Goodbye Seattle SuperSonics

An end to the long standing I-5 rivalry between the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle SuperSonics has been brought to a sad conclusion with today's official announcement that the Sonics are being moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For this massive betrayal, the city of Seattle will receive $45 million in exchange for losing the NBA team that has been in their city since 1967 and will be allowed to keep the Sonics' name and history for a possible future NBA team.

Hmmmm....let's see if I understand this correctly. $45 million to strip the Seattle fans of the joy they've experienced over the years while cheering for, and supporting, their favorite NBA team. $45 million to strip a city of forty-one years of NBA affiliation and history. $45 million to tell the Seattle fans that their long-time support and dedication to their team just doesn't matter. Does this seem worth it to anyone other than the team owner and the mayor of Seattle? It doesn't seem worth it to me. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a basketball fan.

My heart goes out to the fans in Seattle. I watched the last game played in the KeyArena and saw how hard the fans were trying to keep their team in Seattle. There were chants of "SAVE OUR SONICS" being echoed throughout the arena during the game...most especially during the timeouts and at the end of the game. There were signs bearing this same sentiment being hoisted by fans of all ages everywhere. I think deep down most of those fans knew they were fighting a losing battle...that their pleas were falling on deaf ears...but they were determined not to quit. Afterall, miracles do happen.

As I watched those fans fighting so hard to keep their team...the team they had stood by and supported...in Seattle, I couldn't help but think how betrayed and disappointed I would be if one day Paul Allen decided to move my beloved Trailblazers out of Portland. Now that there is an empty slot in Seattle, and in hopes of getting another NBA franchise there, will Seattle start courting Mr. Allen and offering him special incentives to move his team...our team...to the North? Would Mr. Allen even consider it? I'd like to think not, but anything is possible. Just ask the Seattle fans.