Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell stirred up excitement and controversy during his State of the City address a couple of weeks ago with a playful yet misleading tease about the return of the beloved Seattle SuperSonics. The moment unfolded when Harrell paused dramatically and declared,
“Right now, at this moment, I have an announcement to make.”
As he picked up a basketball, the audience—comprised of city officials, staffers, and supporters—was abuzz with anticipation, believing he was about to reveal news of an NBA expansion team for Seattle.
However, the excitement was short-lived. Harrell spun the basketball and quipped,
“I’m just kidding, I got you. It’s a long speech. I had to break it up a little here.”
The crowd’s initial cheers quickly turned to groans and laughter, reflecting a mix of amusement and disappointment. Online reactions were even more polarized, with many fans expressing frustration over what they perceived as an insensitive joke about a topic close to Seattleites’ hearts.
Seattle Mayor’s SuperSonics Tease Sparks Mixed Reactions pic.twitter.com/Y39mtS4FFK
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) April 24, 2025
The SuperSonics, who relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, remain a sore spot for many fans in the Emerald City. Harrell’s joke comes at a time when interest in the team’s return has never been higher. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, has proven to be a successful venue, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged Seattle as a strong candidate for expansion.
In response to the backlash, Harrell apologized, stating,
“I do apologize if anyone thought it was in poor taste; that was not the intent. But you know, in this job that I have, when you’re fighting crime and fighting for strong public safety, you’re fighting for good transportation solutions, you have to mix it up once in a while.”
He emphasized that his goal was to keep the buzz around the Supersonics alive and maintain fan enthusiasm, which he believes is a crucial factor in the NBA’s decision-making process.
