Seattle Arena Rally: Quotes From Big Lo, Softy Mahler And Aaron Brooks

SB Nation Seattle had the opportunity of interviewing a few local sports figures at Thursday's rally.

Big Lo, Seattle's "Biggest" Sports Fan,

On what it feels like to be at the rally:

I feel like a kid at the candy store. This is like a reunion. To see all these guys, [Shawn] Kemp, [Kevin] Calabro, Gary [Payton], Nate Rob. It fills your heart with joy.

Comparing 2008 Save Our Sonics rally to Thursday's:

This is better than 2008. ... This feels like a future hello.

On the Mariners' opposition to the arena proposal:

I see the traffic down there all the time. It's going to be there no matter what. I think the Mariners are wrong thinking it'll hurt their organization.

950 KJR Radio Host Dave Softy Mahler's general thoughts on the rally:

This city showed that they deserve a team back and that they deserve a team back now. If it doesn't happen after all of the emotion shown here today than shame on us.

Aaron Brooks, NBA player and Franklin HS graduate on his decision to attend the rally:

It was out of respect for the Sonics and Gary Payton — I remember attending his camp when I was a kid. I have respect for Gary. I want to play here again. We need to have a team here.

Stay right here with us in our Sonics Arena Rally StoryStream and for more background on the bid to build a new sports arena in Seattle, head over to our NBA, NHL in Seattle StoryStream.

Seattle Arena Rally: Video Of Fan Reaction And Opening Remarks

SB Nation Seattle chatted with a few fans at Thursday's Sonics Rally to get their thoughts on the event.

Seattle Arena Rally: Video Interview With Geologic (Blue Scholars)

SB Nation Seattle caught up with Geologic of the Blue Scholars after their set at Thursday's Sonics Arena Rally at Occidental Park. Geologic is one of Seattle's biggest sports fans. References to the Sonics can be found in the lyrics of the local rapper in several of the Blue Scholars' songs.

In May 2011, the Blue Scholars collaborated with Slick Watts and produced a video for their song named after the Sonics legend. "Slick Watts" pays homage to the Sonics by roll calling former players that have worn the green and gold.

Geologic gives us his thoughts on what it was like performing at the rally along with his opinion on the current opposition to the proposed arena deal.

Sonics Rally 2012, Interview with Geologic (Blue Scholars) (via kcacabelos)

Read SB Nation Seattle's earlier interview with Geologic about his Seattle sports fandom here.

Stay right here with us in our Sonics Arena Rally StoryStream and for more background on the bid to build a new sports arena in Seattle, head over to our NBA, NHL in Seattle StoryStream.

VIDEO: Seattle Sonics Rally, Gary Payton And Chris Hansen Speeches

Thursday's Sonics Rally featured a handful of big names, but no two names were bigger than Gary Payton's and Chris Hansen's. Gary Payton is the unquestionable face of the Sonics franchise and Sonics history in general. "The Glove" could see hundreds of people at Occidental Park wearing his No. 20 jersey. Payton reiterated his wish to have his jersey hung up in the rafters in Seattle.

Sonics Rally 2012, Gary Payton Speech (via kcacabelos)

None of this would have been possible without the efforts of Chris Hansen. The formerly mysterious Hansen showed up in the flesh for every Sonics fan to see and addressed the crowd at Occidental Park. The man behind the stadium proposal urged fans to voice their opinion and their passion in letters and emails to the Seattle City and King County councils.

Sonics Rally 2012, Chris Hansen Speech (via kcacabelos)

Stay right here with us in our Sonics Arena Rally StoryStream and for more background on the bid to build a new sports arena in Seattle, head over to our NBA, NHL in Seattle StoryStream.

Seattle Sonics Rally: Video Interview With Sonicsgate's Adam Brown

SB Nation Seattle spoke with Adam Brown the producer of "Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team," during Thursday's Sonics rally. Brown gave us his thoughts on the rally, Chris Hansen and the recent national television airing of Sonicsgate. See our interview with Brown below:

Sonics Rally 2012, Interview with Adam Brown (Producer of Sonicsgate) (via kcacabelos)

CNBC will re-air Sonicsgate in its entirety on Friday at 6:00 p.m. PT. Sonicsgate is not only an obvious must-view for all Sonics fans, but a film for all sports fans and how fans are sometimes helpless against the big business of professional sports.

In 2010, the film was given the Webby award for best sports film. For more information on film, head over to the Sonicsgate official website. The movie was recently released on DVD and can be purchased at Costco, Amazon and the Seattle Team Shop.

Stay right here with us in our Sonics Arena Rally StoryStream and for more background on the bid to build a new sports arena in Seattle, head over to our NBA, NHL in Seattle StoryStream.

Seattle Sonics Rally: Pictures From Occidental Park

When else will you have the opportunity to wear a Danny Fortson jersey in public? From Gary Payton to Brent Barry, just about every Sonics jersey was visible at Thursday's Bring Back Our Sonics Rally at Occidental Park. Along with the different jerseys, various witty t-shirts were being worn along with some real old school apparel. I snapped as many photos as I could of the different jerseys, t-shirts and signs at the rally.

I could tell you what it was like to be at the rally, but it might be better to just show you. The pictures speak for themselves:

Sonics gear can be seen frequently around the city, but it was refreshing to see all of the green and gold assembled in one place at the same time — it was almost like I was at a game. Comment this post and let us know what your favorite picture was.

Stay right here with us in our Sonics Arena Rally StoryStream and for more background on the bid to build a new sports arena in Seattle, head over to our NBA, NHL in Seattle StoryStream.

Seattle Arena Rally: Young Kids, Former Super Sonics Are Excited For Basketball Once Again

The city of Seattle is hosting a rally this afternoon to help drum up momentum for a new arena that would house an NBA franchise for years to come. This is an area that really misses their Super Sonics, and the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are playing so well right now only rubs salt into the wound. Fortunately for the basketball and arena advocates in the area, there have been talks for months of hoops returning to Seattle in the near future.

There are a ton of things to do at the rally and thousands of folks turned out for the event. The guys at Sonics Arena are live blogging the event and have a few great photos.

Here is a young kid who has a pretty sweet design cut into his hair:

Via BarberDel.

There are also numerous NBA players expected to attend, including Gary Payton and Slick Watts. Here is a photo of Watts interacting with some fans at the rally.

Via Chris Daniels of King5News.

This really does seem like a great event and we can only hope it encourages those making decisions about the arena to push harder and harder for funding. The rally will wrap up around 6 p.m. tonight.

Be sure to check out SonicsArena.com for more photos and updates throughout the day.

For more up to date news and analysis on the new arena, make sure to follow SB Nation Seattle's StoryStream.

Sonics Arena Rally: Everything You Need To Know About Thursday's Event

It's time to show your support, people of Seattle. It's time to rally up for your Sonics as the city tries to bring a hungry NBA fanbase another franchise once again!

The folks over at sonicsarena.com are getting a rally going this Thursday evening for all of your diehards out there, so clear your schedule, get your Sonics gear out of the closet and get your butts down to Occidental Park this evening!

Where: Occidental Park, S Main St & Occidental Ave S
When: Thursday, June 14th 4-6pm
What to Wear: Your best Sonics gear or course.

Featured NBA legends include:

Shawn Kemp
Gary Payton
Slick Watts
Detlef Schrempf
Nate Robinson

Former voice of the Sonics Kevin Calabro
Former Guns 'N Roses Bassist Duff McKagan

Musical Artists:

Blue Scholars
Common Market
The Dangerettes
The Presidents of the United States of America

Radio Stations:

710 ESPN
950 KJR
106.1 KISS
KUBE 93

Featured Food Trucks:

Skillet
Off the Rez
Bluebird

via www.sonicsarena.com

For more up to date news and analysis on the new arena, make sure to follow SB Nation Seattle's StoryStream.

Seattle Sonics Arena Rally: Who, What, Where and When

The investment group led by Christopher Hansen is holding a rally this Thursday, June 14th in order to show city and county officials just how serious NBA fans here in Seattle are about getting a franchise back in town. Fans and supporters are encouraged to show up to Occidental Park near Pioneer Square from 4pm - 6pm on Thursday, decked out in Sonics' green and gold, for the chance to hear from some local legends and musical acts.

Expected to be in attendance are former SuperSonics Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Slick Watts, and Detlef Schrempf, former voice of the Sonics, Kevin Calabro, rapper Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Guns 'N Roses' former bassist Duff McKagan, KJR's Mike "Gasman" Gastineau, KISS' Bender, and KUBE's Eric Powers.

The Blue Scholars, Common Market, Presidents of the United States and The Dangerettes are expected to be performing as well. It's truly a can't-miss event and the best opportunity yet for fans to show their public support for the bid to build a new multi-sport arena in the Sodo neighborhood that could house NBA and NHL franchises here in Seattle.

Also, if you're just a fan of food, you're more than welcome too - foodtrucks Skillet, Off the Rez, & Bluebird will be there to feed the masses.

Head over to SonicsArena.com to get more of the details. Tell your friends. Get out your old Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schrempf, Gary Payton or Slick Watts jerseys (and headbands) and head toward Pioneer Square Thursday at 4pm.

Stay right here with us in our Sonics Arena Rally StoryStream and for more background on the bid to build a new sports arena in Seattle, head over to our NBA, NHL in Seattle StoryStream.

Seattle Arena Rally: Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp Expected To Attend Event

Interview: Talking Seattle Sports With Geologic Of The Blue Scholars

SB Nation Seattle talks sports with Geologic of the Blue Scholars, one of the biggest sports fans in the region.