the NBA refs gave an NBA record free-throw during the finals... putting the bulls to the line over 40 times... most calls were "questionable " 1 of the refs was a now known cheater.... after that, dead to me....

[@allsystemsgo8678]

I can't believe a 54 year old Patrick Ewing didn't lead them to a championship.

[@razkable]

trading ewing ruined the knicks for the next decade so...

[@Redshirt434]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@zeedeejay242]

40yo Ewwwing....

[@terrenceliburd8655]

Funny guy. Sheesh!

[@Rome6601]

Unbelievable shocking

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

I was born in Seattle in 1973. I used to be SO embarrassed, that ALL three of our teams shared the same arena (The Kingdome): The Sonics, Seahawks, and Mariners. By contrast, when I was younger, I saw, for example, that the Denver Nuggets played in McNichols Arena, the Broncos played in Mile High Stadium. True, you can't play basketball at an outdoor Mile High Stadium in the winter, but you get my drift. Now, Seattle has an embarrassment of RICHES, with Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park (the current names of the Seahawks and Mariners stadiums), AND Climate Pledge Arena for the Seattle Kraken!

[@Seriously_Unserious]

I generally prefer a league to take whatever reasonable steps they can to keep a team alive and in their original city. Moving should really be a last ditch effort to keep a franchise alive in the event staying in their current location is just so untenable they're unlikely toexhausted

[@Matt-cr4vv]

From a fan perspective I know that if a team in my city relocated I’d be really pissed about it. And I imagine if I was an owner who could stay in my location and pay for a new arena on my own or relocate to a city that’s ready to renovate it stadium or build a new one for my team paid for by the taxpayers while I get to pocket all the money I’d probably choose the same thing. The only owners that are going to be considering taking way lesser deals than being thrown their way to stay in a location is from owners with long term ties and emotional attachment to the city. Bennett and co wanted $500M and a brand new arena to stay in Seattle but when Seattle didn’t want taxpayers to fund the thing he accepted way less money to renovate the stadium in OKC and that isn’t a shock considering the ownership group were all deeply tied to OKC. But the thing that always happens with these relocations is owner wants a new stadium and wants the public to fund it. The city says no so the owner somewhere that will give them what they want. And then after losing the team and having tons of pissed off fans the same city will raise way more money and publicly finance something so they can get a new team. It’s almost without fail that you see hypo owner want $300N, city stands firm in moral superiority that they won’t use public money for this, owner leaves and the city and fans are all super mad. Then in the future to try and get a team again they’ll spend 2-3x the amount to entice a team to relocate or try to get an expansion team when they could have just raised a fraction of it and never lost their team.

[@spacerazer]

The Seattle Metropolitans hockey team was the first professional sports team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) from 1915 to 1924. During their nine seasons, the Metropolitans were the PCHA's most successful franchise, as they went 112-96-2 in their nine years as a franchise. Won the Stanley Cup in 1917. They took on Montreal Canadians in the 1919 final which was tied after 4 games but canceled due to influenza. They lost in the 1920 finals. The Metropolitans folded in 1924 when a replacement for the Seattle Ice Arena could not be found.

[@jeremyweber8874]

Sonics we’re my first love as a kid in 1994. What people didn’t realize is how the team could’ve stayed if the Seattle would’ve renegotiate the lease it had. If the city and state would’ve approved the new arena there would’ve been a great chance that clay Bennett would’ve sold the team to ballmer. NBA never should’ve intervened like they did. David Stern hated Seattle and for all money reasons wanted the team in OKC.

[@michaelleroy9281]

That was David Stern's Oklahoma City Blunder

[@taylordunekacke5784]

The 75-95 logo was 🔥🔥🔥

[@TropicUniform27]

Heck yeah, I actually liked the new age logo of the 90s too. Didnt like when they went back. Its a shame that team with Kemp Payton Schrempf etc never won. They were awesome, so many good teams ran into the bulls.

[@squidMB]

My Canadian bias would much rather have Vancouver come back, but they would never return without them getting the grizzlies name again. Seattle needs a team again and whenever the NBA does an expansion they’re the #1 option for expansion, with my other team going to louisville. Hopefully expansion is announced soon!

[@Crosby4ever]

I hope Seattle gets their team back now that a new arena is built that I'm pretty sure can used as a basketball team home too

[@michaelleroy9281]

@Destination: 10 Ft It was built so it's NBA ready if they get a team

[@wojciechdeja9459]

Great vid, thanks a lot! Just a side note, in the 1996 playoffs the 1. round was a best-of-5 series. The Sonics didn't sweep the Kings - in fact they lost one of the home games, thus lost the home court advantage and got a little bit nervous for a minute. Fortunately, they nailed it in SacTown.

[@AllSportsHistory]

My bad, I should have clarified I meant that they beat them in 4 games in a best of 5. Glad you liked the vid, thanks for the heads up!! :)

[@MMajchrowski]

I’m absolutely floored but awed by the second team logo, the 1971 one, with Seattle Super Sonics written in what looks more like a tennis ball. It’s so unbelievably poor & lazy but brilliant that when the team comes back they’ve gotta use it as a secondary logo

[@AllSportsHistory]

Haha agreed, not sure what they were going for with the second logo. It’s like they created a less imaginative version of the Pistons or Lakers logo.

[@Dman425]

That was the style in the early 70’s

[@carljustinenuestro8771]

@@AllSportsHistory or maybe the old sixers logo during the Dr. J era or maybe Barkley era as well.

[@mryup6100]

I want the Seattle Supersonics to come back.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Me too!

[@hotdogwater7037]

its gonna be a while for Seattle to afford another expansion team. they just spent a billion for the kraken

[@robertwesley4416]

Yeah. Supersonic dream dude. Forget it. Basketball sucks now. Just watch old Sonic games. That's no bad dream !

[@DrPhilsStache]

@@hotdogwater7037 Maybe they'll get money from hosting a plethora of upcoming major sporting events.

[@1sfgmen]

9:56 back in 1996, the first round play off is still a best of 5 series, the King won game 2, but lost the next 2 game at home, and Sonic move on eventually to the NBA final

[@robertboyes2505]

I hope the Sonics do return to Seattle, because, of the games between Sonics, and the Blazers, were crazy, and so was the freeway traffic on I-5, and 205, during Sonics and Blazer games. The only time you traveled on the two freeways, was during the Sonics, and, Blazers games, was during game time, or way before game time in either city. I knew Clay Bennett was lying, when he said he was going to keep the Sonics in Seattle, when he bought the Sonics, because, he wanted to move the Sonics, to Oklahoma the whole time, during the deal with Howard Schultz. David Stern wasn't well liked when he allowed the Sonics move from Seattle to Oklahoma.

[@vinceniederman]

Schultz Took Responsibility As Well Saying “The Sale Of The Sonics Was The Biggest Regret of My Professional Life I’m Forever Sorry”!

[@midwestking6080]

Not surprised Paul Allen said no to the move. Portland is all alone up there in the PNW. Vancouver and Seattle both lost there’s . Would’ve been a great rivalry.

[@youtuber3328]

it's nice to meet you and the blazers and sonics have had multiple elite teams and the 1977 blazers led by bill walton weren't as elite the 1979 sonics who were coached by lenny wilkens

[@willvintage3505]

They were rivals. Though their down periods often coincided with the others up period. Paul Allen was also the owner of the Seahawks

[@PERCANGLE412]

I’m not from seattle but I lived there for 8 or so years after the Sonics were gone and I have friends who to this day refuse to consume Starbucks products. 18:26 that man right there seriously hurt some people 😂

[@youtuber3328]

it's nice to meet you and to be COMPLETELY honest i'm speaking in general when i say throughout life you have to do and say what's necessary for reasons that vary NO MATTER HOW BADLY IT EMOTIONALLY HURTS and/or OFFENDS OTHERS seriously period no questions asked AT ALL

[@BlairthePreacher]

Ray Allen wasn't on the 2012 Miami Heat. In 2012, he was still on the Boston Celtics. He signed with the Heat in the summer of 2012.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yep I mentioned the correction in my pinned comment at the top :)

[@youtuber3328]

it's nice to meet you and please tell me do you have any favorites in particular in basketball history because to be COMPLETELY honest i really LOVE hakeem olajuwon almost as much as kareem abdul-jabbar wilt chamberlain and bill russell

[@markrabinowitz7070]

I find it very interesting that the NBA generally honors sales of teams to owners who say they will make efforts to keep the teams where they are (Clay Bennett with the Sonics and Michael Heisley with the Vancouver Grizzlies), then fight against sales to those who are honest by stating their intentions to move the team right from the start (Bill Laurie with the very same Grizzlies; in 1999, he entered into an agreement to buy that franchise with the intention of moving it to St. Louis, but NBA commissioner David Stern wanted Laurie to restructure his deal to provide assurances he would try to keep the Grizzlies in Vancouver, and Laurie subsequently terminated the deal). Another thing, too--I was angry at Clay Bennett for demanding that Seattle pony up $300 million for a new $500 million arena--that was nearly triple what Oklahoma City spent to renovate theirs ($121 million). That was a serious double standard to me.

[@RyanManke]

its so ridiculous, stern should of done more.

[@Silverswooosh]

I honestly believe if the supersonics kept Kd, Westbrook, and potentially Harden. They definitely would of stayed and won maybe more rings. Moving the team to OKC was just a bad move imo

[@youtuber3328]

it's nice to meet you and if you feel like it please give me your comparisons of the 1988 mavs 1992 blazers 1996 sonics and 1997 heat

[@bhrisooo]

I wish we still had a team, Seattle has changed so much in the last decade

[@AllSportsHistory]

The NBA will expand soon, it’s just a matter of time. Seattle should be top of the list.

[@downtownhoopsnz5017]

100%!

[@charismatic9904]

For the worse. Libtard usa.

[@primoxxl71]

@@AllSportsHistory I am "guessing" 2023-2024. It would not surprise me if they make an announcement for expansion this summer.

[@primoxxl71]

@@charismatic9904 agreed

[@mbry1]

As soon as Clay Bennet bought the team it was GLARINGLY obvious that he had absolutely no intention of attempting to save the team

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

7:50 In 1991, when I was only 18, I asked my roommate from Denver, "How did a Nuggets team with Dan Issel, Alex English, and Kiki Vanderveghe, who all scored 20+ ppg, not win more?" I later came to realize, the same could be asked of me, since I was born in Seattle in 1973, "Why didn't a team with Tom Chambers, Dale Ellis and Javier McDaniel, who all scored 20+ ppg, win more?" Defense, or lack thereof. And teamwork and team chemistry, in the Sonics case.

[@Trash_owo]

The editing is fire

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you!!

[@charismatic9904]

I say 1998 was the beginning of the end. Firing Karl. Signing Mckilvaine Which angered Kemp leading to trading him.

[@WDI2008]

Jim McKilvaine has been called the apple in Garden of Eden among Sonics fans.

[@deweyharris1373]

It’s such a bittersweet moment for me watching this knowing I’m a diehard fan of both teams

[@razkable]

if only they were healthy in 2005..they probably make the finals maybe win it all...that team was loaded...prime ray and lewis as an elite duo from outside luke at his best playing the pg position antonio daniels with his experience and leadership plus vladmir stretching the floor and flip murray's instant offense nick collison playing smart hard and fast as a big with damien off the bench being able to hit a three as well as backup bigs like reggie jerome and either fortson or vitaly for rebounds and screens/post ups...they were a complete team going 11 deep some nights 12 for that era..imagine if they got rid of all those kinda space eating backup bigs like vitaly fortson swift and instead had wings that could shoot in their place to fill in for lewis ray plus make murray and daniels play sg less..they would of been even better...

[@MrAce-lm8es]

The Sonics Era that I remember the most: Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, and George Karl.

[@NWJonathan]

Kemp, Payton, Perkins, McMillan, Asknew, & George Carl. 🦾🚀🏀🖤🌲

[@idbuyanewbmx]

Man this show is so well put together! Nipples Magazine? LMAO

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@sportstalkeli]

Love how they became a title contender right after they left Seattle the one thing that could of saved them from leaving Seattle 😂

[@AllSportsHistory]

Haha if only it was like the Mariners, who beat the Yankees in ‘95 and it basically saved the franchise.

[@razkable]

it took them 2 years too become a contender after leaving for okc...2007-2009 they were a joke...2010 they lost in round 1...2011 they were seen as a 2nd round team at best going into the playoffs but got to play the 8th seed grizzlies instead of the 1 seed 61 win spurs in round 2 and barely luckily got past them because of a 3 ot game and a lucky game winner otherwise they lose to the 8th seed grizzlies and they lost in 5 to the mavs so...

[@jerolddaleske3966]

You do know that Bennett ran the Sonics into the damn ground right?? Traded Ray Allen for a 2nd round pick and Wally Szczerbiak. Traded Rashard Lewis for a 2nd. Cut all community ties to the city Bennett is a POS. Plain and simple and Stern isn't much better

[@PERCANGLE412]

Shouts out to mark cuban, always loved him as an owner. He knew what was right and also RIP Paul Allen great owner as well. Man owned the blazers Seahawks and stakes in the Sounders. These two have true passion for sports.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Oh It's True It's True.

[@sean70729]

Paul Allen had a heart of gold always helping people out constantly.

[@bjtgaming]

Well Cuban wouldn't want another team in his market, so I don't think he cares

[@stevefischer9336]

Mark Cuban - Indiana U and Jason Kidd have made the Mavs so exciting this year too bad Luka is injured. Sonics are still my al -time fav NBA team

[@nm93932]

I lived in OKC around 2012 and I fell in love with the fandom for OKC thunder. It is a small market, but the fans are loyal. Coming from Los Angeles and being a Lakers fan, I was amazed that on game nights at work and most businesses, they would have the radio on to hear the games. People would keep each other updated on the games. Lol when the lakers came to OKC I they didn't hate on my Laker gear...after all...game days we could bring our teams Jerseys. Eventually I became a Thunder fan....mostly a Sam Presti fan. I do hope the Seattle Sonics get a team.

[@ryanhynes2505]

How has this channel not been noticed?

[@AllSportsHistory]

Haha hopefully soon! Trying to get the word out :)

[@williamford9564]

I remember the two duels between the Sonics and the Bullets in 1978 and 1979. It was an intense struggle but both teams and their players played with class. That was a total contrast to the NBA by the time of the Sonics Bulls finals when hoodlums like Rodman had taken over the game, Gary Payton was trash talking and setting records for technical fouls and Shawn Kemp instead of being a "role model" was going around getting six women pregnant outside of marriage and skipping out on child support payments.

[@fogalicious2644]

So fascinating how they've renovated that arena so many times, and everytime they just dig deeper and deeper.

[@tk9839]

The Sonic had some real legends associated with the team: Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Kevin Durant, Chambers, Ray Allen, Ewing, etc...

[@tonyarceneaux286]

3:16 My favorite Seattle Supersonics logo.

[@aaadj2744]

3:29

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Thank you All Sports History for giving this a ❤️ .

[@James-mz7tv]

Havent watched a basketball game since. At first it was due to disappointment and a sort of 'boycott,' but then the years just piled up. It sucked losing them. They were the only semi-affordable pro team my broke ass parents could ever afford to take us to, bless them.

[@marcorruption5449]

This is an incredebly well made video/documentary! Major props to you, I really enjoyed this one as well as your video about the Houston Oilers. I subscribed and will look forward to more of your videos!

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you!! I appreciate the sub, so glad you enjoyed the videos!

[@jeremycrandall2899]

How can you say this is “incredibly well-made” when he doesn’t know how to correctly say the years of an NBA season and gets Oscar Robertson‘s name wrong??? As John McEnroe would say, “You cannot be serious!”

[@Redhotlugnut]

Dude, you've worked so hard on these is awesome. I can't wait for my first issue of 'Hard Nipples' magazine to arrive in the mail! Lol, I love how all of these ownership groups approach the municipal or state level governments to plead for them to spend tax dollars on stadiums and arenas. I mean compared to some of the moronic spending projects governments spend on it can be a no brainer. But the fact of the matter is that if it was a great investment, these ownership groups would build and pay for one themselves and keep all the money it's supposed to generate. Unfortunately, these stadiums rarely make money, most of the time losing money because of the lack of tenants and ability to rent out to cover the operating costs along with servicing their debt. Yes they provide secondary jobs and residual revenue for other businesses but overall they're not a great investment.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks! Yeah it’s definitely wiser to try and convince private businesses to help fund and build an entertainment complex around the stadium with shops and restaurants. That way the arena/stadium is busy all year round even during the off-season.

[@Redhotlugnut]

@@AllSportsHistory Yeah, in recent years they've figured this out that having just an arena there isn't feasible. In Vancouver there's BC place that's just this huge stadium and nothing much else to it. They did GM place better as it's got some residual businesses beside. In Ottawa Corel Center was out in the suburbs but nothing close by of any significance. They're building new arena right on the edge of the city with the rail system going adjacent. These are both ice hockey and the season is relatively long with a solid 8 months of use. With Football isn't a very long season maybe you can get 6 months out of it? Lots of teams practice away too so they're just paying for game use. Anyway, I love the stadiums. I'm just glad I'm not footing the bill for it. Maybe if I was Bezos then what the hell.

[@djLagwayEnjoyer]

As a subscriber to “Hard Nipples Monthly”, I remember that cover photo fondly

[@danangell5482]

20:50 This is not accurate about purchasing the rights to the Sonics' name, logo, colors and history. The settlement between the City of Seattle and the Bennett ownership group explicitly states that if a new NBA team takes up residence in Seattle, the Thunder must transfer the rights to the name, logo and colors to the new Seattle team at no charge. The Thunder technically own the rights to the Sonics name, logo and colors, but it doesn't do them any good because they can't profit off any of it and the minute a new NBA team arrives in Seattle, those rights instantly become the property of the new Seattle team.

[@Vagab0nd011]

This channel is great and the history research is awesome. Great Job!

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@vinceniederman]

@@AllSportsHistory I Told My Mom That I Watch These Vids As a Sports Fan in General Also I Miss The Seattle Super Sonics As a 76ers Fan!

[@DrLuke49]

The irony is that somewhere in an alternate universe the Sonics were bought and kept in Seattle by Steve Ballmer while Porky Bennett purchased and moved the team formerly known as the Los Angeles Clippers to that cow pasture of a NBA city. The late David Stern was totally a huge player in the Sonics relocation. Seattle needs the Sonics back NOW 🏀

[@WarioSaysSo]

I still miss the Seattle SuperSonics. To be honest, I just can't stand the Oklahoma Thunder - there replacements. There was NO REASON to move the team and trash it like Thunders did. So I will never respect that franchise.

[@rockvilleraven]

Fun Fact: The Seatle Supersonics were the first oppenent for the Bullets at the openinng of the Capital Centre on December 2, 1973 and they the played the same team on that date, when they took on the Washington Wizards on December 2, 1997 openinng up the MCI Center in Downtown DC.

[@rockvilleraven]

@Air Aspie The reason both teams opened up new arenas in the DC area was that Bullets/Wizards at the time Abe Pollin was head of the scheduling committee for the NBA

[@michaelleroy9281]

For that one season only they were the Capitol Bullets changed to Washington the following year

[@WDI2008]

Thanks for doing a video about the Seattle Supersonics finally!

[@AllSportsHistory]

No problem, hope you enjoyed it!

[@downtownhoopsnz5017]

Facts!

[@truckermikemct1]

"Hard Nipples Monthly". Freakin' hilarious!

[@marcusanderson933]

I'm sure the NBA regrets allowing Seattle to leave now that neither Durant, Westbrook and Harden are no longer playing with OKC.

[@razkable]

crazy how the sonics left with a title and a finals appearance in the mid 90's

[@MrAce-lm8es]

1977 - 78 - Sonics/Bullets I 1978 - 79 - Sonics/Bullets II A modern day Thunder/Wizards Showdown

[@DanHintz]

minor correction: at 4:30 you mistakenly say oscar robinson, when you (of course) mean oscar robertson. that said, great job on all these videos. really well done.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah I flubbed his name, my bad! :(

[@timoconnor8520]

Man, how badly did it just CRUSH my ass when Seattle lost he Sonics?! Don't think I'll ever get over it.

[@vinceniederman]

@All Sports History I Hope The NBA Brings Back The Super Sonics As a New NBA Expansion Team in The Future For The City of Seattle Only Time Will Tell Someday Since Seattle Already Has The NHL’s Kraken As The New Team!

[@robertfinn9433]

#19 Lenny Wilkens best sonic and a class act. Thanks coach your a legend.🏀

[@MidKid61]

You need to do the Buffalo Braves, San Diego Rockets, Cincinnati Royals and original Charlotte Hornets.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yep those are all on my to do list!

[@michaelleroy9281]

And 3of those cities haven't got another team to this day

[@vinceniederman]

I Hope The City of Seattle Gets a New NBA Team in The Future and I Remember The Super Sonics Before They Moved To OKC!

[@SkaterTE]

When football season is over , we need another team to cheer on expect for the krakens and Sounders . Bring it back!

[@JosePerez-sy2jc]

Don't forget yalls Mariners

[@sorney98]

I honestly believe it was best for NBA to stay out of it. OKC has worked out and they usually get good players through the draft so it will be a matter of time before they get going again. But I honestly see the NBA adding 2 more teams, one to the east and 1 west to bring back the Super Sonics. The team in the east, who knows who it will be but I see an expansion of 2 more teams very soon.

[@kelleycondon6504]

in 05 they had Rashad Lewis and Ray Allen but Rashad didn't play in the playoffs due to a sore foot or something,

[@MrSpecialone0848]

I wish the major US sports leagues would implement rules to not allow teams to relocate. Rules that would put pressure on team owners to provide proper arenas/stadiums that also limited the amount of allowable tax dollars to fund them. It shouldn’t be the citizens of the city paying for 40-60% of a stadium or its renovations when they’re the ones funding the entire operation to begin with. I feel for Sonics fans as I’ve lived through the same thing with the Houston Oilers.

[@retroguy1976]

seattle def needs a nba franchise again

[@jasonharris1636]

12:21 "Hard Nipples Monthly" BRILLIANT! Cheers, Mate! 🇦🇺🍺🥩🇦🇺🍺🥩🇦🇺🍺🥩

[@Albert8044]

For future episodes, how about what happened to the Minnesota North Stars and why they moved to Dallas.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah that would be a good one! It’s definitely on my to do list :)

[@Albert8044]

@@AllSportsHistory As a lifelong Detroit Red Wings fan, I miss the North Stars when they played in Minnesota and playing in the old Norris division.

[@AllSportsHistory]

I can imagine, and North Stars is just a much better name than “wild”. Too bad they can’t use it.

[@michaelleroy9281]

After 41 years it's sad how the NBA just let the team just up and leave Seattle since 2008 when they left they are not even close to getting another franchise back

[@vinceniederman]

Shame The City Has Not Come Close Yet But a Rumor is That Seattle May Get a NBA Team in The Future!

[@michaelleroy9281]

​​@vinceniederman Talk is cheap it's been 16 years the NBA is doesn't seem to be in a real rush to return to Seattle

[@degustationsdeseattle]

I wish for the NBA to come back to Seattle and Vancouver, Canada too.

[@vinceniederman]

Your Not The Only NBA Fan Who Wants The NBA Back in Seattle Washington Being a 76ers Fan on The East Coast!

[@bigbird7838]

Kemp should be in the hall of fame !!!

[@EnigmaticVayne]

Actually I believe that the ownership of OKC has the trophies and banners. I heard that in a interview with the creators of Sonicgate. If a new team moves to Seattle, they will get the name. But they would have to share the history with OKC. It's possible those terms are now void though and OKC keeps the history

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah my understanding is that OKC does own the history, trophies, and banners but they’re “lending” them out to the city of Seattle for display purposes. OKC has shown they have very little interest in celebrating the Sonics past, as they choose not wear championship patches that all NBA teams can wear if they’ve previously won a championship. My guess is OKC would be very open to selling back the Sonics history at the right price, when a new team comes a long.

[@EnigmaticVayne]

@@AllSportsHistory Much like the Oilers to Titans transition. Ownership won't sell the rights in that case though. I really dig your videos. Hope you do one covering the Ravens/Browns ordeal

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks!! Yeah Browns/Ravens is definitely a topic on my list!

[@ronpeacock9939]

when are cities going to learn... the best way to keep a team in town... MAKE THEM AN OWNER OF THEIR ARENA/STADIUM... when they own it, they can't/won't walk away from it. Another team that should never have been allowed to leave. The only things worse... The cleveland browns.. and Brooklyn Dodgers/NY Giants... (Brooklynits still sting over that move)...

[@daviddeveloper44]

Excellent video. What tools did you use to make these edits?

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks so much! I use Adobe Premiere and After Effects for the intros :)

[@daviddeveloper44]

All Sports History thank you. It may be easier to coop on a project. I do research and graphics, you do putting it together. Thoughts?

[@DrGonzoChronic]

Interesting you see the 75'-95' as the Seattle skyline with a yellow basketball as the backdrop. I always saw it as Seattle inside a yellow basketball globe.

[@tylerriley2587]

Still to this day the 1994 upset still haunts Sonics fans nowadays

[@vinceniederman]

The Way That Team Lost To Denver Was Shocking!

[@tylerriley2587]

@@vinceniederman But after the loss the rockets cruised all the way to the finals in 94 because they always had trouble with the team. When Otis Thorpe and Carl Herrera were on the roster, they could guard Kemp well to make him work for his points. But after they left and the rockets and sonics met again in 1996 in the playoffs, the Rockets didn't have a PF who could rebound and play very good defense on Detlf and Kemp the entire series, and they took advantage of Chucky and Robert that's why next year they got Charles to try and beat the Sonics

[@vinceniederman]

@@tylerriley2587 True and Seattle Did Lose To Chicago in 96 NBA Finals As Well 2 Years Later!

[@tylerriley2587]

@@vinceniederman You remember what Clay Bennett did to the Sonics, and Stern just allowed it he didn't make no attempts to try and keep the sonics from leaving town but the league and Kevin Johnson did everything to prevent the Kings Sacramento Kings from leaving

[@Draichnyr]

So, the relocation of the Sonics represented a paradigm shift for the NBA and their relationship with markets. The relocation was ugly, shady as fuck, even. David Stern was a vindictive prick, and when the Washington State legislature didn’t bend to his wishes, he took it personally. He learned that Seattle was a useful bludgeon for teams in need of new arenas "pony up the cash for a new arena, or we'll move your team to Seattle." What's how the Kings, Bucks, and others all got their shiny new arenas on the public dime. We all knew that even while Adam Silver took over as Commissioner, so long as David Stern lived, there would be no professional Men's basketball in Seattle. Ever since that move from Seattle, there have been very few relocations in the NBA. It may seem like they are charitable, but small markets are easier to exploit with the threat of relocation. It's why most recently, OKC voters approved a measure to fund a new arena on 99% public money. They are publicly funding an arena for a billionaire.

[@CGMedia2023]

Moral to the story, never elect democrats, (or NDP in Canada,) if your teams are on shaky grounds. EVER.

[@squidMB]

Looking like with all these rumours of expansion nowadays it’s looking clearer & clearer Seattle and Vegas are getting nba teams. Only question is when they’ll announce it. Hopefully this offseason!

[@mas2913]

Seattle deserve to have an NBA team. I mean Portland, Memphis, New Orleans and not Seattle? Mind-boggling.

[@MrBadjohn69]

Yeah, we need more entitled athletes in this area. Richard Sherman with his anger management issue in the middle of the night.

[@charismatic9904]

Fun fact. 1994 almost had BOTH #1 seeds lose. Seattle lost. Atlanta narrowly got by the Heat 3 games to 2. With Miami leading the series 2-1. Before the Hawks took the next 2.

[@alo.5141]

Ray Allen was NOT on that 2012 Heat squad...

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yep that’s my bad, he was on the Celtics and later joined the Heat. Got ahead of myself there.

[@phillipmorales8886]

That's sad that the Sonics moved to OKC and was renamed the Thunder. Very stupid move by the owner.

[@adrianwalsh6751]

I never knew that Bill Russell was the coach for the sonics ,but when they won the N.B.A. championship 🏆 they had a great team !!!!Dennis Johnson,Gus Williams

[@bjnt922]

Now that the Minnesota Timberwolves ownership situation is settled, I would estimate that between 23 and 25 we’ll see a return of the SuperSonics via expansion.

[@AllSportsHistory]

I hope so, it will happen sooner than later!

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Considering how eventful the T'wolves have been since their exception, they should be the ones relocating to Seattle. Just saying...

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Wolves ownership situation has been settled in 2024 Glen Taylor remains the sole owner

[@Vagab0nd011]

I'm a Bulls Fan for life but damn bring back the Sonics!!!!

[@vinceniederman]

Agreed and I Hope Seattle Gets Another NBA Team Someday in The Future!

[@barontaylor7139]

There was talk of the Sacramento Kings moving to Seattle a few years ago

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah the Maloof family wanted to sell, and were open to selling to a group who’d move them to Seattle. But David Stern was having none of it and stepped in to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

[@RYMAN1321]

@@AllSportsHistory Arguably the worst owned team in the league 70 years of failure and counting

[@de132]

I think the Sonics are inevitably going to return to the NBA with the Climate Pledge Arena having basketball configurations part of the construction plans (and the WNBA's Storm sharing the building). The problem is, it'll probably be via expansion and the NBA hasn't found a viable 32nd franchise. There are markets without a NBA team that have a NBA viable building (Vegas? KC? Fantasy wish: Montreal?), and realignment in the NBA is easier with Memphis being in the West for no good reason.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah it depends on the city, Nashville is a decent market but I’m not sure how big an NBA team would be there? They could get drastic and scrap the whole East-west thing and just do two conferences with both East and west teams like the NFL and MLB.

[@cellardoor9196]

New drinking game: take a shot for every "however" and "due to."

[@AllSportsHistory]

HOWEVER you get drunk make sure it’s DUE TO watching my videos 😎

[@skiprockjr.6881]

At 7:06 Draftkings uses the same music for their blackjack games.

[@stevenbauer4799]

Do a what happened to the Buffalo Braves video. And Arod bringing the T Wolves to Seattle with Key renovated (once again). With lv and St. L, kc, and Louisville as nba expansion possibilities.

[@youtuber3328]

they won the next two games by 21 and 11 before losing 87-75 in game 6 but they held michael jordan to 27.3 points per game

[@ErlingEra]

BRING ‘EM BACK!!🟢🟡

[@ErlingEra]

@@vinceniederman couldn’t agree more, my entire family and large populations all over the PNW were devastated when they stole our Super Sonics away from us!

[@vinceniederman]

@ErlingEra The Super Sonics Should Had Never Moved While OKC Should Had Gotten Their Own Team Instead!

[@techi9]

I think stern made silver promise even after death to deny seattle a team

[@AllSportsHistory]

Damn Stern haunting Seattle from beyond the grave, that would be crazy haha.

[@techi9]

@@AllSportsHistory if you think about it...why hasn't it been discussed since they're rehabbing key arena. Supposedly 18k+ for basketball now. But....if they have the Allstar game there in the next 5 years that's a good sign

[@michaellewter8671]

The NBA has reiterated a few times that once they sign as new media rights deal , the first thing on the agenda is the announcement of expansion. That deal ends at the end of the 2024-25 season. I am totally sure Seattle will get an expansion franchise and with this timeline I would say by..2026-27 the NBA will be back in Seattle. The biggest advantage of the whole situation is that there is an More than adequate Arena in place for them to play at. I've already been to Climate Pledge Arena a couple of times and it will be a fantastic venue for the team and the fans. You're just going to need the time to put a franchise together properly like the Kraken did. It'll be nice that Seattle will have teams in all five major sports like it should...Be patient.. The long wait will soon be coming to an end...

[@brandanfiedler9124]

Seattle is NOT getting the Minnesota Timberwolves! Period! The city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Timberwolves spent $140 million to bring Target Center up to modern NBA arena standards. At least Seattle will have an NHL franchise, the Seattle Kraken.

[@Dman425]

A good in-depth documentary about this story is called SonicsGate which is also on KZbin

[@hotdogwater7037]

theres a recent add-on the hall of fame bulls players from the dynasty years- toni kukoc

[@cousinbabu8911]

Good video, keep it up 💪🏾

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@duckypuckluck]

I'm watching this video again because of the recent expansion rumors

[@Phoenix-pm2qr]

11:00 Of course Jordan isnt great when someone of talent guards him, yet, his Super Team bails him out...

[@michaelleroy9281]

In the 1996 NBA Finals they gave the Bulls and MJ a scare before falling in 6 games

[@peterjermyn5785]

Too bad the team didn't get sold to someone local.I think Seattle will get a team eventually the fans deserve one

[@vsocarras27]

Ray Allen was not part of the 2011-12 Miami Heat squad that beat the OKC Thunder in 2012 NBA Finals 4-1 at the time he played of the Boston Celtics he did the joined the Miami Heat a year later for the 2012-13 NBA season

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah it’s my bad, I mentioned the correction in the top comment.