Sonicsgate, which won a 2010 Webby Award for Best Sports Film, chronicles the Seattle SuperSonics’ history and tells the story about the franchise’s controversial exit from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. The two-hour film, which is available on the Internet, was updated and re-cut for television last year.
Reid and Brown spent a considerable amount of their own time, energy and money in keeping the Seattle region interested in getting another NBA team. When news broke last month that Seattle native Chris Hansen had purchased a controlling interest of the Sacramento Kings, Reid said in an interview on KIRO-FM radio that it gave him “goose bumps.”
The goal with the Sonicsgate movement was to motivate a guy like Hansen to put money up and get an NBA team back in the Seattle market, said Reid.
“We wanted to put pressure on the NBA and let the rest of the nation know the team didn’t leave because of a lack of fan support,” Reid said.
Reid and Brown will also share their thoughts on the possibility of NBA basketball returning to KeyArena next season. The duo recently wrote a letter to Sacramento Kings fans that was posted at Grantland.com. It included this message:
We know the gamut of emotions losing your hometown team can inspire. To that point, our film ends with this poignant realization by author and Sonics fan Sherman Alexie:
The meeting starts with a 5:30 p.m. social hour with the dinner program to follow. Cost is $25 ($20 for members). Invite a friend. This should be a fun night. The KAR will raffle off some prizes and McClouds features some of the best food around. There’s a chance an ex-Sonic might make an appearance, but that has not been confirmed.
While we’re it, the Seattle Times recently introduced a new Sonics’ blog — Seattle in the NBA. You can follow the latest news about the possible sale of the Kings to Seattle saga.
