Report: Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson Joins Investment Group With Plans To Bring NBA Team To Seattle
The movement started awhile ago, but it certainly hasn’t died out. Seattle has some of the most passionate fans in the country, and many people are determined to bring them a basketball team, including Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson recently joined an ownership group, led by investor Chris Hansen, that is working to construct a new NBA/NHL arena in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. This arena would be paid for entirely with private funds. The aim of the group is to bring the beloved Sonics back.
According to his piece for The Players’ Tribune, Russell became a Sonics fan growing up:
I became a SuperSonics fan by playing NBA Jam and watching them on SportsCenter and NBA Inside Stuff. I loved their name. I loved their colors. I loved [Shawn] Kemp and [Gary] Payton, and then in later years, I loved watching Ray Allen swish corner threes with that perfect form.
Even though we lived in Virginia, I got a Sonics jersey one Christmas and I used to put it on and go play hoops out in front of the house, pretending I was Gary Payton.
Wilson also released a statement to the Associated Press regarding his involvement with the new investment group:
I’m blessed and excited to partner with Chris, Wally [Walker], Pete [Nordstrom] and Erik [Nordstrom] and the greatest fans in all of sports to bring the SODO arena to our beloved city. There is no place like the Emerald City. The positive impact sports has on our kids and many generations to come and bringing different cultures and people together is what motivates and inspires me.
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