Seattle SuperSonics Not Returning Anytime Soon
By Todd Pheifer
Feb 5, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive answer questions from the media during halftime of the game between the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Fans of the Seattle SuperSonics have been patient as they wait for their beloved team to return. Unfortunately, they may need to wait awhile longer.
New NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently stated that the league does not have plans to expand. While he said some nice things about Seattle, the fine folks in the Emerald City should not expect to welcome their team back in the near future.
This is understandable because the NBA should not be thinking about expansion at all. If anything, the league could probably afford to cut a few franchises.
The quandary for Seattle fans is that they do not necessarily want to steal a franchise and cause the same pain that was exacted on the Pacific Northwest. If Seattle is going to get a team, it seems reasonable to assume that many fans would like to start fresh. Clay Bennett stole the SuperSonics. Why do the same thing to another community?
While fans in Seattle wait for the team to return, the NBA is more than happy to use Chris Hansen and his enthusiasm as leverage. Anytime the league feels like a city needs to upgrade their arena through public money, they can indirectly threaten the possibility of relocation.
Clever, don’t you think?
Meanwhile, Chris Hansen must wait. Unfortunately, he may have to wait for several years. It would appear that Adam Silver will carry on David Stern’s legacy for now. Stern clearly had some bad feelings for the Seattle area, and for now the SuperSonics remain in the archives.
Someday, the Seattle SuperSonics will return and it will be triumphant. For now, patience must be maintained.