Seattle SuperSonics

The SuperSonics played in Seattle from its expansion year of 1967 until 2008. That summer, the City of Seattle reached a settlement in its lawsuit and federal court case with Sonics owners. The settlement allowed then-Sonics owner and Oklahoma-based Clay Bennett to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City. Bennett had bought the team in 2006 from then-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. The relocation is considered one of the most messy sports relocations in history.

The city of Seattle kept the team name, colors, logos, and trademarks in case the NBA returns to the Pacific Northwest.