How did the SuperSonics get their name?
Michael Henderson
Published Mar 06, 2026
How did the SuperSonics get their name?
Seattle’s NBA franchise, which entered the league in 1967, needed a nickname, and ownership turned to the fans for help. The fans chose the name SuperSonics, which was inspired by a plane—the Supersonic Transport—that Boeing was working on in the Seattle area (per NBA.com).
Does OKC own the Sonics history?
For now, the two parties agree to share the history of the team that played 41 years in Seattle. The Oklahoma City team will refer to Sonics records, statistics and history as its own.
Who owns the Seattle SuperSonics?
In 2001, ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics transferred from Barry Ackerley to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.
What year did the SuperSonics change their name?
2008
In 2008, the NBA team Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma as Oklahoma City Thunder from Seattle, Washington. The Seattle SuperSonics NBA team played in the league from 1967, till they were rebranded as Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.
How did Wilt Chamberlain have his number retired?
Of the 13, Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Maravich lead the way, having had their jerseys retired by three different franchises. In the NBA, retiring a player’s jersey by raising it to the rafters and not making it available to anyone else in the future is a mark of respect.
How did the Cleveland Cavaliers get their name?
Jerry Tomko, the father of future Major League Baseball pitcher Brett Tomko, submitted the winning entry to name the team the “Cavaliers” through a competition sponsored by The Plain Dealer; supporters preferred it to “Jays”, “Foresters” and “Presidents”. …
Who owns the rights to the SuperSonics?
After the 2007–08 season ended, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and now play as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sam Schulman owned the team from its 1967 inception until 1983….
| Seattle SuperSonics | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
| History | Seattle SuperSonics 1967–2008 Oklahoma City Thunder 2008–present |
Do the Thunder own the Sonics name?
The “Seattle SuperSonics” name still has an owner; Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett still owns the rights to the name and team logo that fell by the wayside when he relocated and rebranded the team.
Do the Thunder own the SuperSonics name?
The “Seattle SuperSonics” name still has an owner; Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett still owns the rights to the name and team logo that fell by the wayside when he relocated and rebranded the team. Regardless what happens with any new team, NBA fans will just be happy to once again have local basketball.
Is the number 69 banned in the NBA?
No NBA player has ever worn the number 69, which is believed to be implicitly banned due to its sexual connotations; the NBA has never confirmed this. Dennis Rodman had allegedly requested the number 69 when he joined the Dallas Mavericks but was refused and instead wore 70.
How did the Seattle SuperSonics get their name?
The name SuperSonics was inspired by the SuperSonic transport plane that Boeing was developing in Seattle at the time. Unfortunately mass production of the plane never became a reality, due the government contract being canceled, but the team name stuck anyway.
What are the colors of the Seattle SuperSonics?
As for the team’s colors, they wore green, gold and white, and remained that way throughout most of their history. Initially the SuperSonics played at the Seattle Center Coliseum which it was known at the time from 1967 to 1978.
Could the Seattle SuperSonics return in 5 years?
This past summer, Kevin Calabro, the longtime voice of the Seattle Supersonics and former Trail Blazers play-by-play commentator, told NBC Sports NW’s Joe Fann he thought the Supersonics could return within five years. [RELATED]: Kevin Calabro Thinks the Sonics Could Return to Seattle Within the Next Five Years
When was the last time the Seattle SuperSonics won a championship?
The franchise also won six divisional titles, their last being in 2005, with five in the Pacific Division and one in the Northwest Division. Settlement terms of a lawsuit between the city of Seattle and Clay Bennett’s ownership group stipulated the SuperSonics’ banners, trophies, and retired jerseys remain in Seattle;