Seattle’s Longing for Its Sports Legacy
Time may have a reputation for mending wounds, but for many sports fans in Seattle, that seems far from true. On Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle, defeating the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling Game 7. However, one local Seattle sports broadcast viewed the event with indifference.
Indifference in Coverage
Fox 13’s sports director, Aaron Levine, wrapped up a 30-minute segment with a curt acknowledgment of the outcome of Game 7, saying:
“Unfortunately, the Indiana Pacers lose Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Big game for the Sounders tomorrow! We will see you out at Lumen Field.”
The broadcast notably lacked any highlights, the final score, or even the name of the victorious team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Levine later took to Twitter, posting a clip of his sign-off with the caption:
“How this #Seattle news station covered Game 7 of the #NBAFinals at the end of our half-hour sports show. The way it should be. Bitter, Seattle.”
Historical Context of Loss
The sentiment behind this lack of coverage can be traced back to a painful chapter in Seattle’s sports history. In 2008, the city lost the beloved Seattle SuperSonics, a franchise that had anchored the local NBA scene for 41 years, highlighted by their championship win in 1979 and a standout roster in the 1990s featuring legends Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. The franchise’s departure was orchestrated by Oklahoma City native Clay Bennett, who purchased the team to relocate it.
Despite claims to the contrary made by Bennett during the sale negotiations to retain the team in Seattle, statements made by his co-partner Aubrey McClendon in 2007 fueled skepticism. McClendon candidly expressed to a local publication:
“But we didn’t buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here.”
His remarks led to a fine from then-NBA commissioner David Stern, who attempted to manage the public fallout while facilitating the move. Months later, the NBA cleared the way for the SuperSonics to officially transition to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Continued Disheartenment
Now, as the Thunder celebrates its NBA championship, Seattle fans understandably remain disheartened and continue to yearn for the return of their beloved Sonics.
