Seattle SuperSonics

NBA team
color1 = #ffd321
color2 = #005f30
name = Seattle SuperSonics

imagesize = 120px
conference = Western
division = Pacific (1967–2004) Northwest (2004–2008)
founded = 1967
folded = 2008
coach = n/a
owner = n/a
General Manager = n/a
affiliate = n/a
history = Seattle SuperSonics (1967–2008) Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–present)
arena = KeyArena (1967–1978, 1985–1994, 1995–2008)
Kingdome (1978–1985)
Tacoma Dome (1994–1995)
city = Seattle, Washington
colors = Green, Gold and White
color box|#005f30 color box|#ffd321 color box|white
league_champs = 1 (1979)
conf_champs = 3 (1978, 1979, 1996)
div_champs = 6 (1979, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005)
web = supersonics.comThe Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1967 until 2008. The team relocated to Oklahoma City as the Oklahoma City Thunder. The SuperSonics nickname, logo and color scheme will be made available to any future NBA team in Seattle. [http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/breaking/story/403595.html] According to the team's new owners, the Sonics' franchise history will be "shared" between the Thunder and any future Seattle team. [ [http://www.nba.com/sonics/news/print_article.html#article_faq080702 Supersonics.Com News ] ]

The SuperSonics won the NBA Championship in 1979 and were one of two teams of the five major men's professional sports teams in Seattle — the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Pilots, the Seattle Metropolitans (who won the 1917 Stanley Cup), the Seattle Seahawks, and the SuperSonics — to have won a championship.

Sam Schulman owned the team from its 1967 inception until 1983. It was also owned by Barry Ackerley (1983–2001) and the Basketball Club of Seattle, headed by Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz (2001–2006). In 2006, the SuperSonics were purchased by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett. After failing to reach agreement on a new arena in the Seattle area, the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City before the 2008–2009 season when they reached a $45 million settlement with the city of Seattle to pay off the team's lease with KeyArena early.cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008030229_sonitrial02.html | title=Sonics, city reach settlement | work=The Seattle Times | date=2008-07-02 | accessdate=2008-07-02]

Franchise history

Beginnings

On December 20, 1966, Los Angeles businessmen Sam Schulman and Eugene V. Klein and a group of minority partners were awarded the NBA franchise for the city of Seattle. Schulman would serve as the active partner and head of team operations. Named the SuperSonics after Boeing's recently awarded contract for the SST project (later canceled), they were Seattle's first major league sports franchise. Beginning play in October 1967, the SuperSonics were coached by Al Bianchi and featured All-Star guard Walt Hazzard and NBA All-Rookie Team members Bob Rule and Al Tucker. The expansion team stumbled out of the gates with a 144-116 loss in their first game, and finished the season with a 23–59 record.citation | last = Andrieson | first = David | title = Sonics ushered Seattle into the big time 40 years ago Saturday | newspaper=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer | year=2007 |date = October 13, 2007 | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/335376_originals13.html] Hazzard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks before the start of the next season for Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens brought a strong all-around game to the SuperSonics, averaging 22.4 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game for Seattle in the 1968–69 season. Rule, meanwhile, improved on his rookie statistics with 24.0 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. The SuperSonics, however, only won 30 games and Bianchi was replaced by Wilkens as player/coach during the offseason.

1970s

Wilkens and Rule both represented Seattle in the 1970 NBA All-Star Game, and Wilkens led the NBA in assists during the 1969–70 season. Early in the 1970–71 season, however, Rule tore his achilles tendon and was lost for the rest of the year. Wilkens was named the 1971 All-Star Game MVP, but the big news of the season came when owner Sam Schulman managed to land American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year and MVP Spencer Haywood following a lengthy court battle (see "Haywood v. National Basketball Assn."). The following season, the SuperSonics went on to record their first winning season at 47–35. The team, led by player-coach Wilkens and First Team forward Haywood, held a 46–27 mark on March 3, but late season injuries to starters Haywood, Dick Snyder, and Don Smith contributed to the team losing eight of its final nine games — otherwise, the 1971-72 team might very well have become the franchise's first playoff team. The following season, Wilkens was dealt to Cleveland in a highly unpopular trade, and without his leadership the Supersonics fell to a 26–56 record. One of the few bright spots of the season was Haywood's second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, as he averaged a SuperSonics record 29.2 points per game and collected 12.9 rebounds per game.

The legendary Bill Russell was hired as the head coach in the following year, and in 1975 he coached the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time. The team, which starred Haywood, guards Fred Brown and Slick Watts, and rookie center Tommy Burleson, defeated the Detroit Pistons in a three game mini-series before falling to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games. The next season, the SuperSonics traded Haywood to New York forcing the remaining players to pick up the offensive slack. Guard Fred Brown, now in his fifth season, was selected to the 1976 NBA All-Star Game and finished fifth in the league in scoring average and free throw percentage. Burleson's game continued to strengthen, while Watts led the NBA in both assists and steals and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team. The SuperSonics again made the playoffs, but lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in spite of strong performances from both Brown (28.5 ppg) and Burleson (20.8 ppg) during the series.

Russell left the SuperSonics after the 1976–77 season, and under new coach Bob Hopkins the team started the season dismally at 5–17. Lenny Wilkens was brought back to replace Hopkins, and the team's fortunes immediately turned around. The SuperSonics won 11 of their first 12 games under Wilkens, finished the season at 47–35, won the Western Conference title, and actually led the Washington Bullets three games to two before losing in seven games in the 1978 NBA Finals. Other than the loss of center Marvin Webster to New York, the SuperSonics roster stayed largely intact during the off-season, and in the 1978–79 season they went on to win their first division title. In the playoffs, the Supersonics defeated the Phoenix Suns in a tough seven game conference final series to set up a rematch with the Washington Bullets in the finals. This time, the Bullets lost to the SuperSonics in five games to give Seattle its first, and so far only, NBA title. The championship team roster included the powerful backcourt tandem of Gus Williams and Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, second year All-Star center Jack Sikma, forwards John Johnson and Lonnie Shelton, and key reserves Fred Brown and Paul Silas.

1980s

The 1979–80 season saw the SuperSonics finish second in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Lakers with a strong 56–26 record. Fred Brown won the NBA's first three-point shooting percentage title, Jack Sikma played in the second of his seven career All-Star Games for Seattle, Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were both named to the All-NBA Second Team, and Johnson was also named to the All-NBA First Defensive Team for the second consecutive year. The SuperSonics made it to the Western Conference Finals for the third straight season, but lost to the Lakers in five games. It was the last time that the backcourt of Williams and Johnson would play together in SuperSonics uniforms, as Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the start of the 1980–81 season and Williams sat out the year due to a contract dispute. As a result, the SuperSonics fell to last place in the Pacific Division with a 34–48 mark, so far the only time they have ever finished in last place. Williams returned for the 1981–82 season, and Seattle managed respectable 52–30 and 48–34 records during the next two years.

In October 1983, original team owner Sam Schulman sold the SuperSonics to Barry Ackerley, initiating a period of decline and mediocrity for the franchise. 1984 saw Fred Brown retire after playing 13 productive seasons, all with Seattle. His career reflected much of the SuperSonics' history to that time, having been on the same team roster as Rule and Wilkens during his rookie season, playing a key role on Seattle's first playoff teams, and being the team's important sixth man during the championship series years. In recognition of his many contributions to the team, Brown's number was retired in 1986. Lenny Wilkens left the organization following the 1984–85 season, and when Jack Sikma was traded after the 1985–86 season, the last remaining tie to the SuperSonics' championship team (aside from trainer Frank Furtado) had been severed.

Among the few SuperSonics highlights of second half of the 1980s were Tom Chambers' All-Star Game MVP award in 1987, Seattle's surprise appearance in the 1987 Western Conference Finals, and the performance of the power trio of Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, and Dale Ellis. In 1987–88, the three players each averaged over 20 points per game with Ellis at 25.8 ppg, McDaniel at 21.4, and Chambers at 20.4. In the 1988–89 season, with Chambers having signed with Phoenix, Ellis improved to his scoring average to 27.5 points per game and finished second in the league in three-point percentage. The SuperSonics finished with a 47–35 record, and made it to the second round of the 1989 playoffs.

1990s

The SuperSonics began setting a new foundation with the drafting of forward Shawn Kemp in 1989 and guard Gary Payton in 1990, and the trading of Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel to other teams during the 1990–91 season. It was George Karl's arrival as head coach in 1992, however, that marked a return to regular season and playoff competitiveness for the SuperSonics. With the continued improvement of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, the SuperSonics posted a 55–27 record in the 1992–93 season and took the Phoenix Suns to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.

The next year, 1993-94, the SuperSonics had the best record in the NBA at 63–19, but suffered a humiliating first round loss to the Denver Nuggets, becoming the first #1 seed to lose a playoff series to an 8th seed. After playing the 1994–95 season in the Tacoma Dome the team moved back to the rebuilt Seattle Centre Coliseum, renamed KeyArena for the 1995–96 season. Perhaps the strongest roster the Supersonics ever had was the 1995–96 team, which had a franchise best 64–18 record. With a deep roster comprised of All-NBA Second Team selections Kemp and Payton, forward Detlef Schrempf, center Sam Perkins, guard Hersey Hawkins, and guard Nate McMillan, the team reached the NBA Finals, but lost to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in six games. Seattle continued to be a Western Conference powerhouse during the next two seasons, winning 57 games in 1996–97 and 61 games in 1997–98 for their second and third straight Pacific Division titles. At the end of the 1997–98 season long-time Sonic and defensive specialist Nate McMillan retired.

2000s

Disagreements with management led to Karl leaving Seattle after the 1997–98 season, and the SuperSonics again descended into an extended period of mediocrity. The 2002–03 season saw All-Star Gary Payton traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, and it also marked the end to the SuperSonics 11-year streak of having a season with a winning percentage of at least .500, the second longest current streak in the NBA at the time. The 2004–05 team surprised many when it won the organization's sixth division title under the leadership of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, winning 52 games. During the off-season in 2005, head coach Nate McMillan left the Sonics to accept a high-paying position to coach the Portland Trail Blazers. After his departure, the team regressed the following season with a 35–47 record, missing the playoffs.

On May 22, 2007, the Supersonics were awarded the 2nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, equaling the highest draft position the team has ever held. They selected Kevin Durant out of Texas. On June 28, 2007, the SuperSonics traded Ray Allen and the 35th pick of the 2nd round (Glen Davis) in the 2007 NBA Draft to the Boston Celtics for rights to the 5th pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West. On July 11, 2007, the SuperSonics and the Orlando Magic agreed to a sign and trade for Rashard Lewis. The SuperSonics received a future second-round draft pick and a $9.5 million trade exception from the Magic. On July 20 the SuperSonics used the trade exception and a second-round draft pick to acquire Kurt Thomas and two first-round draft picks from the Phoenix Suns. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943588 Suns gain $8M trade exception by trading Thomas] , posted July 20, 2007]

Relocation to Oklahoma City

In 2006, the Sonics were sold to an investment group led by Clayton Bennett, 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 "Oklahoma City Journal" Record that, "we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here."cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004339103_sonicsheds.html | title=E-mails reveal Sonics owners intended to bolt from Seattle | work=The Seattle Times | author=Jim Brunner | date=2008-04-17 | accessdate=2008-07-01] 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." After an attempt to try to get Washington state and local governments to fund a $500 million dollar arena complex in Renton, Washington, Bennett requested arbitration with the City of Seattle to be released from their lease on KeyArena [cite news | url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9SX5Xx0dG5OJUP1gkLSlwzf-5ag | title=NBA Sonics seek arbitration to escape Seattle lease | work=AFP | publisher=Google | date=2007-09-21 | accessdate=2008-03-26] and notified the NBA that he wanted to relocate the team to Oklahoma City. [cite news | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/337871_arena03.html?source=mypi | title=Bennett says Sonics going to Oklahoma | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | author=Greg Johns | date=2007-11-02 | accessdate=2007-11-15] When the arbitration request was rejected by a judge, the City of Seattle sued Bennett's ownership group to force them to stay until the end of the lease. [> [http://news.justia.com/cases/featured/washington/wawdce/2:2007cv01620/146857/ "City of Seattle v. Professional Basketball Club LLC", "Justia.com"] 9 Oct, 2007.]

During the discovery portion of the city's lawsuit, several emails between the members of the ownership group were found that seemed to indicate they purchased the team with the intention of moving it to Oklahoma City and had never intended on keeping the team in Seattle. The city's attorneys used these emails and the comments by McClendon to argue that the team did not negotiate in good faith with the City. Bennett's attorneys filed a motion accusing the city of duplicity by suing the team to make "the Oklahomans' bleed cash in a hostile media environment" and force them to sell to a local ownership group led by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. [cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004356164_websonics17m.html | title=Sonics owner Bennett fires back at Seattle | work = The Seattle Times | author=Jim Brunner | date=2008-04-17 | accessdate=2008-04-19]

The move for the 2008-09 season was given approval by the NBA Board of Governors pending the outcome of litigation over the lease and ownership of the team. A court session began on June 16 to determine if the Sonics could move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-2009 NBA season or if they must honor their lease with KeyArena and remain in Seattle until 2010. [ [http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sonics/2008/04/david_stern_loves_keyarena.html Sonics | David Stern loves KeyArena *Updated 5:22 p.m.* | Seattle Times Newspaper Blog ] ] cite news | url=http://www.komotv.com/news/17916284.html |title=NBA approves Sonics' move to Oklahoma amid legal wrangling | publisher=KOMO-TV | date=2008-04-18 | accessdate=2008-04-18] On July 2, just hours before the judge was to release her ruling, it was announced that the team and city had reached a settlement, allowing the team to move to Oklahoma City. In exchange for $45 million immediately, the possibility of an additional $30 million in 2013 if a new team has not been found for the city, and leaving behind the team's name and history, the city agreed to release PBC from the KeyArena lease.cite news | author=Johns, Greg| url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/369313_trial03.html | title=Sonics headed to OKC for $45 million settlement | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=2007-07-02 | accessdate=2008-07-02]

Following the revelation of the emails between the current ownership group, former owner Howard Schultz filed a lawsuit to have the court take control of the team citing fraud and misrepresentation in buying the team and for breach of contract after the purchase, since the contact stated that Clay Bennett must make an effort to keep the team in Seattle. [cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004349361_schultz15.html | title=Howard Schultz plans to sue Clay Bennett to get Sonics back | work=The Seattle Times | author=Percy Allen | date=2008-04-15 | accessdate=2008-04-15] Schultz's lawsuit was not included in the settlement between the city and PBC. On August 29, 2008, Schultz decided to drop the lawsuit because he no longer believed that he could win the case due to the fact that his request for bifurcation was denied and that the NBA was granted its request to intervene in the case. [cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2008147307_webschultz29.html | title=Schultz withdraws lawsuit on sale of Sonics | work=The Seattle Times | author=Percy Allen and Jim Brunner | date=2008-08-29 | accessdate=2008-08-29]

eason-by-season records

Home arenas

*KeyArena (formerly Seattle Center Coliseum) 1967–1978, 1985–1994, 1995–2008
*The Kingdome 1978–1985
*Tacoma Dome 1994–1995 (During KeyArena Remodel)

Uniforms

The final SuperSonics uniforms, worn from the 2001-02 season through the 2007-08 season, were white with green and gold trim at home, displaying "SONICS" across the chest. Road uniforms were dark green with white and gold accents, with "SEATTLE" across the chest. The alternate uniform was gold with green and white trim, again with "SONICS" arched across the chest. These uniforms were a nod to a similar style worn from the 1975-76 season through the 1993-94 season. [http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=241]

Rivalries

The "I-5" Rivalry

The SuperSonics were traditional rivals with the Portland Trail Blazers because of the teams' proximity the rivalry had been dubbed the "I-5" Rivalry in reference to the Interstate 5 freeway that connected the two cities. The rivalry was fairly equal in accomplishments, with both teams winning one championship each. The all-time record of this rivalry ended at 98-94 in favor of the SuperSonics.

Players

Basketball Hall of Famers

*Lenny Wilkens (player and head coach for the SuperSonics; inducted as both, coached the 1979 Championship Team)

*Patrick Ewing (played in 2000-2001 season)

Retired numbers

*1 Gus Williams, G, 1977–1984 (Number Retired March 26, 2004)
*10 Nate McMillan, G, 1986–1998; Head Coach, 2000–2005 (Number Retired March 24, 1999)
*19 Lenny Wilkens, G, 1968–1972; Head Coach, 1969–1972 & 1977–1985 (Number Retired Oct 19, 1979)
*24 Spencer Haywood, F, 1971–1975 (Number Retired February 26, 2007)
*32 Fred Brown, G, 1971–1984 (Number Retired November 6, 1986)
*43 Jack Sikma, C, 1977–1986 (Number Retired November 21, 1992)
*Microphone Bob Blackburn, Broadcaster, 1967–1992

Coaches

High points

Franchise leaders

Single game records

*Points: 58 by Fred Brown vs the Golden State Warriors, March 23, 1974
*Rebounds: 30 by Jim Fox vs the Los Angeles Lakers, December 26, 1973
*Assists: 25 by Nate McMillan vs the Los Angeles Clippers, February 23, 1987
*Steals: :*10 by Fred Brown vs the Philadelphia 76ers, December 3, 1976:*10 by Gus Williams vs the New Jersey Nets, February 22, 1978

Single season records

*Points: 2,253 by Dale Ellis, 1988-89
*Points per game: 29.2 by Spencer Haywood, 1972-73 [Bob Rule averaged 29.8 points per game for the SuperSonics in the 1970-71 season, but only played in four games, thereby missing the standard qualification minimums]
*Rebounds: 1,038 by Jack Sikma, 1981-82
*Rebounds per game: 13.4 by Spencer Haywood, 1973-74
*Assists: 766 by Lenny Wilkens, 1971-72
*Assists per game: 9.6 by Lenny Wilkens, 1971-72
*Steals: 261 by Slick Watts, 1975-76
*Steals per game: 3.18 by Slick Watts, 1975-76

Career leaders

*Games: Gary Payton, 999
*Minutes Played: Gary Payton, 36,858
*Points: Gary Payton, 18,207
*Field Goals Made: Gary Payton, 7,292
*Field Goal Attempts: Gary Payton, 15,562
*3-Point Field Goals Made: Rashard Lewis, 918
*3-Point Field Goals Attempted: Gary Payton, 2,855
*Free Throws Made: Jack Sikma, 3,044
*Free Throws Attempted: Shawn Kemp, 3,808
*Offensive Rebounds: Shawn Kemp, 2,145
*Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 5,948
*Total Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 7,729
*Assists: Gary Payton, 7,384
*Steals: Gary Payton, 2,107
*Blocked Shots: Shawn Kemp, 959
*Turnovers: Gary Payton, 2,507
*Personal Fouls: Gary Payton, 2,577

Career per game

*Minutes Played: Spencer Haywood, 40.36
*Points: Ray Allen, 26.44
*Field Goals Made: Spencer Haywood, 9.72
*Field Goal Attempts: Spencer Haywood, 21.01
*3-Point Field Goals Made: Ray Allen, 3.45
*3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Ray Allen, 8.37
*Free Throws Made: Lenny Wilkens, 6.25
*Free Throw Attempts: Lenny Wilkens, 7.99
*Offensive Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 4.40
*Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 8.32
*Total Rebounds: Marvin Webster, 12.62
*Assists: Lenny Wilkens, 9.02
*Steals: Slick Watts, 2.47
*Blocked Shots: Alton Lister, 2.09
*Turnovers: Marvin Webster, 3.13
*Personal Fouls: Danny Fortson, 4.01

Career per 48 minutes

*Points: Ricky Pierce, 31.29
*Field Goals Made: Xavier McDaniel, 12.17
*Field Goals Attempted: Walt Hazzard, 27.31
*3-Point Field Goals Made: Ray Allen, 3.58
*3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Ray Allen, 9.20
*Free Throws Made: Danny Fortson, 9.44
*Free Throw Attempts: Danny Fortson, 10.93
*Offensive Rebounds: Danny Fortson, 6.83
*Defensive Rebounds: Jack Sikma, 11.56
*Total Rebounds: Pete Cross, 19.39
*Assists: Avery Johnson, 13.03
*Steals: Slick Watts, 4.13
*Blocked Shots: Jim McIlvaine, 5.38
*Turnovers: Mark Radford, 6.89
*Personal Fouls: Danny Fortson, 12.38

Individual awards

NBA Defensive Player of the Year
*Gary Payton – 1996

NBA Finals MVP
*Dennis Johnson – 1979

NBA Executive of the Year
*Zollie Volchok – 1983
*Bob Whitsitt – 1994

NBA Most Improved Player Award
*Dale Ellis – 1987

J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
*Slick Watts – 1976

NBA All-Star Game MVPs
*Lenny Wilkens – 1971
*Tom Chambers – 1987All-NBA First Team
*Spencer Haywood – 1972, 1973
*Gus Williams – 1982
*Gary Payton – 1998, 2000

All-NBA Second Team
*Spencer Haywood – 1974, 1975
*Dennis Johnson – 1980
*Gus Williams – 1980
*Shawn Kemp – 1994, 1995, 1996
*Gary Payton – 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002
*Vin Baker – 1998
*Ray Allen – 2005

All-NBA Third Team
*Dale Ellis – 1989
*Gary Payton – 1994, 2001
*Detlef Schrempf – 1995

NBA All-Defensive First Team
*Slick Watts – 1976
*Dennis Johnson – 1979, 1980
*Gary Payton – 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002NBA All-Defensive Second Team
*Lonnie Shelton – 1982
*Jack Sikma – 1982
*Danny Vranes – 1985
*Nate McMillan – 1994, 1995

NBA Rookie First Team
*Bob Rule – 1968
*Al Tucker – 1968
*Art Harris – 1969
*Tom Burleson – 1975
*Jack Sikma – 1978
*Xavier McDaniel – 1986
*Derrick McKey – 1988
*Jeff Green-2008
*Kevin Durant - 2008

NBA Rookie Second Team
*Gary Payton – 1991
*Desmond Mason – 2001
*Vladimir Radmanovic – 2002

NBA Rookie of the Year Award
*Kevin Durant – 2008

ee also

*Bob Blackburn, primary play-by-play broadcaster, "The Voice of the Seattle Supersonics" - 1967–1992
*Kevin Calabro, primary play-by-play broadcaster, 1987–2008
*The Wheedle, team mascot, 1978-1985
*Squatch, team mascot, 1993-2008
*Save Our Sonics, grassroots organization dedicated to preventing the team's move from Seattle.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.nba.com/sonics/ Seattle SuperSonics official web site]
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-supersonicsfuture&prov=ap&type=lgns NBA owners vote to approve the Supersonics' relocation - NBA - Yahoo! Sports]

succession box
title = NBA Champions
Seattle SuperSonics
years = 1979
before = Washington Bullets
1978
after = Los Angeles Lakers
1980