What happened to Seattle SuperSonics? Story behind the team relocating to Oklahoma in 2008

Seattle SuperSonics NBA team played in league from 1967, till y were rebranded as Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. This week's Last Dance featured 1995-96 SuperSonics team with stars like Gary Payton. However, after episodes aired, fans took to Twitter to ask 'What happened to Seattle SuperSonics?' and 'When did Sonics move to OKC?'

team is third NBA franchise to relocate in 2000s and h multiple lawsuits filed in its name before NBA 2008-09 season. Here is what happened to Seattle SuperSonics and when did Sonics move to OKC.

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When did Sonics move to OKC? What happened to Seattle SuperSonics? 

In July 2006,  Aubrey McClendon, his Chesapeake Energy co-founder Tom Ward and Clayton Bennett orchestrated a deal to buy Seattle SuperSonics NBA team (along with WNBA's Storm) from Starbucks founder Howard Schultz for $350 million. In a letter written to Schultz, Bennett stated that y did t want to relocate eir team and were willing to stay in Seattle if y were able to 'negotiate an attractive successor venue and lease arrangement'. group were in negotiations with town of Renton in Washington, but Washington legislature did t put up taxpayer money in 2007.

According to emails released between Bennett, Ward and Clendon, y were happy that team was going to move to Oklahoma. In an Oklahoma Journal-Record article, McClendon stated that y bought team so y could move it to OKC, as it could be great for community despite being a little 'difficult financially'.

Though McClendon was candid, n-NBA Commissioner David Stern let Bennett kw that re would be a 'big fine' for him. In an email to McClendon on August 13, 2007, Bennett was concerned about legal implications his statement could have h and undermined ir basic premise of 'good faith best efforts'. While Stern and Bennett cleared things between m as Stern still reportedly h faith in him, NBA commissioner levied a $250,000 fine on McClendon.

A year later, Schultz filed a lawsuit revolving around 2006 sale. He wanted to sell team to a group who wanted to keep Sonics in Seattle. city of Seattle also sued group as y wanted team to play re for two more years. 

However, by time lawsuits were filed, Oklahoma City voters h approved $120 million in tax incentives to help develop ir downtown arena along with building a new facility. A 15-year lease was negotiated between Sonics and Mick Cornett, who is a former newscaster. Later, OKC threatened Schultz with a lawsuit if he tried blocking or preventing deal.

He withdrew his lawsuit in 2008 as he thought showing everyone Bennett group lied was t eugh. move to Oklahoma did help team, as teams value reportedly jumped from $268 million to $329 million in 2011. 

What happened to Seattle SuperSonics? SuperSonics NBA highlights

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SuperSonics mascot

SuperSonics mascot was named 'Squatch'. Between mascot's debut in 1993 and team's relocation in 2008, Squatch appeared in over 175 events per year. After team moved to OKC, character was retired and is w a part of Seattle's intellectual property after lease settlement. character's performer, Marc Taylor, w performs as Thunder's 'Rumble Bison' as his contract continued after relocation. 

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