From Glory to Goodbye: Thunder Owners May Sell Team After Championship Triumph
Fresh off their first-ever NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder may be at a turning point—not just on the court, but in the front office. According to a source close to Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett, there is growing momentum behind the idea of selling the franchise. The reasoning? The soaring valuation of NBA teams, combined with the Thunder finally reaching the pinnacle of basketball success.
The timing couldn’t be more ideal for a sale. After bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the ownership group has arguably accomplished every major goal it set when it relocated the franchise from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. Not only did they introduce professional basketball to a new market, but they also built a competitive team, developed a loyal fanbase, and now, 17 seasons later, captured a championship.
The franchise’s current valuation, according to Forbes, stands at approximately $3.65 billion as of 2024. However, that number is likely conservative in today’s rapidly inflating NBA market. Recent team sales, including those of the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, suggest that bidding could push the Thunder’s price tag significantly higher.
Clay Bennett, despite criticism during the James Harden trade years ago, has generally been a well-regarded owner. Under his leadership, the team has compiled an impressive 793-565 record and has reached the playoffs in 12 of 17 seasons. This season, they finally broke through to win their first title—an achievement that marks the perfect bookend for the current ownership’s tenure.
Following in the footsteps of the Boston Celtics’ owners—who recently announced intentions to sell after their own 2024 championship—Bennett and his partners may see now as the optimal time to exit. With the mission accomplished and the franchise at peak value, a sale would mark the end of a historic chapter in Oklahoma City sports and possibly the beginning of a new one.
