About 6 million people in Seattle are losing a basketball team and for the first time since 1967 the city of Seattle will be without a professional basketball franchise.
The Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City leaving behind the team name the green and yellow colors and taking on a whole new look and feel. The Sonics are leaving Seattle after winning one championship in 1979 under the coaching of Hall Of Famer Lenny Wilkins and the play of Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma and Gus Williams.
In 2006, the Sonics were sold to an investment group led ClaytonBennett , who said the team would stay in Seattle if a new arena complex was built. Yet, in August 2007, Sonics co-owner Aubrey McClendon announced publicly to The Journal Record that, "we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here." After receiving a private warning from NBA commissioner David Stern, Bennett responded, assuring Stern that, "As absolutely remarkable as it may seem, Aubrey and I have NEVER discussed moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City, nor have I discussed it with ANY other member of our ownership group."
Well that proved to be true.
The New Sonics owners will be paying at least $45 Million for the move and as much as $75 Million in total when all is said and done.
Couple of names being thrown around for the team name my personal favorite right now is the Oklahoma City Outlaws. Has a nice ring to it.
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