Sonicsgate

Requiem for a Team

As NBA salaries skyrocketed following the 1999 player lockout, the league's business model changed to require expansive new buildings paid for with taxpayer dollars. Seattle's KeyArena, built in 1995 as a remodel of the old Seattle Coliseum, just wouldn't cut it anymore according to NBA Commissioner David Stern. Faced with operating losses and political leadership that was extremely adverse to stadium funding, Sonics owner and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sold Seattle's oldest professional franchise to Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett, who had promised to bring a pro sports team to his hometown at any cost. The scandalous dealings of Bennett's ownership group led to a heated courtroom battle as fans and city officials fought to keep their team. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels ultimately accepted a $45 million buyout to cover the final two years of the Sonics' lease at KeyArena, allowing the team to relocate in July 2008 as they were renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder, effectively tarnishing decades of Seattle history while leaving fans shocked, bitter and heartbroken.

Featuring exclusive HD interviews with:
NBA Stars: Gary Payton, George Karl, Wally Walker, Sam Perkins, Brent Barry, Desmond Mason, Nick Collison, Wally Walker, Jim McIlvaine, Doug Christie, Jamal Crawford, Aaron Brooks, James Donaldson…
Media: Kevin Calabro, Percy Allen, Steve Kelley, Art Thiel, Chris Daniels, Dave Grosby, Jim Moore…
Government/Attorneys: Slade Gorton, Tom Carr, Ross Hunter, Paul Lawrence, Brad Keller, Paul Schneiderman...
Community: Save Our Sonics co-founders Brian Robinson & Steven Pyeatt, acclaimed author Sherman Alexie, Loren “Big Lo” Sandtretzky, Seattle Center director Robert Nellams, anti-stadium lobbyist Chris Van Dyk, rapper David “Wizdom” Mazzeo and comedian Ryan Stiles.
Narrated by John Keister of Almost Live!