<P> In June 2008 , a lawsuit brought by the city of Seattle against Bennett due to his attempts to break the final two years of the Sonics ' lease at KeyArena went to federal court . Nearly a month later , the two sides reached a settlement agreement . The terms awarded the city $45 million to get out of the remaining lease at KeyArena , and would have provided an additional $30 million payment to Seattle in 2013 if certain conditions had been met . The owners agreed to leave the SuperSonics name , logo and colors in Seattle for a possible future NBA franchise ; however , the items would remain the property of the Oklahoma City team along with other `` assets '' , including championship banners and trophies . On September 3 , 2008 , the team name , logo , and colors for the Oklahoma City franchise were revealed to the public . The name `` Thunder '' was chosen in reference to Oklahoma 's location in Tornado Alley and Oklahoma City as the home of the U.S. Army 's 45th Infantry Division , the Thunderbirds . </P>
<P> In June 2008 , a lawsuit brought by the city of Seattle against Bennett due to his attempts to break the final two years of the Sonics ' lease at KeyArena went to federal court . Nearly a month later , the two sides reached a settlement agreement . The terms awarded the city $45 million to get out of the remaining lease at KeyArena , and would have provided an additional $30 million payment to Seattle in 2013 if certain conditions had been met . The owners agreed to leave the SuperSonics name , logo and colors in Seattle for a possible future NBA franchise ; however , the items would remain the property of the Oklahoma City team along with other `` assets '' , including championship banners and trophies . On September 3 , 2008 , the team name , logo , and colors for the Oklahoma City franchise were revealed to the public . The name `` Thunder '' was chosen in reference to Oklahoma 's location in Tornado Alley and Oklahoma City as the home of the U.S. Army 's 45th Infantry Division , the Thunderbirds . </P>
when did the okc thunder come to oklahoma
when did the okc thunder come to oklahoma
September 3 , 2008
September 3 , 2008