When did the Seattle SuperSonics win the NBA championship?
The Seattle SuperSonics won the NBA championship in 1979, defeating the Washington Bullets in five games in the NBA Finals. Dennis Johnson was named the Finals MVP.
Questions about Seattle SuperSonics
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did the Seattle SuperSonics move to Oklahoma City?
The SuperSonics relocated after new owner Clay Bennett's group failed to secure $500 million in public funding for a new arena in the Seattle suburb of Renton. On the 2nd of July 2008, Bennett's group paid $45 million to buy out the team's existing lease at KeyArena and move the franchise to Oklahoma City as the Thunder.
Who were the key players on the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics championship team?
The 1979 championship roster featured Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, Gus Williams, second-year All-Star center Jack Sikma, forwards John Johnson and Lonnie Shelton, and reserves Fred Brown and Paul Silas.
What is the Seattle SuperSonics' all-time franchise scoring leader?
Gary Payton is the franchise's all-time scoring leader with 18,207 points scored across 999 games. He also holds franchise records for assists (7,384) and steals (2,107).
Who sold the Seattle SuperSonics and when?
Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former president and CEO, sold the SuperSonics along with the WNBA's Seattle Storm to Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett's group on the 18th of July 2006 for $350 million.
Is Seattle getting an NBA team back after the SuperSonics left?
On the 24th and the 25th of March 2026, the NBA's Board of Governors unanimously voted to explore adding an expansion team in Seattle and Las Vegas. NBA commissioner Adam Silver had said in December 2025 that a decision on expansion would be made in 2026.