Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team (2009)

"Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team" is a riveting documentary that unveils the distressing saga behind Seattle's loss of the SuperSonics, its oldest professional sports team, in 2008, after a fiery courtroom battle. The film paints a vivid picture of a city held hostage by corporate avarice and political ineffectiveness, as loyal sports enthusiasts were stripped of a cherished franchise that had graced the city for an unforgettable 41-year stretch. This epoch saw the team clinch an NBA Championship, multiple titles, and host a pantheon of legendary players from Gary Payton to Spencer Haywood, leaving an indelible imprint on the city's sporting landscape. The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the escalating NBA salaries after the 1999 player lockout, triggering a paradigm shift in the league's business model, which suddenly demanded extravagant new arenas financed by public funds. Seattle's KeyArena, a 1995 remodel of the old Seattle Coliseum, was deemed insufficient by NBA Commissioner David Stern. This led to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, the then Sonics owner, selling the team to Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett, who was on a quest to bring a pro sports team to his city, irrespective of the cost. The deceptive machinations of Bennett's ownership group sparked a contentious legal dispute as dedicated fans and city officials waged a desperate battle to retain their team. However, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels eventually conceded to a $45 million buyout to clear the remaining two years of the Sonics' lease at KeyArena, enabling the team's relocation in July 2008. The team was rebranded as the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of fans and erasing a rich chapter of Seattle's sporting history. "Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team" is an investigative deep dive into this devastating event, revealing the truth from those at the heart of the controversy. It's a compelling piece of citizen journalism that underscores that no home team is immune in today's cutthroat world of professional sports.

Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team is a documentary movie featuring John Keister and directed by Jason Reid.

It is possible to buy Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team on Apple iTunes.