By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said she expects the NBA to begin a formal expansion process in March 2026, a move that could pave the way for the return of the Seattle SuperSonics nearly two decades after the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City.
Cantwell, a longtime advocate for restoring the team, said Seattle remains well positioned if the league follows through on plans to create two new expansion teams. As of early 2026, league observers and local leaders have increasingly pointed to Seattle as a favored market, citing its size, corporate base and sustained fan support.
In February 2026, Cantwell referenced what she described as a significant year for Seattle sports as further evidence that the city is ready to rejoin the NBA.
“It’s been a very big year for sports in Seattle,” Cantwell said. “This is an unbelievable, epic NFL championship. The Mariners came close. People are looking at that again, the Kraken, and now we have the Torrent.”
Cantwell also welcomed signals that the NBA is preparing to evaluate expansion.
“We want our Sonics back, and we’re glad that the NBA is finally saying it’s going to start a process to consider two expansion teams,” says Cantwell.
The SuperSonics’ departure in 2008 marked the end of a 41 year run in Seattle. In 2006, former owner Howard Schultz sold the team to an ownership group led by Clay Bennett. After failing to secure public funding for a new arena in Seattle, the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The relocation was approved by NBA owners in April 2008.
As part of a legal settlement with the city of Seattle, Bennett paid $45 million to break the lease at KeyArena early, with a provision requiring an additional $30 million if a team did not return to Seattle by 2013. On Sept. 3, 2008, the franchise was officially rebranded as the Oklahoma City Thunder. While the name and team colors moved, the SuperSonics’ history, including the 1979 NBA championship, remained in Seattle.
Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray strongly opposed the relocation at the time, calling it the result of bad faith efforts by ownership. Since then, Cantwell has consistently supported efforts to bring an NBA team back to Seattle, frequently highlighting the city’s market strength and passionate fan base.
Former University of Washington basketball standout Donald Watts, son of Sonics legend Slick Watts, said the return of the franchise is long overdue and believes an announcement could come this year.
“It’s long overdue for sure. My understanding is there’s supposed to be an announcement one way or another this year,” says Watts. “We definitely hope it would be the one way, the only way, which is that it’s coming back and then we can start that process. Season ticket sales and just getting excited like about the return.”
Watts said the impact of a professional basketball team extends well beyond wins and losses, shaping communities and influencing young people.
For those players like my father who came here and fell in love with this city and then committed their heart and soul and spirit to the city and the youth in the city, it gives the, the youth somebody to look up to,” says Watts. “It’s a much more of a personal experience, smaller court, all of that stuff, and it lends itself the same way to the community.”
“When they retire, they’re working in the schools, they’re working in the district, Bill Russell made his life here. Coach Lenny Wilkins made his life here,” continued Watts. “These guys who are former Sonics, in our community, you have to know that bringing the team back brings that back. It brings advocacy for our people. It brings influence at the highest levels to make a difference for those people who need it most.”
Schultz said in 2019 that “selling the team is one of his biggest professional regrets.”
Momentum for expansion has intensified in recent years as Seattle’s sports landscape has grown. With continued speculation that the league could add two franchises, local leaders and former players alike are watching closely for a formal announcement.
Cantwell said she hopes the league moves forward soon.
“I hope that they will do this later in March, which starts that consideration, and that we’ll know soon what’s going to happen,” she said.
