Is it time for politicians in Seattle to begin pushing harder for the return of the National Basketball Association? The city has been without an NBA team since the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City following the 2008 season. That move came after years of disputes over the aging KeyArena, which league officials considered outdated and no longer suitable for a modern NBA franchise. Now, with a new arena in place and renewed political support, the conversation about bringing the NBA back to Seattle is once again gaining momentum.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has made it clear that he wants to see the NBA return to the state. Ferguson recently held a video conversation with Commissioner Adam Silver and reportedly told him that the state is willing to help however necessary if the league decides to bring a franchise back to Seattle. During his State of the State address, Ferguson emphasized the importance of professional sports to the region.

“We know that our work in professional sports is not done until we bring the Seattle SuperSonics back home,” Ferguson said. His comments signal that state leadership is willing to play an active role in supporting a potential return of the franchise.

Seattle has tried before to bring the NBA back. In 2013, a group of investors attempted to purchase the Sacramento Kings with the intention of relocating the franchise to Seattle. That plan ultimately failed when NBA owners stepped in and approved a sale to a local ownership group that kept the Kings in Sacramento.

Since that time, speculation has continued about possible NBA expansion. Seattle and Las Vegas have frequently been mentioned as the two most likely cities if the league decides to add new teams.

From a business standpoint, Seattle appears well positioned to support an NBA team. The city now has Climate Pledge Arena, a modern facility that is fully capable of hosting NBA games. The region also has a strong corporate presence, including numerous multinational companies that could support the team through sponsorships, luxury suites, and premium seating.

Although Seattle is considered a mid-sized television market, the changing media landscape may lessen the importance of traditional market size. With regional sports networks struggling and leagues searching for new distribution models, digital streaming and national partnerships may play a larger role in the future.

Despite the optimism in Seattle, the timeline for NBA expansion remains unclear. Commissioner Adam Silver has repeatedly said that the league is not in a rush to add teams. Any expansion decision would require approval from NBA owners, meaning Silver alone cannot simply authorize new franchises.

For now, Seattle can continue preparing and positioning itself as a strong candidate. Whether that effort eventually leads to the return of the SuperSonics will depend on when—and if—the NBA decides the time is right to expand.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at [email protected]