Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson, who grew up attending local SuperSonics games and went to basketball camp run by legendary coach Lenny Wilkens, held a brief introductory meeting with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. At the meeting he offered assistance should the league decide to expand and return a basketball team to Seattle. For the city, the SuperSonics — who existed from 1967 — were more than just a sports club: they became a symbol of civic pride and identity, helping to establish Seattle as a major sports and cultural center. Their 1979 championship and such legends as Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp entered local folklore, uniting a diverse population and creating a shared history. After the team’s move in 2008, the SuperSonics remained a nostalgic symbol of the “old Seattle.”
The meeting took on particular significance in light of the commissioner’s December remarks that the league plans to make a decision on expansion by 2026, with Seattle and Las Vegas being considered primary potential markets. Silver emphasized that the league is conducting a thorough evaluation of those cities and does not want to create false expectations among fans, although talks of expansion have been ongoing for several years.
The infrastructure for an NBA return to Seattle is already in place: Climate Pledge Arena, renovated in 2021, was originally designed to accommodate a basketball team in addition to the hockey Kraken and the WNBA’s Storm. Most of the Kraken’s owners, including Samantha Holloway, have repeatedly expressed willingness to participate in a project to bring the NBA back if the league decides to expand. Today’s approach to funding sports facilities in Seattle, as exemplified by this arena, has changed dramatically: it is now based mainly on private investment with limited use of public money. This reflects lessons learned from the painful experience of losing the SuperSonics.
The recent meeting symbolizes improved relations between state officials and NBA leadership compared with the contentious situation 20 years ago that ultimately led to the SuperSonics’ move to Oklahoma City. At that time, tensions arose among elected leaders, team owners and commissioner David Stern over funding a arena renovation. The conflict began with the owners’ demand for a new arena funded in part by the public, which city officials and state legislators rejected, fearing risks to taxpayers. That experience has made Seattle residents highly wary of using public funds for such projects. Now, thanks to more constructive dialogue and new funding approaches, a repeat of past mistakes is being avoided.
Based on: Gov. Bob Ferguson has a chat with NBA commissioner Adam Silver