Notable update emerges on possible Seattle NBA franchise comeback

Seattle still has a long way to go to have an NBA franchise again, but at least the needle is moving. 

Exploratory talks are underway about building a new arena near Marysville, Wash., involving a second bidder for a potential Seattle franchise and the Tulalip Tribes, according to Christian Clark and John Hollinger of The Athletic.

BlackSun Private Equity submitted a bid in August to facilitate the return of NBA basketball to Emerald City and plans to house the franchise on tribal-owned land, assuming the bid gets granted.

According to BlackSun’s chief global strategy and communications officer Nick Rathod, the Tulalip Tribes and BlackSun are “100 percent partnering” to make the dream of a new Seattle NBA arena come true.

It has been nearly two decades since the Seattle SuperSonics left town and relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. Seattle fans have lamented the franchise’s departure, but there has been movement of late toward an eventual return of the NBA to the city. 

Apart from BlackSun, the other group reportedly eyeing ownership of a Seattle NBA franchise is One Roof Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the majority stake in the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

In March, the NBA Board of Governors approved the league’s plan to explore the possibility of adding two more franchises, particularly in Seattle and Las Vegas.