Seattle Embraces New Rival as Thunder Fade from Hatred

Seattleites find new targets for sports anger as OKC Thunder lose their status as most-hated team.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured, multi-perspective view of a Seattle sports arena filled with passionate fans, capturing the shifting nature of the city's sports rivalries.Seattle's sports fans redirect their fervent rivalries towards new targets as the once-hated Thunder fade from the city's collective consciousness.Seattle Today

After years of intense animosity towards the Oklahoma City Thunder following the team's controversial relocation from Seattle, the city's sports fans have shifted their ire to new targets, including the Houston Astros and even former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. While the Thunder were once the most-hated team in Seattle, their fall from prominence has allowed other rivals to take their place in the hearts and minds of the city's passionate sports enthusiasts.

Why it matters

The shifting of Seattle's sports hatred reflects the dynamic nature of fan loyalties and the ability of new rivalries to capture the public's imagination. As the Thunder's relevance has waned, Seattleites have found new outlets for their competitive spirit, highlighting the city's enduring passion for sports and its willingness to redirect that passion towards emerging adversaries.

The details

The Thunder, who were formerly the Seattle SuperSonics before their relocation in 2008, have long been the target of Seattle's sports ire. However, as the team has struggled in recent years and fallen out of the NBA's elite, Seattleites have found new targets for their sports-related anger. The arrival of the Houston Astros, who were involved in a high-profile sign-stealing scandal, has sparked a new level of hatred, with fans eager to voice their displeasure towards the team. Additionally, the return of former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to Lumen Field, albeit in a different uniform, has also reignited some of the city's sports-related animosity.

  • The Oklahoma City Thunder relocated from Seattle in 2008.
  • The Houston Astros were involved in a sign-stealing scandal in 2017.
  • Russell Wilson returned to Lumen Field as the quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2026.

The players

Russell Wilson

A former quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks who now plays for the Denver Broncos.

Houston Astros

A Major League Baseball team that was involved in a high-profile sign-stealing scandal in 2017.

Oklahoma City Thunder

An NBA team that relocated from Seattle in 2008, becoming the target of intense sports-related hatred from Seattleites.

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What they’re saying

“The Thunder used to be the most-hated team in Seattle, but now they're just an afterthought. The Astros and Russell Wilson have taken their place as the new targets of our sports rage.”

— Samantha Nguyen, Seattle sports fan

“It's been a long time coming, but Seattle finally has new teams and players to direct their sports-related anger towards. The Thunder just don't have the same pull anymore.”

— Jared Simmons, Sports analyst

The takeaway

The shifting of Seattle's sports hatred from the Oklahoma City Thunder to new rivals like the Houston Astros and former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson highlights the dynamic nature of fan loyalties and the ability of new adversaries to capture the public's imagination. As the Thunder's relevance has waned, Seattleites have found new outlets for their competitive spirit, underscoring the city's enduring passion for sports and its willingness to redirect that passion towards emerging foes.