There has been a buzz in the media about a Vegas team for years and the return of the SuperSonics seem to have taken a back seat (aside from more hard-core NBA fans). They keep asking LeBron if he would be interested in the Las Vegas team specifically and no one asks the follow up “What about the Seattle team?”

I’m not saying LeBron would be interested in that either but the question itself implies that Vegas would be the more desirable option.

I’m not sure why. Seattle is a great sports city, their teams enjoy very enthusiastic support and on top of that you’ve already got a foundation of support for the SuperSonics- I mean you can literally still buy SuperSonics gear in Seattle.

It just seems to me that there’s a good chance that Seattle is the more desirable property here, even though the Vegas team might go for higher at auction because of the casino corporations all bidding against each other.

ShaiFanClub | Thunder

91 | 6 hours ago

I don’t think anyone is more excited about a Vegas team than a Seattle one

TyposIncoming | Lakers

66 | 6 hours ago

They’re talking about potential owners, not human people

BailysmmmCreamy | Heat

8 | 5 hours ago

But their argument doesn’t really apply to potential owners, who are going to care way more about money than enthusiastic fans.

Peregrinations12

9 | 3 hours ago

Yeah. It’s not a 1 to 1 comparison, but the Raiders are now one of the most valuable NFL teams and have extremely high revenues (despite being bad for twenty years). A decade ago, the Raiders were among the least valuable teams in the league.

sentientbasketball11 | Knicks

4 | 3 hours ago

The house always wins

gerardguey | Bulls

3 | an hour ago

True. But Raiders had a rabid fanbase and storied legacy already, they just moved locations. NFL fans are dedicated enough to follow their team to a different city, you can approach the business differently to make more money. A brand new franchise with no history will be trickier to pull off imo

Quiet_Zombie_3498 | Thunder

14 | 5 hours ago

I really get tired of these posts where the author will be arguing against a narrative they created.

clonemusic | Mavericks

2 | 4 hours ago

I have seen the argument, it’s just framed a little different than I think people are taking OP. Simmons just talked about how, while there are tons of potential owners/ownership groups being floated for vegas, it is pretty quite for Seattle. There is just less ultra rich types that are interested in Seattle over Vegas.

moby323 | 76ers

-11 | 6 hours ago

Not among us more serious NBA fans but for some reason the media seems more fixated by the Vegas expansion team. That might be, as I said, because the Vegas team might fetch more money at the initial auction but I don’t think that means long-term it is a better sports property.

NuclearGhandi1 | Knicks

3 | 2 hours ago

TBF Vegas is probably getting more attention because it’s a new city for the NBA. New branding, new looks, etc. we know and hope that Seattle will just be the SuperSonics again

TheGargageMan | Rockets

44 | 6 hours ago

It will be one more thing to do in Vegas. Do you want to see Clay Aiken or Wemby this weekend. MMA after the buffet.

bubbasnub | Magic

9 | 3 hours ago

Make it Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard and now I have a tough choice.

sheepcoin_esq

5 | 2 hours ago

I’m so old

Grlions91 | Pistons

1 | 9 minutes ago

I’m sorry for 2004

josephseeed | Pistons

12 | 5 hours ago

Seattle immediately has a history and a connection with the city Vegas just doesn’t have. On top of that, I expect a ton of Vegas tickets will be purchased by corporations and not actual fans just because of the transient nature of the city. Seattle is definitely the more desirable property.

RelevantJackWhite | Trail Blazers

1 | 3 hours ago

The Vegas Golden Knights have a legitimate group of hardcore fans. I’ve been to two games while on vacation there and was shocked to see it. The locals were clearly desperate for some kind of sports team. That arena is LOUD

Now will it extend to an NBA team that’s late to the game and will be the fourth team to enter the city in a decade? I don’t know. But they do have real fans that can be tapped into in the right conditions.

ND7020 | Supersonics

3 | an hour ago

It hasn’t even extended to the Raiders, who usually have mostly opposing fans at the games.

2-59project | Pacers

1 | an hour ago

Those fans are extremely passionate and it’s by far the best atmosphere among the few hockey arenas I’ve been to, but I wonder how much that’s aided by them having won a championship so quickly. A Vegas resident I met at the game told me that the number of hockey rinks and youth hockey participation have both skyrocketed since the Knights came to town.

I do think people overestimate how much of the crowd is just out of towners there to see their own team

snowlarbear

9 | 5 hours ago

people wear sonics gear bc the team was stolen… and also it perfectly matches the hipster vibe of old seattle.

iamStanhousen | Pelicans

4 | 4 hours ago

They also have unique colors and great logos and branding. Sonics gear is still popular everywhere. Hell, I’m from New Orleans and I have a few Sonics hats.

celj1234

4 | 4 hours ago

Vegas is more valuable. This isn’t really even debatable

abetacular

1 | an hour ago

Seems extremely debatable at least! Seattle’s a rich city with lots of rich basketball fans. Vegas is a mirage in the desert with a collapsing economy based on a commodity they no longer monopolize.

celj1234

1 | an hour ago

Having ownership to a new arena alone is worth it in Vegas

desertdweller125

-1 | an hour ago

Have you looked at Seattle real estate?

Seattle is a top 3 tech city. How many US cities have multiple trillion dollar companies? Vegas is a declining desert city that depended on gambling, which is now legal nationwide.

NittanyScout | Spurs

4 | 4 hours ago

Ownership would see a vegas based sports team as a goldmine bc if the leagues growing relationship with gambling

WaltRumble | Thunder

3 | 4 hours ago

A passionate fan base isn’t necessarily a profitable one. If Vegas could they wouldn’t sell tickets to locals. They want you coming in for the weekend, staying at the casinos. Gambling, drinking that’s where the money is. They would much prefer if lakers and Vegas was 100% LA

Lakers_23_77 | Lakers

0 | an hour ago

Vegas will continue to be 100% Lakers. It’s essentially an unofficial southern CA territory, especially with the Raiders there and the close proximity. Lakers games will definitely be home games.

Dig_bickclub | Timberwolves

2 | 4 hours ago

The raiders are consistently in the top 10 in ticket revenue and attendance depsite being absolutely ass while the seahawks are usually in the middle of the pack. tourists visiting for games and casino ticket packages is consistent high revenue.

Two of the big 4 has teams in both cities and the Vegas on draws in more money in both

bubbasnub | Magic

2 | 3 hours ago

Vegas is an easy choice and once gambling became as widepsread as it did, the stigma of Vegas having pro sports was lifted. The Athletics will officially be in Vegas in 2028 and the NBA will follow suit. It’s the perfect place to catch your favorite team and do all the other Vegas thangs

JALbert | Supersonics

2 | an hour ago

From your link:

Raiders tickets sold: 582.7k

Seahawks tickets sold: 663.5k

League average was 654.5k

Dig_bickclub | Timberwolves

0 | 42 minutes ago

Revenue of 128 million vs 108 million, you can make tickets free and top the sales chart but revenue is more important for the business people driving the perception OP is arguing against.

ParrotPirate15

3 | 3 hours ago

People don’t understand the Las Vegas community and its love for sports. Just look at the Golden Knights. Easily one of the best NHL experiences out there

habeaskoopus

1 | 28 minutes ago

Also fading quickly. They will never recover from the Cnd boycott and I expect hard times for vgk sales upcoming.

Bonesawisready5 | Spurs

1 | 6 hours ago

Feels like Vegas will just be a tourist trap team, Seattle 100% tho. Vancouver, Kansas City, CDMX all would be cool if not likely . Or Nashville if they don’t move Grizz there one day

ElCompaJC

2 | 4 hours ago

Man, Kansas City would be a dream.

BackwerdsMan | Supersonics

2 | 3 hours ago

Vegas will not “just” be a tourist trap team. They will certainly get travelling fans, but Vegas locals have proven they support pro sports. The Golden Knights have a strong fanbase.

habeaskoopus

1 | 30 minutes ago

Local vgk ticket groups are consistently dumping tickets below cost as the Canadian fan has vanished. As always in Vegas, the luster fades quickly.

ClothesKind7499 | Lakers

2 | 4 hours ago

Man that arena is going to go crazy for the Sonics first game.

LittleTension8765 | Lakers

2 | 3 hours ago

For owners it’s the potential to expand their total portfolio in Vegas and connections. Seattle isn’t as desirable from that perspective

vonkillbot | Warriors

2 | 2 hours ago

That’s not the point of the whole Vegas sports buyouts. It’s a destination to watch your team/non-Vegas stars on a trip to LV. Locals aren’t exactly swarming the stadium to watch the Raiders lose, but they draw near capacity crowds as a terrible team.

MrMeritocracy

2 | an hour ago

Raiders fan here, the Seattle market is going to be WAYYYYYYY better for the home team

TraderJake09

1 | 6 hours ago

Sonics gear is still top tier

preddevils6 | Grizzlies

1 | 4 hours ago

They view Vegas as an event destination too.

AtxSaiyan

1 | 4 hours ago

Get me the Austin Bats 🦇

Those over 30 born here know what I’m talking about

sherpa143 | Celtics

1 | 3 hours ago

Seattle is culture and Vegas is just capitalism

Constant_Stable_7294

1 | 3 hours ago

It’s more about the money. Is anyone in Seattle going to pony up $8 Billion? Vegas would have that money no problem

paulie_pinenuts | Supersonics

1 | 3 hours ago

This city will go nuts for an nba team especially one named the Sonics

Cultural-Jello4042 | Suns

1 | 30 minutes ago

Not to mention Seattle would literally be playing in their original arena the that been newly renovated. It’s just too perfect

Big-Pea-6074 | Cabo Verde

0 | 6 hours ago

But would fans actually go and can afford to watch games?

You can say the same about laker fans but they are priced out and don’t really go to games

moby323 | 76ers

5 | 6 hours ago

They are priced out because the demand for tickets is so high

jared-944 | Supersonics

1 | 4 hours ago

Certainly. NHL has been a big hit in both places and NBA was in Seattle for all but the last era when movement was inevitable

dejvipasco | Bulls

0 | 2 hours ago

NHL Vegas Golden Knights are a success and have sellouts almost every game and are very high in the attendance rankings. It will be the same with the Vegas NBA team.

Lakers_23_77 | Lakers

1 | an hour ago

That is because they are a good team. The Raiders fan base isn’t the same in Vegas, but they do excellent in ticket sales. Unless Vegas gets an excellent team and a quick chip, it will be more about flying to Vegas for a fun weekend to watch your team, or driving up for Lakers fans to watch a game in between gambling.

Shepher27 | Timberwolves

0 | an hour ago

I have no idea why Vegas is appetizing for any pro sports franchises.

okiewxchaser | Thunder

-1 | 6 hours ago

I think the assumption is that Seattle is already spoken for. Bezos or someone like him will own the team

[deleted]

-1 | 6 hours ago

[deleted]

Distinct-College-917

-1 | 4 hours ago

93k tech jobs gone from Seattle. Starbucks moving HQ to Nashville or something. Apartments in Seattle offering 6 months rent free. Who’s going to pay $300 tickets? Love Seattle but it’s an NFL town unless Mariners in a playoff

GGTae | Spurs

-5 | 6 hours ago

I heard that Seattle passed some millionaire taxes law and it might become the most expensive state to live in for NBA players, so I don’t know

moby323 | 76ers

9 | 6 hours ago

Don’t LA and New York have among the highest taxes?

Every_Garlic_3497

3 | 5 hours ago

Seattle doesn’t offer what LA and NY offer.

TommyChongII | Trail Blazers

-7 | 5 hours ago

LOL ok.

Every_Garlic_3497

3 | 5 hours ago

LOL so if the taxes for LA, Seattle and NY were all the same or similar, ur telling me Seattle isn’t last on most ppl’s list?

TommyChongII | Trail Blazers

-2 | 5 hours ago

Cool, chief.

Every_Garlic_3497

2 | 4 hours ago

Aight wrap it up lil bro

brnccnt7

1 | 4 hours ago

Dude thinks Seattle is on the same tier as global cities like LA or NY

TommyChongII | Trail Blazers

-2 | 4 hours ago

Sure, boss.

elttaeSytlaSyatS

2 | 3 hours ago

Damn imagine getting this butt hurt over realizing Seattle is not LA or NY

TommyChongII | Trail Blazers

-2 | 3 hours ago

Homie, I don’t give a single shit. I didn’t even care enough to read the responses, I just said the same nonsense to trigger chronically online dorks like you.

Imagine getting 6 comments deep without realizing that and still begin so worked up you have to get in some stupid shit like that.

Go outside brother.

Conn3er | Spurs

2 | 5 hours ago

I mean, that’s just the reality of the situation lol

TommyChongII | Trail Blazers

-3 | 5 hours ago

Alright buddy.

baseketball | Celtics

2 | 5 hours ago

Most states have income tax so this makes no sense.

GGTae | Spurs

1 | 4 hours ago

I’m saying it’s ANOTHER layer, not that they didn’t had income tax already

QuasiContract | Supersonics

2 | 3 hours ago

WA does not have a state income tax. The new millionaire tax will be the first state income tax WA has ever had. The WA millionaire tax rate will be below the income tax rates of CA and NY.

GGTae | Spurs

1 | 3 hours ago

oh wow i didn’t knew thanks, it should be fine then !