Something is missing in Seattle
I left my friends, family, and hometown in 2013 to move to the other Washington — our nation’s capital. It was an amazing two-and-a-half year journey that forced me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to embrace the unknown.
Working in the House of Representatives (The People’s House), I met people and experienced things I never thought possible. As I reflect upon my time on the east coast, I smile at the opportunity I had to move to a new city and connect with other single twenty-something’s who were raised in different parts of the country with completely different upbringings and perspectives. We had a lot of good times, and I miss my D.C. friends very much.
Through a series of events that deserve several other Medium posts, I now find myself back in Seattle, a city I became all too familiar with for most of my life. One thing I’ve noticed since returning is the vibe this city has. It wasn’t like this before I left for D.C. I don’t know if it’s the rise of the Seahawks, the tech boom, or the fact that I’ve now experienced life outside of Seattle. But there’s an energy in Seattle you don’t experience elsewhere.
And yet, something is missing. This city I love and treasure doesn’t quite feel whole.
Seattle is undoubtedly a world-class city. It’s the 14th largest media market in the most trade-dependent state in the nation. The population of the Seattle metro area is estimated at over 3.6 million., ranking 15th in the U.S.
What’s missing?
The Seattle Supersonics left Seattle in July, 2008. I’ll never forget the day. I was in Las Vegas, watching my friend Derek was playing in the World Series of Poker. I got a text from my friend Bubs. My heart sank. All our efforts to save the Sonics were futile. My childhood. My basketball team. Shawn Kemp. Gary Payton. Detlef Schrempf (he was my favorite). Ray Allen. It was all gone.
There are a number of guilty parties that led to the departure of a team who called Seattle home for 40 years. In fact, there’s a movie about it. I’d encourage you to watch: http://sonicsgate.com/
Almost eight years later, I’m done being angry. I’m done pointing fingers. I just want the Sonics to come back.
I’ll occasionally talk to my friends about the Sonics, and I ask if they expect them to come back anytime soon. Many of them don’t care anymore. They’ve had their hopes crushed two, three, four times, and they’re done putting any of their emotional eggs into this basket.
I will tell you this — there is a group of people who haven’t lost hope. There’s a potential ownership group, led by investor Chris Hansen, who continue to fight tooth-and-nail to build a SODO arena that would attract both an NHL and an NBA team to the area. They haven’t given up — even after purchasing a team and having the deal denied by league owners. They’re still fighting. We should too.
For anyone who loves Seattle. For anyone who listed to Kevin Calabro call games in the mid-90’s. For anyone who chanted “Save Our Sonics!” at a half-full Key Arena in 2007 and 2008. It’s time to fight.
On March 15th, the Seattle City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed street vacation for the SODO arena location. This is the next step in the process to build an arena — something we see to completion before we set our sites on attracting teams. (More details on the process from Sonics Rising here.)
I’m going to be there, and I encourage all my Seattle friends to attend as well. Show up. Let your voice be heard. Wear a Vin Baker jersey. Let’s signal to the council, the city, and the NBA that Seattle is ready for professional basketball to return.
Seattle is great. But it can and should be better. It’s time for this world-class city to get its team back.
