Seattle City Council committee backs push for NBA Expansion, eyes 2028–29 Season
Apr 2, 2026, 4:26 PM | Updated: 4:28 pm
A Seattle Supersonics fan dressed as Bigfoot is seen during the game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Kentucky Wildcats at Climate Pledge Arena on December 07, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
(Photo: Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Seattle is ready for the return of NBA basketball.
That’s according to a resolution passed Thursday by the city council’s Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.
Before the vote, Brian Robinson with the group Save Our Sonics made his pitch.
“The fan base is hungrier than any other in history,” Robinson said. “We’re rabid. We’re obsessed. And we are ready.”
Former NBA player Spencer Hawes said he has seen a lot of the league’s newer arenas.
“I can’t say that I’ve been to one that’s more impressive than Climate Pledge,” he told committee members Thursday. “Build out the locker room, and we’re ready to go.”
The NBA is considering adding two teams—one in Seattle and one in Las Vegas—as early as the 2028–29 season.
The full council will take up the resolution next week.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and members of the Seattle City Council shared a joint resolution last month to affirm Seattle’s “readiness” to bring back the Seattle SuperSonics, and affirm that Climate Pledge Arena is prepared to host the team’s return.
The resolution reflects a commitment from city leaders and builds on Seattle’s legacy as one of the premier sports and basketball cities, the Seattle mayor’s office announced.
“Seattle is ready to welcome the Sonics home,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson stated. “We never stopped being a basketball city, and the fans have never given up. You see it in our parks, in our schools, in packed gyms in every neighborhood, and our Seattle Storm championships. We built a world-class arena. We have a strong economy and a dedicated workforce. We are prepared, we are united, and we are ready for the next chapter of our Sonics.”
NBA governors vote to begin expansion process
The resolution was introduced just ahead of the NBA governors’ vote to begin the process of expanding the league from 30 teams to 32 teams.
“This week’s NBA vote is a pivotal moment for Seattle, years in the making,” Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle stated last month. “We’re a sports town, full stop. Our fans are fiercely dedicated to both men’s and women’s athletics. Now is the time to bridge the glaring gap in our sports landscape and bring the NBA back where it belongs! I can’t wait to see the SuperSonics return home to the heart of Queen Anne at Climate Pledge Arena.”
The resolution highlighted the “world-class” Climate Pledge Arena, a strong and growing economy, deep labor partnerships, and a deeply rooted basketball culture translating from youth to professional athletics.
The resolution outlined key factors that prove Seattle is uniquely positioned for NBA expansion, including:
- Climate Pledge Arena as a state-of-the-art, 100% privately financed facility designed for NBA play.
- A highly skilled workforce that built and operates the arena.
- A robust and innovative economy capable of sustaining long-term franchise success.
- A strong pipeline of basketball talent through youth, grassroots, high school, and collegiate programs.
- Deep and enduring community support for the return of the Seattle SuperSonics.
The resolution puts Seattle in the driver’s seat to capitalize on the NBA’s potential expansion and reaffirms the city’s commitment to working with the NBA and its regional partners to return the SuperSonics to Seattle.
“This resolution is about more than bringing back a team. It is about restoring a piece of Seattle’s identity,” Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka stated last month. “For decades, the Seattle SuperSonics were a source of pride, unity, and global recognition for our city. Today, we are making it clear that Seattle is ready: ready with a world-class facility in Climate Pledge Arena, ready with one of the strongest markets in the country, and ready to partner with the NBA to create a robust 32-team league.
“We have the fans, the history, and the infrastructure,” he continued. “What we’re affirming here is our commitment to work across city, county, and state lines to bring the Sonics home and ensure their long-term success. This is about honoring our history while building an even stronger future for Seattle sports and culture. I would like to thank Mayor Wilson and her staff for their collaboration on this resolution. Go Sonics!”
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
