Rejuvenation of the Supersonic franchise?

Remember back in the day when cheering fans got to see Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp create the dynamic duo known as the “Sonic Boom?” Remember the days when George Karl wasn't the coach of the Nuggets? If you can answer "yes" to either of these questions, get excited because Seattle is on the fast track to bringing a franchise back to town.

Sources are saying that a Seattle group, led by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and high roller Chris Hansen, have come to an agreement with the Maloof family who own the Sacramento Kings. The deal is slated around a $525 million price tag for the franchise, which has been in headlines for relocation over the last two seasons.

In this current agreement, the Seattle group would purchase a 65 percent majority in the team, leaving 35 percent to the Maloofs. This also includes selling the 12 percent minority which is owned by Bob Hernreich. Though the Maloofs would still own a small minority of the team, rumors say that if the sale goes through, the Maloofs will have no say in the relocation of the team, as well as other future endeavors.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who is a former NBA All-Star for the Phoenix Suns, is putting up a fight to keep the franchise in Northern California. Johnson is lobbying NBA commissioner David Stern for a chance to match the current deal with a group of local owners. This would allow the city to try and retain their team for the long haul. Commission Stern is reported to have agreed to meet with Johnson, but hasn't agreed to allow the local proposal.

The deadline for team relocation by the NBA is March 1^st. The belief is that if the purchase goes through by February 1^st, Hansen and Ballmer will apply for moving the franchise to Seattle for the 2013-14 season. Will the Seattle fans' desire to regain an NBA franchise be satiated? 

Photo courtesy of Seattle Sports Central