Is Steve Ballmer about to bring the Sonics back to Seattle?

Yahoo Sports is reporting that a group led by Microsoft’s Ballmer and hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen is in the process of finalizing a deal with the Maloof family – owners of the ailing Sacramento Kings. The deal is reportedly for $500 million, and will see the franchise move to Seattle to play in the KeyArena as soon as next season.

It’s definitely not official, but one source said it was “first and goal at the 1.” So, a football reference suggests that this basketball deal will most likely move forward.

According to the report the deal, if finalized, could see the team set up in Seattle in time to play the 2013-14 season. Sources claim that NBA commissioner David Stern will be all too willing to help facilitate the move, if the sale goes through.

The Seattle Supersonics (or just Sonics) played their last game in 2008. The team was relocated to Oklahoma City following that season and now plays as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Under the agreement that facilitated that move, the Sonics’ nickname, logo, and colors were left available if someone just so happened to want to revive them…

And in steps Ballmer’s group, who according to the report will change the Kings’ logo and name back to the Sonics.

I can only imagine that Seattle residents will be thrilled to hear this news. With the same name, it’s almost like they can pick up right where they left off – almost.

Although we think that the Seattle Surfaces would have been a nice touch.