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

In this All Sports History video we'll look back at what happened to the Seattle SuperSonics after Howard Schultz sold the team to Clay Bennett, and accused him of lying about his true intentions of moving the team away.

Here's what this "Seattle SuperSonics History" video covers:

The Seattle SuperSonics were the first major professional sports team in Seattle, and were a huge part of the sports scene in the pacific northwest. So what exactly led to Sonics leaving Seattle, the city they called home for 40 years? In today’s video we’ll take a look back at how the sale of the team turned sour, after one side claimed that the other fraudulently misrepresented themselves over their true intentions of moving the team away.

We'll also look back at some Seattle SuperSonics highlights throughout their history, such as how the name was influenced by Boeing's SuperSonic transport plane. Then we'll go through playoff runs of the late 1970's and through the mid 1990's, featuring matchups like the Seattle SuperSonics vs Washington Bullets, and the Seattle SuperSonics vs Chicago Bulls. Finally, we'll see how the team's legacy has has been preserved with the Oklahoma City Thunder allowing the city of Seattle to keep the Sonics 1979 NBA championship trophy, banners, and retired jerseys.

What did you think about the SuperSonics moving to Oklahoma City and becoming the Thunder? And what’s one of your favorite memories of the Sonics? Let me know in the comments below!

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

[coryhowerton]

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.

[wraynephew]

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

[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]

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!

[unappealingundesirable]

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

[allsystemsgo]

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

[wojciechdeja]

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.

[jeremyweber]

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.

[Crosbyever]

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

[Prnce]

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

[unappealingundesirable]

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.

[sfgmen]

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

[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!

[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

[mryup]

I want the Seattle Supersonics to come back.

[nm]

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.

[PERCANGLE]

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 😂

[bhrisooo]

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

[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.