Seattle SuperSonics relocation and the founding of the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008)

The NBA franchise formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and was rebranded as the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder began play in the 2008–09 NBA season with home games at the Ford Center, which was later renamed Chesapeake Energy Arena and is now Paycom Center. The relocation established a permanent NBA presence in Oklahoma City and has been central to the city's recent sports history.