Oklahoma City Thunder writer wants apology from Seattle fans if Sonics return

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6 days ago

March 21, 2026

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Oklahoma City Thunder writer wants apology from Seattle fans if Sonics return

The Seattle SuperSonics haven’t touched the floor in almost 20 years since the beloved team was taken to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder in 2008.
It’s been two decades since one of the most painful relocations in the history of professional sports. That year, Oklahoma investor Clay Bennett moved the Sonics to Oklahoma City after purchasing the franchise from Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz two years prior.
Seattle fans still haven’t gotten over the move all these years later, and who could really blame them after the way their team was ripped out of their city. However, Sonics fans are closer than ever to getting the Sonics back after the NBA went public with its hopes to expand to 32 teams by placing teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.
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You would think this would be a story that would be celebrated across the universe. And since Oklahoma City just won a championship with the Thunder and are the favorites to win another NBA title this year, you would think that Seattle getting back their Sonics would be the least of their concerns. They won and they continue to win. Seattle getting the Sonics name, history, and colors back from the Thunder already has precedent with the re-christening of the Charlotte Hornets and the complicated web between Charlotte and New Orleans franchises. So what’s the big deal, right?
Well, USA Today’s OKC Thunder wire reporter Clemente Almanza doesn’t quite see it that way.
In a column entitled, “If Sonics want history back, Seattle owes OKC Thunder an apology,” Almanza makes the case that aggrieved Sonics fans should say sorry after actively rooting against the Thunder for so many years.

If the Sonics are brought back, how do the Thunder address the giant elephant in the room? Of course, I’m talking about Seattle’s NBA history from 1967 to 2007. Does OKC gift it back to Seattle, when it technically doesn’t have to, when you look at the nitty-gritty of the original contract details?

The Thunder give the Sonics back their history, it’s not that hard. They’re not going to take the 2025 NBA Finals trophy with them! And it’s not even like the Thunder are using Sonics-inspired throwback jerseys with the famous green and gold color combos like the Tennessee Titans do with the history of the Houston Oilers.

Yeah. Sure. Might as well. Not like the Thunder acknowledges the Sonics’ history even though they technically own it.

Ok good, now everyone is on the same page and we should be able to move forward together.
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But under one caveat — an apology.

* insert blinking guy gif here *
Sonics fans in Seattle owe Oklahoma City and Thunder fans an apology? After going without a basketball team for 20 years and seeing the franchise that was taken away from them build the best young team in the league that looks like they are turning into a dynasty before their eyes? What about other fans that have had to suffer from losing their teams? Should Oakland A’s fans just thank John Fisher for the memories and wish them well in Sacramento and Las Vegas and wherever else they actually play?

For 18 years, Thunder fans have dealt with Sonics fans’ bitter behavior. When an inconvenience happens to OKC, Seattleites are the first to celebrate with online parties. Angered over a dramatic divorce, that group of people is directing their emotions at the wrong group.
Sonics fans should really be mad at Howard Schultz and the previous group. After all, they’re the ones who sold the NBA franchise to Bennett. Once that move was made, the writing was on the wall with an eventual relocation — especially since Seattle didn’t want to pony up for a new NBA arena.

Professional sports fans are beginning to warm up to the idea that billion dollar local government bailouts for billionaire owners aren’t exactly the best use of public funds. There were even serious questions about the renovation of KeyArena (now Climate Pledge Arena) when it happened in 2018 and that was without a guarantee that the Sonics would ever return. Now Seattle has an NHL team and perhaps an NBA team on the way. But it has certainly come at a significant cost.
And for that matter, are Thunder fans really watching over their shoulder worried about what people in a city almost 2,000 miles away think about their basketball teams? It’s not like Seattle fans are conducting operations in the streets of Oklahoma City to deface Thunder billboards or anything. Where are the Thunder fans who are so agonized that Seattle didn’t enjoy their title as much as they did in Oklahoma City?!?
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They weren’t the ones who refused to accommodate an NBA team. They weren’t the ones who sold the team to an out-of-state ownership group when local groups were interested. They weren’t the ones who were gullible enough to believe an out-of-state ownership group had a real interest in staying put.
I digress. Feels like that should be water under the bridge soon. Seattle should get an NBA team by the end of the decade. But if they want their Sonics’ history back, an apology is in order. That’s what happens when you have nearly two decades of misguided anger.

Telling Sonics fans not to be angry at Clay Bennett for moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City is like asking Cleveland Browns fans not to be angry at Art Modell. It’s never going to happen in a million years. Seattle basketball fans got to see Kevin Durant’s rookie season and then he left. That’s one of the biggest teases in sports history. Let alone multiple eras of sustained success in Oklahoma City. You can understand there might be some bitterness! And it’s totally natural and understandable. As are the replies on social media that aren’t exactly in agreement with Almanza’s column.
Trying to hold the Sonics history hostage for a mythical apology is a hot take that not even ChatGPT could conjure up if you asked it to create the most scorching opinion about the entire situation. The column may get some cheers locally, and maybe that’s all it’s meant to do. But the only thing it will really accomplish is making the bad blood in Seattle boil even more after being told what to do by someone representing who they believe truly wronged them. That first visit of the Thunder to Seattle will only be matched by LeBron James’ first game back in Cleveland after joining the Miami Heat. And it’ll be must-see TV for basketball fans everywhere.

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Rapper Snoop Dogg to star in, produce ‘God of the Rodeo’ film shot in Oklahoma

Published

58 minutes ago

March 27, 2026

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Rapper Snoop Dogg to star in, produce ‘God of the Rodeo’ film shot in Oklahoma

Rapper and hip hop icon Snoop Dogg is set to produce and star in a feature film that will be shot in Oklahoma this year.

“God of the Rodeo” is based on a 1998 book from New York-based journalist and author Daniel Bergner, who reported on inmates competing in a controversial rodeo inside Louisiana’s Angola Prison in the 1960s. According to Deadline, the film centers around Bucckey, an inmate serving a life sentence who “finds a glimmer of redemption” through the rodeo. Snoop’s role has not yet been announced.

The film is directed by Rosalind Ross, who is best known for writing, directing and executive producing “Father Stu.” Snoop will produce alongside Sara Ramker, Giannina Scott and Ridley Scott, Deadline reports.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce confirmed to News 9 on Friday “God of the Rodeo” was pre-approved for the state’s film incentive program through Oklahoma Film + Music.

Filming is scheduled in Oklahoma for June 15 through July 31, according to Oklahoma Film + Music’s website. The website also lists Tulsa-based production company Rebellium Films as working on the film. Filming locations have not been announced yet.

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Oklahoma City Comets preliminary 2026 roster

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2026

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Oklahoma City Comets preliminary 2026 roster

The Oklahoma City Comets, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, unveiled their initial roster on Thursday, with opening day set for Friday night in Oklahoma City against the Albuquerque Isotopes, a Rockies’ farm team.

Among the 43 players on the Dodgers 40-man roster, 10 are on the injured list (three on the 60-day IL, which expands this list to 43), and 26 are active in the majors. Six of the seven remaining 40-man players for the Comets.

River Ryan is the only unaccounted 40-man player not on the preliminary Oklahoma City roster, but he could join them soon. Ryan is slated to pitch this weekend in Arizona, Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic reported Thursday.

Hyeseong Kim lost out to Alex Freeland for a spot on the opening day roster, with the Dodgers wanting Kim to split time between second base, shortstop, and center field in Triple-A.

“There’s no doubt that Hyeseong at some point is going to come help us out. I think the driver, as far as at the outset, is giving Hyeseong an opportunity to play every day, play all over the diamond,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday.

Kyle Hurt is among the relievers. After an impressive spring training, the Dodgers opted to slow-play the right-hander missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get called up as a need arises in the majors.

Paul Gervase also impressed in spring, and left-hander Ronan Kopp is in his first year on the 40-man roster. Expect a lot of strikeouts from that pair.

Ryan Ward is also on the 40-man roster for the first time, but he returns to Oklahoma City, where the reigning Pacific Coast League MVP he holds several club records in the Bricktown era, a period since the current ballpark opened in 1998. Michael Siani will patrol the outfield for the Comets, likely flanked by Zach Ehrhard and/or James Tibbs.

Ehrhard and Tibbs, acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Dustin May last July, impressed as non-roster invitees in camp and as the older and more experienced of the plethora of stellar Dodgers outfield prospects are the closest to the majors among the group.

Jack Suwinski was briefly on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster this offseason, as was utility man Ryan Fitzgerald, who will likely play all over the infield and potentially some outfield for the Comets. Defensive whiz Noah Miller will play shortstop for Oklahoma City, whose infield also has Nick Senzel and Ryan Fitgerald, all of whom were non-roster invitees this spring for the Dodgers.

Veteran pitchers Cole Irvin and Keynan Middleton are on the Comets’ staff. Other Oklahoma City pitchers with major league experience are River’s brother Ryder Ryan, Garrett McDaniels, and Carlos Duran (pitched one game for the Athletics last season).

Irvin and Ryder Ryan will start the first two games, followed by Christian Romero on Sunday, per play-by-play broadcaster Alex Freedman.

Left-hander Antoine Kelly and right-hander Chris Campos, who were the last two non-roster pitchers standing in Dodgers camp this spring, each are on the Comets preliminary roster. left-hander Logan Allen, who signed a minor league contract last week, is also with Oklahoma City.

Pitcher José Rodríguez, who was touted as a potential Rule 5 Draft pick last December but went unselected, was a non-roster invitee this spring training but did not pitch. He starts the season on the 60-day injured list, as does veteran first baseman Matt Gorski.

Oklahoma City preliminary roster

Starting pitchers (4): Cole Irvin, Ryder Ryan, Cristian Romero, Carlos Duran
Right-handed relievers (8): Kyle Hurt*, Paul Gervase*, Chris Campos, Keynan Middleton, Jordan Weems, Wyatt Mills, Antonio Knowles, Jerming Rosario
Left-handed relievers (4): Ronan Kopp*, Antoine Kelly, Logan Allen Garrett McDaniels
Catchers (2): Eliézer Alfonzo, Seby Zavala
Infielders (4): Ryan Fitzgerald, Noah Miller, Nick Senzel, Austin Gauthier
Outfielders (4): Michael Siani*, Ryan Ward*, Jack Suwinski, Zach Ehrhard
Infielder/outfielders (2): Hyeseong Kim*, James Tibbs III
Injured list (2): rhp José Rodríguez (60-day), 1b Matt Gorski (60-day)

The Comets will finalize the roster before Friday’s season opener.

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Snoop Dogg’s new movie ‘God of the Rodeo’ to film in Oklahoma

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Snoop Dogg’s new movie ‘God of the Rodeo’ to film in Oklahoma

Snoop Dogg will star in and produce the upcoming movie “God of the Rodeo.”
The film is set to shoot this summer in Tulsa and the historic Black town of Boley, Oklahoma.
Shia LaBeouf is also cast in the film, which is produced by Ridley Scott and Giannina Scott.

Grammy-nominated pop-culture icon Snoop Dogg will star in and produce an upcoming movie set to film this summer in Oklahoma’s second largest city as well as one of the Sooner State’s historic Black towns.

The hip-hop legend, television personality and actor is the second A-lister to board the period piece “God of the Rodeo.” Deadline reports that Snoop has not only been cast in a starring role, but he and his Death Row Pictures partner, Sara Ramaker, also have signed on to produce the historical drama.

They are joining actress-turned-producer Giannina (Facio) Scott (“House of Gucci”), who is producing for Cara Films, and her husband, celebrated British filmmaker and four-time Oscar nominee Sir Ridley Scott (the “Gladiator” movies), who is producing via his Scott Free Productions.

“Linking up with Scott Free Productions and working with Ridley Scott and Giannina Scott on God of the Rodeo is life changing and an honor,” Snoop told Deadline.

“Me and the team at Death Row Pictures stepping in as producers, I’m acting in it, and Death Row Records is building the soundtrack — and this one got soul. … We’re bringing an important story and something special to the screen.”

Snoop joins embattled actor Shia LaBeouf (“Holes”), whom Deadline reported last year was starring in the project, in the cast of “God of the Rodeo.”

“Snoop Dogg is one of the most gifted and influential artists alive, with admirers and fans all over the world and from every generation transcending music, sports and culture,” Giannina Scott told Deadline. “Ridley and I, with our companies Scott Free and Cara Films, are so excited and blessed to have Snoop join the cast, and for him, Sara and Death Row Pictures to partner with us to produce this important and soulful project from Rosalind Ross.”

What is the upcoming movie ‘God of the Rodeo’ about?

The film is based on the work of New York City-based author and journalist Daniel Bergner, whose 1998 nonfiction book “God of the Rodeo: The Search for Hope, Faith, and a Six-Second Ride in Louisiana’s Angola Prison” was named a notable book of the year by The New York Times.

Set in 1967 inside Louisiana’s Angola Prison — now the largest maximum-security prison in the country and historically one of the most dangerous in the South — the forthcoming film centers on Buckkey, a hardened inmate serving a life sentence who finds a glimmer of redemption in an unlikely opportunity: the prison’s first-ever inmate rodeo.

As Buckkey and his fellow inmates prepare for a last grasp at glory, they’re confronted with the reality that the rodeo is nothing more than a gladiatorial showcase — a grueling fight for survival designed to satiate the public’s bloodlust and fulfill the warden’s delusion of godliness.

Rosalind Ross (“Father Stu”) is writing and directing the project, and Snoop praised her adaptation of “God of the Rodeo” as “a story with heart and grit, and that’s what I’m about” in the Deadline story.

“It’s a thrill and an honor as a filmmaker to bring the legendary swagger, soul and eccentricity of Snoop to this story in what will be a completely transformative role for him,” Ross said, according to Deadline.

“Moreover, I’m deeply gratified by the kindred artistic spirit and conviction of cause that Snoop, Sara and Death Row Pictures have for this collaboration with myself, Giannina, Ridley, and the rest of our incredible producing team.”

When and where in Oklahoma is the movie ‘God of the Rodeo’ set to film?

“God of the Rodeo” also is a project of Rebellium Films, a prolific Tulsa-based production company behind the recent Oklahoma made-movies “Brian,” a comedy that premiered earlier this month at South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, and “The Gates,” a thriller featuring the late James Van Der Beek’s final film role that opened this month in select theaters.

“God of the Rodeo” will film in Boley and Tulsa and use the state film incentive as well as the new Tulsa Film Incentive, Rebellium Films owner and producer Randy Wayne told The Oklahoman.

The largest and best-known of Oklahoma’s historically all-Black towns — and one of only 13 still in existence — Boley has a rich rodeo history. Since 1903, the the Okfuskee County town has hosted the Boley Rodeo, the nation’s oldest Black community-based rodeo and a longstanding Memorial Day weekend tradition.

“God of the Rodeo” is scheduled to film June 15 to July 31 in the Sooner State, according to the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.

Will Shia LaBeouf be able to star in ‘God of the Rodeo?’

While Snoop Dogg has been experiencing a career resurgence — the rapper served as Team USA’s first honorary coach for the 2026 Winter Olympics, was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 and recently spent two seasons as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” — LaBeouf has been embroiled in more legal trouble since his casting in “God of the Rodeo” was announced last year.

During last month’s Mardi Gras celebrations, the controversial actor and former child star was arrested in New Orleans for a pair of alleged assaults, USA TODAY reports. A NOLA judge subsequently ordered to LaBeouf to return to rehab as well as submit to weekly drug tests.

Plus, his former partner FKA Twigs is suing LeBeouf, alleging he tried to use an “unlawful” nondisclosure agreement to silence her, years after she accused him of sexual battery and assault. In a legal complaint filed Wednesday, March 25, the British electronic pop artist set out to block LaBeouf from enforcing parts of the NDA that she claims violate California law and public policy.

She previously accused LeBeouf of sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress in a 2020 lawsuit that was settled in July 2025.

LeBeouf has filmed in Oklahoma before, including on the 2016 Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize-winning road movie “American Honey,” which was partially made in Muskogee.

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