Governor's Meeting with NBA Commissioner Sparks Hope for Seattle SuperSonics Comeback

A meeting between Washington's governor and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has Sonics fans cautiously optimistic about the team's potential return.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:23pm

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Basketball fans in the Pacific Northwest are feeling hopeful after news broke that Washington Governor Bob Ferguson met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The SuperSonics were Seattle's beloved basketball franchise before they were sold and relocated to Oklahoma City in 2006, leaving a void in the city's sports landscape. The meeting between the governor and commissioner is seen as a potential first step towards the Sonics' return, likely through NBA expansion, which Commissioner Silver has hinted at for years.

Why it matters

The SuperSonics' departure in 2006 was a major blow to Seattle's sports culture, and the city has long hoped for the team's return. This meeting between the governor and NBA commissioner signals a renewed effort to bring the Sonics back, which would be a significant win for basketball fans in the region.

The details

Governor Ferguson, who grew up attending Sonics games and the Lenny Wilkens basketball camp, recently reached out to Commissioner Silver to request an introductory meeting. The two had a productive conversation, with the governor offering to be helpful in addressing any of the commissioner's concerns about bringing a team back to Seattle. The most likely path for the Sonics' return is through NBA expansion, which Silver has hinted at for years, with Seattle and Las Vegas seen as the top contenders for new franchises.

  • The meeting between Governor Ferguson and Commissioner Silver took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.
  • The SuperSonics were sold and relocated to Oklahoma City in 2006.

The players

Bob Ferguson

The governor of Washington, who grew up attending Sonics games and the Lenny Wilkens basketball camp.

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner, who has hinted at league expansion for years and is seen as open to bringing a team back to Seattle.

Howard Schultz

The former CEO of Starbucks, who sold the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett in 2006, leading to the team's relocation.

Clay Bennett

The Oklahoma City businessman who purchased the SuperSonics from Howard Schultz in 2006 and relocated the team to Oklahoma City.

Lenny Wilkens

A former Sonics player and coach, whose basketball camp the governor attended as a kid.

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What they’re saying

“As a kid, the governor grew up attending many Sonics games and attending the Lenny Wilkens basketball camp. The governor recently reached out to Commissioner Adam Silver requesting an introductory meeting. They had a good conversation, and the governor offered to be helpful.”

— Governor's Spokesperson (NewsRadio 560 KPQ)

What’s next

The meeting between Governor Ferguson and Commissioner Silver could signal the beginning of the process to bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle, likely through NBA expansion. The next step would be for the league and the city to work together to address any remaining concerns and finalize the details of a potential new franchise.

The takeaway

The meeting between the Washington governor and NBA commissioner has reignited hope among Sonics fans that their beloved team could make a long-awaited return to Seattle. While the path forward is not yet certain, this initial conversation represents a significant step towards potentially restoring the SuperSonics as a fixture in the Pacific Northwest sports landscape.