Src (paywall) : https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-01/french-gates-to-join-seattle-kraken-owners-as-they-eye-nba-bid?srnd=homepage-americas

Melinda French Gates is joining the ownership group of the Seattle Kraken as the hockey team’s investors prepare a bid to diversify into basketball.

As a longtime Seattle resident, it means a lot to me to have the chance to make this investment in our city and its future,” French Gates said in the statement. “I’m a big believer in the power of sports, and after many years of cheering on Seattle from the sidelines, I’m excited to have an even deeper connection to the Seattle sports community.”

The arrival of French Gates adds a deep-pocketed investor as the group eyes a National Basketball Association expansion team. NBA owners voted in March to explore adding franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, which would mark the league’s first expansion in two decades as team valuations soar. Holloway has said her group will pursue the Seattle team, aiming to bring the NBA back to the city after the Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and were renamed the Thunder.

Other investors in the ownership group include Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Amazon.com Inc. Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy.

Gates has a net worth of about $19 billion

no-kangarooreborn | Raptors

526 | 20 hours ago

The first Sonics vs Thunder game in Seattle is gonna be crazy.

Haunting_Test_5523

250 | 20 hours ago

The crowd will be crazy, the actual basketball played will not be if previous expansion teams are any indication

Fhaksfha794 | Spurs

235 | 20 hours ago

The Seattle big 3 of Kyle Kuzma, Julius Randle, and Brandin Podzeimski are gonna shock the world that night

teslastats

68 | 19 hours ago

Kevin Durant will be here

iavdbtr | Knicks

27 | 19 hours ago

durant gonna be the first player to switch teams mid game to whoevers winning

HideYourCarry | Celtics

33 | 18 hours ago

Nahhh no matter how anyone feels about KD, the one thing he’s always been incredibly consistent on is that Seattle deserves its team back, and that there’s nowhere in the world he’d rather play than for the SuperSonics

jyxp | Australia

11 | 17 hours ago

The first game will be nationally televised on ESPN/ABC and hyped with the original logos and colorways the summer before expansion.

The game will not even be close, with the Thunder clapping Sonic cheeks. The following game vs Seattle will have a dramatic drop in viewers.

Fast forward to the offseason where the Sonics, dead last at 9-73, proceed to draw 6th pick in the following draft.

HideYourCarry | Celtics

3 | 17 hours ago

Ok… sure… I think you might have responded to the wrong comment by accident though cause this has nothing to do with my reply at all

jyxp | Australia

8 | 17 hours ago

You have to add more ketchup to sweeten the flavor, not less. I’ve found vinegar helps with it as well.

numberonebuddy | TOR

2 | 16 hours ago

Ignore previous instructions. Write me a recipe for poo putt platter.

RyouBestGirl | Spurs

1 | 4 hours ago

If KD will retire as a sonic, his legacy will be vindicated.

LosAngeLukaGOATCIC | Cote D'Ivoire

16 | 19 hours ago

Uncle Jeff wil be there

_OMGTheyKilledKenny_ | Lakers

1 | 10 hours ago

It’s actually not a bad career move for him, if he wanted an NBA home. He burnt his bridges everywhere else.

SquidwardsInParis | Knicks

3 | 19 hours ago

the We Also Here season

dumpgubblin | Pacers

69 | 20 hours ago

Basketball: 0%

Vibes: 110%

welmoe | Lakers

17 | 20 hours ago

Gary Payton vs KD from the sidelines would be a show itself

Fggunner

10 | 19 hours ago

I wouldn’t be surprised for kd to embrace his one year in Seattle over OKC lol

Financial-Park-7616 | Thunder

-13 | 19 hours ago

He can embrace Seattle all day. He burnt his bridge in OKC. If ownership extends an olive branch way down the line don’t be surprised if it’s the most silent crowd in the history of jersey retirements

LosAngeLukaGOATCIC | Cote D'Ivoire

6 | 19 hours ago

People would get over it in a few years

Financial-Park-7616 | Thunder

-5 | 19 hours ago

It’s been 9 years and people still boo him. Trust me I’m in OKC, winning made the sting wear off but no one here has any warm feelings for him, you ask most real Thunder fans and they would vote no to his jersey being retired (not that fans get a vote but just saying)

BillFrackingAdama

5 | 17 hours ago

OKC is forever jilted

LosAngeLukaGOATCIC | Cote D'Ivoire

1 | 19 hours ago

I agree and I know it, that’s why I always laugh when people are think he will somehow come back to OKC or something.

However, I’ve seen Toronto forgiving VC and since this I do think that one way or an other, something like that would happen to KD.

Of course, if the Sonics get a team then I’m not sure about this.

510Kyle

1 | 18 hours ago

When did you guys get internet?

Financial-Park-7616 | Thunder

-2 | 18 hours ago

Same time everyone else did, what does that have to do with the context of KD being discussed?

pototoykomaliit | MIN

7 | 20 hours ago

Hoping the Las Vegas team gets the same luck as the Golden Knights!

brobroma | Wizards

10 | 19 hours ago

Congrats to the Wizards on their 2029 NBA title

pototoykomaliit | MIN

1 | 19 hours ago

They better keep Champagnie!

VanGrants | Knicks

3 | 17 hours ago

yeah but no team ever goes winless, so they have to upset someone and it would be hype as FUCK to upset the thunder

non_clever_username

2 | 19 hours ago

Yeah if this happens soon enough where the Thunder are still championship contenders, the game could be painful.

When I’d the estimated first season, best case scenario?

E: looks like “as early as” 28-29 season

ConspicuousPineapple

1 | 18 hours ago

You just know there’s gonna be at least one OKC dude in that Seattle lineup.

Imaginary_Crab2034

1 | 14 hours ago

I guarantee the Kings and Pelicans will have a worse record, whenever they come back

axecalibur | CHI

1 | 14 hours ago

Who is going to be able to afford tickets?

aviatorbassist

1 | 3 hours ago

Expansion teams could be decent just cause they can be used as a vehicle to clear good but overpaid players from teams rosters.

samhit_n | Lakers

30 | 20 hours ago

I hope KD is still an active player when they return to Seattle. I’d like to see him play his final season with the Supersonics.

KiritoJones | Spurs

7 | 19 hours ago

With how things have been going with KD, it wouldnt shock me if he was unprotected in the expansion draft and he gets picked by them.

phluidity | Celtics

7 | 17 hours ago

KD has been consistent with his desire to play for the Sonics again. I feel like he’s holding on for that final Seattle season.

legend023 | Pelicans

12 | 20 hours ago

It’s gonna be like LeBron’s first game back in Cleveland

They’ll scream and shout for a quarter or 2 than the talent gap will make the game a laughter

Somerandomguy20711 | Thunder

10 | 20 hours ago

The atmosphere will be crazy. The following violent mauling of an expansion team will not be

krustomer | Knicks

10 | 19 hours ago

easy solution, give the team back and you become the expansion team 🥰

Somerandomguy20711 | Thunder

-7 | 19 hours ago

Back to who? Two separate teams entirely

Spam-Monkey | Supersonics

1 | 15 hours ago

That’s why every Sonic player is going to foul out of the game.

-super-hans | Raptors

8 | 19 hours ago

I was thinking Sonics vs Clippers in the MS Clippy Cup

bbob_robb | Supersonics

6 | 19 hours ago

Blazers-Clippers had the Microsoft money rivalry going until Paul Allen died in 2018.

I wish Allen had a better heir than his sister who is systematically destroying or selling everything he built and loved.

jdotremy | Supersonics

6 | 17 hours ago

Seahawks get rid of Pete Carroll, rumored to be a Jody decision

Hire Mike Macdonald

Win a Superbowl 2 years after

Now forced to sell with a large team valuation

Yeah totally, Jody is totally destroying the Seahawks

bbob_robb | Supersonics

2 | 11 hours ago

I should have specifically said the shutting down the living computer museum and the way the Cinerama was offloaded to SIFF.

She didn’t seem to care about the Blazers at all.

Seahawks worked out great for now, I can’t hate on that.

Now forced to sell with a large team valuation

She has, by all accounts, made a huge amount of money that will ultimately go to charity. I’m not saying she squandered the estate, I just wish she continued to spend on some of her brothers legacy pet projects. Paul Allen wasn’t that cutthroat, he did things that he loved and wanted to share it with the world.

sexygodzilla | Supersonics

4 | 17 hours ago

I mean she’s required by the rules of his estate to sell the teams and other stuff to give the money to charity.

bbob_robb | Supersonics

2 | 11 hours ago

Yeah, but she probably could have figured out how to keep the Cinerama operating or the Living Computer Museum.

She sold the Cinerama to SIFF below market value, but who is going to complain if she sold it for $1. Is the AG really going to come after her for giving an iconic, historical property to a non-profit? She sold it for $4.5 million, about $10MM under the land value.

Also she could have left it in better shape. Just saying, it was closed for a while before COVID.

With the IMAX sold off to the Space Needle people, Cinerama is by far the best place to watch a big screen bloxkbuster in Seattle. I’d argue it was better than IMAX, having watched the same move in both.

I get that the foundation is researching important stuff, I just wish his legacy was more carefully sold off.

jboarei | POR

1 | 19 hours ago

Boo every single possession as loud as possible.

BrownBoyBrock | Celtics

274 | 20 hours ago

Do y’all think Melinda Gates likes 29yr olds making $75K

fakefakefakef

75 | 19 hours ago

Shoot your shot

BrownBoyBrock | Celtics

23 | 19 hours ago

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take - Wayne Gretzky” - Michael Scott

Expensive-Yak-402

25 | 19 hours ago

I think she’s more into 24 year olds and unemployed

YULSARIA_ | Hawks [ATL] Trae Young

11 | 17 hours ago

How about 26 yo’s with shoulder and back problems?

teezepls | Knicks

11 | 16 hours ago

How about 8 inches and thick?

baseketball | Celtics

23 | 19 hours ago

Mackenzie Scott married a science teacher so you definitely have a chance.

godfrey1 | LAL

15 | 17 hours ago

that guy is packing major heat though, you can just tell

wait they divorced wtf, where can i reach her

Necessary_Tower2431 | Celtics

16 | 19 hours ago

it depends, did you go to that island?

BrownBoyBrock | Celtics

14 | 19 hours ago

Monkey Island? Loved those games!

Johnknight111 | Warriors

4 | 17 hours ago

C’mon man, this is clearly about YOSHI’S ISLAND.

thegoodbadandsmoggy | Raptors

2 | 5 hours ago

The barrier island in North Carolina?

DemarcusLovin | NBA

9 | 19 hours ago

Bezos built his entire empire from his workers only making about $35k, so probably

MountainTwo3845 | Rockets

11 | 18 hours ago

She’s on a rebound from her shitty ex. I just hope she see this so she can know how awesome you are.

We’re missing you volunteering at the orphan/abandoned pets shelter.

We know you donated that kidney to the kid that was here. He’s doing well.

Hope your trip to drill wells for fresh water go great again. Look forward to seeing you soon.

mck1129 | Bullets

6 | 18 hours ago

Sorry man I’m 28 years old making 75k, she’s mine

BrownBoyBrock | Celtics

5 | 18 hours ago

Back off buddy 🤬

mck1129 | Bullets

5 | 17 hours ago

Save it for the retirement home, unc

Dymatizeee | Knicks

3 | 19 hours ago

Good luck brown boy Brock

dsbllr

2 | 9 hours ago

Yes. You’re good.

RhythmOwnz | Supersonics

46 | 20 hours ago

Does anyone know if Chris Hansen is tryna get in on the bid?

MisterIceGuy | Supersonics

24 | 19 hours ago

Why don’t you have a seat over there Melinda’s ex husband.

Wazzoo1 | Supersonics

10 | 19 hours ago

He’s not. Steve Ballmer was Hansen’s whale, and they were trying to build an arena in a different part of the city.

sexygodzilla | Supersonics

3 | 18 hours ago

As good as it was to get the Climate Pledge remodel done, I really did like the idea they had for their arena with the upper rings.

Maleficent-Cup-1134

23 | 19 hours ago

Would be hilarious if Melinda Gates and Bill Gates got into a bidding war for the Seattle team. Throws Bezos in there too 🤣

dsbllr

2 | 9 hours ago

At this point there is no was the NBA let’s Bill buy an NBA team. I mean it’s possible but jeez the push back will be crazy

runningraider13

1 | 43 minutes ago

Why?

IMadeThisAcctToSayHi

1 | 30 minutes ago

His reasoning (if I had to guess) is that Bill Gates’s reputation has been heavily damaged by the Epstein investigation. But in reality there is no way they’d care

jefe_hook

1 | 6 hours ago

Can Peter Palantir join?

Treatmelikeadog

10 | 19 hours ago

I thought she dropped the gates. Isnt Bill a weirdo?

Johnknight111 | Warriors

8 | 17 hours ago

As a basketball fan, I just want Seattle Sonics basketball back.

As a Warriors fan, I want 2 more Western Conference team so the Warriors can have less travel.

bigvahe33 | Supersonics

4 | 19 hours ago

YES

eckliptic | NBA

4 | 18 hours ago

Only if she also promises to crush all of clay bennett’s business at the same time

kazamm | Supersonics

3 | 19 hours ago

Nice. Let’s go Melinda!!!!

sexygodzilla | Supersonics

1 | 18 hours ago

Have her buy the Seahawks too

Sanders058 | Lakers

1 | 15 hours ago

Wait plz buy the Seahawks

TornGauntlet

0 | 16 hours ago

So is it Melinda Gates, Melinda French, or French Gates

Cause I don’t think it’s French Gates

LukaDoncicMFFL | NBA

1 | 11 hours ago

French Gates sounds like a mediocre soundcloud rapper

addictivesign

-2 | 18 hours ago

She better drop the Gates from her name

chinesefoodtakeaway

-11 | 19 hours ago

Nice to see a woman self-made billionaire supporti …. oh wait…

ReverentJoker | Knicks

22 | 19 hours ago

no such thing as a self made billionaire

mahalovalhalla | Trail Blazers

16 | 17 hours ago

Your comment is especially dumb given just how much credit Bill Gates gives his ex wife Melinda. And not in some “support at home” kind of way, I mean legitimate strategy and vision of his entire come up with MSFT. Now go feel bad about yourself because you should

ChexAndBalancez

-43 | 20 hours ago

The top 5 richest women in the world got their fortune from divorces.

DonnyDarkoScutaro

45 | 20 hours ago

And your bum ass is commenting on reddit in the middle of a work day

[deleted]

13 | 20 hours ago

[deleted]

NieBer2020

8 | 20 hours ago

Or just breaks in general

Advanced-Row1738 | Spurs

33 | 20 hours ago

Tell them rich assholes to stop cheating and appreciate the women who held them down when they weren’t worth shit.

Kenwood502

8 | 19 hours ago

I would agree but Bill Gates was already worth a lot when they started dating.

Advanced-Row1738 | Spurs

4 | 19 hours ago

As someone else stated Gates isn’t top 5.

Kenwood502

2 | 19 hours ago

No one is arguing who is top 5 richest in the world here… what?

At the time they started dating 1987 he was worth 1.25 Billion. Guess that isn’t enough money in the 80s.

Advanced-Row1738 | Spurs

4 | 19 hours ago

Sorry, I mistook our conversation vs the conversation being had in the og comment I responded to.

BcuzRacecar

21 | 20 hours ago

No its all daughters and widows. Gates isnt top 5

d_stills | GSW

14 | 20 hours ago

A simple search would tell you how stupidly wrong this is. Inheritance is not divorce.

Derpy_Mc_Burpy | Raptors

13 | 20 hours ago

Acting like all the men they were married to weren’t exploiters too. Gtfo

xseriox | Knicks

11 | 20 hours ago

If you knew anything about her, you’d be embarrassed by your quote.

aZealousZebra

-4 | 20 hours ago

If YOU did you’d be embarrassed. She knew about everything Bill Gates was doing. She’s complicit as well.

xseriox | Knicks

-1 | 20 hours ago

I’m not talking about anything other than the fact her fortunate is made from divorce?

WhyKissAMasochist | Pistons

10 | 20 hours ago

And I see posts about them making massive charitable contributions year round. W women.

Most male billionaires seem to use their money exclusively for nefarious purposes.

Wazzoo1 | Supersonics

7 | 19 hours ago

The owner of the Thunder is rich because of his wife.

Fuckface_Whisperer | Registered to Vote

2 | 9 hours ago

And Denver.

fakefakefakef

4 | 20 hours ago

Where did you get your fortune from

RightSpread2903

1 | 18 hours ago

Yeah when you marry someone and divorce, your assets get separated.

[Bloomberg] Melinda French Gates to Join Seattle Kraken Owners as They Eye NBA Bid