Seattle Kraken CEO talks possible Sonics return

As the Seattle Kraken continue their first playoff run, we are hearing from the man who brought the team to Seattle, and headed up the effort to build Climate Pledge Arena. In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview, Kraken president and CEO Tod Leiweke says NBA basketball is coming back to Seattle.

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[theFORCEismyallie]

I'm a Lakers fan and I would like to see the Sonics back in the NBA. Seattle should never have lost their team to OKC in the first place.

[rentfree]

Worked on the arena, from a big hole in the ground until it was built. Blueprints have large spaces(currently empty rooms) labeled as “NBA locker rooms” both home and away. They absolutely planned on the SuperSonics returning.

[derpy.]

Once Seattle comes back, those games against the Thunder are gonna be FUCKING LOUD

[bballmm]

Not an NHL fan but will support the Kraken for making the return of the NBA in Seattle a possibility.

[scottbogen]

I went to a game this season where the CEO spoke to the crowd, “We’re gonna bring the Sonics back to Seattle.” He may have been playing to the crowd a little, but it felt like there was no uncertainty in his voice.

[tahuyachris]

I'm grateful Tom brought hockey to Seattle! I am now a hockey because of the Kraken! I hope the Sonics come back soon.

[ChesterWilsonJr]

Bring the Seattle Supersonics back to the NBA next season

[dr]

i will buy season tickets immediately i can’t wait

[jesphermacaliag]

Im a Supersonics fan because of NBA 2k, I'm a Filipino, and i want the Seattle Supersonics back in NBA! Man i want them back so bad, please make it happen Adam

[MrBreezeLI]

Not even from Seattle but bring them back baby!! The world is a sucker for a story about wrongs being " righted" 👊🏻

[dreamcage]

Sonics will be back in the NBA in the 24-25 season after the NBA decides to return to NBC.

[GenX_US_Marine]

It will be the biggest sports comeback in the history of basketball when my Sonics return.

[shermanngjazz]

I would definitely love to work in the Sonics front office when the Sonics return in the future!

[carljustinenuestro]

Laker fan here, I was still disappointed that what happened when the Sonics were “moved” to OKC because of an owner who actually want to keep in Seattle but instead, he moved the team to his hometown. I tell you what, I was 4 years old back then when the Sonics are “leaving” Seattle. I just wanna say for those beloved Sonics fans out there, I hope that your beloved team will return to the NBA one day and we were gonna bring back our rivalry during the 1980s and 1990s. If the Cleveland Browns did that when they “moved” to Baltimore and they return in 1999, the Sonics should also do that if the NBA wants to return to Seattle.

[zakykemal_]

Let's Goo! Bring back the Sonics!!

[Melbester]

Knicks fan here, Sonics need the team back. NBA, get this franchise back in Seattle. The league is more fun when they're around.

I'm glad the NHL gave Seattle Kraken their expansion team and they're doing very well in playoffs as a second year team. TV deal with NBA expires next year and NBC will attempt to bid & bring back NBA on NBC again.

You guys are glad to have a caring and wonderful CEO who cares about the Kraken team. Now with Climate Pledge Arena built, Seattle can get the Sonics back.

I watched the documentary Sonicsgate a long time ago and I know everything how Clay Bennett betrayed the Sonics and took them to OKC his hometown and NBA wanted the team out of Keyarena for a modern NBA venue and the city government couldnt get funding for it.

My older brother grew up watching 90s NBA and had a Shawn Kemp sneaker. Sonics coming back once the rest falls through and NBA expansion in future.

[JustAddMovement]

I’m 38yo been a Seattle SuperSonics fan since the age of 8, 1993 til Infinity ! I still got my 1998 tickets against the Denver Nuggets, unfortunately we traded Shawn Kemp for Vin Baker, but still got to watch the Glove, Sam Perkins, Detlef, Hawkins, Nate… what an era 🥹

[Us]

We’ve be hearing this shit for years smh ever since they took the sonics

[davidnguyen]

Sonics fans. I will be waiting on that beer, kind sir.

(Now, how can I afford season for both the Kraken AND the Sonics?!) 😅

[studentofthesaviors.o.s]

Sonics are so wanted that even other diehard fans of other teams would want sonics back. Enemies and rivals of Seattle even want the sonics back... It's only right