It’s been ten years since the majestic city of Seattle has had a professional basketball team. After the departure of the beloved Sonics for Oklahoma, Seattle has had a gaping hole in NBA basketball entertainment. Though there remains a team in Portland close by, it’s not the same as having a team in your city. Seattle deserves an NBA team more than other cities. Think about the Seahawks and their fan base, with the 12^th man creating noise that can interfere with any opposing team. In addition to that, this devoted fan base makes it daunting for any foe to come in and steal a win. The city of Seattle and its residents are passionate fans and have been longing for a team since the SuperSonics left, and I am right behind them in wanting a professional basketball team back to this amazing city. In fact, a stadium is being renovated in downtown Seattle known as KeyArena in hopes of luring NBA and NHL teams to the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle remains a large metropolitan area without basketball. Think about the olden days for the Sonics in 2007 when Kevin Durant was drafted. This brought hope to a city that was longing for a turnaround in their team. Kevin Durant had the potential to lead this team to a championship if fitting talent was placed around him. Bigger names than myself have also demonstrated passion and motivation to bring the NBA back to Seattle. Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has been outspoken about his desire to lure the NBA to Seattle, joining an investment group and reaching out to fans about the importance and delight that a team would bring to this city. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver did not hold back in saying Seattle was a prime contender to install a team. Due to a large market, Seattle would be a prime destination to lure free agents and potential buyers because of its large companies, big population, and natural elegance. It may bring more revenue for the NBA compared to smaller markets, or teams with low attendance. Most importantly though, it can bring joy and nostalgia to older fans and a sense of new adventures for younger fans. It can bring back basketball night in Seattle, and watching those regular season games live or on TV, with friends and family, such as back when the Sonics were playing.

Though it takes it a lot of processes and analytics to relocate or construct an NBA franchise, all any NBA fan or Seattle fan can do is hope. Seattle is high on the list to receive an NBA team if expansion were to happen. Also, the city of Seattle is working on stadium renovations to sustain the home court of a team. Though the growth of a franchise is not expected for a few years, the NBA is scouting out and deciding any possible locations for putting a franchise. Seattle is expected to compete with Mexico City, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Vancouver, and Louisville for an NBA team, but remains in good shape to stand out. Another possible method is team relocation, though a lot of steps are involved in that. It helps this case because markets such as Sacramento, Memphis, and New Orleans are losing money and have consistently low attendance whereas a bigger market can suffice for money loss and attendance. I would love to see an NBA team in Seattle though I am not a Seattle fan because of how persistently this topic has been circulating, essentially since the Sonics left in 2008. I think it’s fair that a city this large, financially stable, and renowned have an NBA team when smaller, under-achieving markets do. I don’t think any fan base is more needing of a team in the NBA than Seattle, because of their most recent NBA move to OKC that left fans wondering, when will we get a chance again to show how we much care about our team?