In a resurfaced video with PlayersTV, former three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl-winning cornerback Richard Sherman was asked if he would be interested in buying a piece of the Seattle Supersonics. The future Hall of Fame defensive back replied, “I guess if they offered it to me, I wouldn’t turn it down, but I’m going to be in the stands either way.”
Richard Sherman was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2011 NBA Draft from Stanford University. He played 10 seasons in the NFL, including with the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He would go on to finish his career with 495 total tackles, 116 deflected passes, 37 interceptions, five forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and three defensive touchdowns.
Another prominent figure in the Pacific Northwest is Isaiah Thomas, a former college standout at the University of Washington and a 13-year NBA veteran, who was drafted by the Sacramento Kings and recently shared on X that he would like to own the Sonics or hold a front-office position.
“Duhhhh! I need in on front office/ownership.”
During Thomas’s 13 years in the league, he was a two-time All-Star, named to the 2016-17 All-NBA Team, and to the 2011-12 All-Rookie Team.
Almost two years ago, Thomas took to X to say he wanted to be part of the front office or the Sonics coaching staff.
“I need in the front office/coaching staff when the Sonics come back… That’s the play!”
Ken Griffey Jr also expressed ownership interest in the Sonics this past summer. The Baseball Hall of Famer already has ownership stakes in the Seattle Sounders and Mariners as well.
“If the opportunity presents itself, I’d love to be part of the ownership group bringing a team back. It’s something this city is missing, and I’d love to be a part of it.”
All this reaction comes on the heels of the NBA voting last week to explore expansion options in both Las Vegas and Seattle.
Last week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the NBA Governors voted to approve exploring expansion.
“Breaking: The NBA’s Board of Governors has approved a vote for the league to explore bids and applicants for expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle, sources tell ESPN. A bidding process is expected to generate offers in the $7-10 billion range for each team.”
“This starts the NBA’s 32-team expansion process. Multiple high-ranking officials have termed expansion as “when, not if.” Now the NBA will examine Seattle and Las Vegas bids over the next several months, and whether to execute the new franchise purchases now or in a few years.”
“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on Wednesday. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”
Governor Bob Ferguson released the following statement after the NBA Board of Governors voted to explore expansion to Seattle:
“For two decades, Washingtonians have mourned the loss of our Sonics. Today’s vote is a milestone in the effort to bring NBA basketball back home.
“The time is right. The state-of-the-art Climate Pledge Arena already hosts professional basketball and hockey with the Storm, Kraken, and Torrent in front of a dedicated fanbase. And we know we have the best fans in the NBA.
“Bringing the Sonics back is a top priority, and the state will be a strong partner in this effort. I plan to be there at tip-off with thousands of fellow fans when the Sonics return.”
We will see which governor group emerges victorious in the purchase of the Seattle Supersonics franchise.
