Fresh off their first NBA championship in franchise history, the Oklahoma City Thunder are basking in the glow of success. But behind the scenes, a different kind of momentum, one that could reshape the future of the organization, may be building. According to a report from Tulsa World, a source close to Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett has indicated that the team’s ownership group is “quite likely” to consider selling the franchise in the near future, citing the skyrocketing value of NBA teams as a key motivator.
The timing is no coincidence. The Thunder’s 2025 title run, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a young, dynamic core, has elevated the team’s profile and market value. Forbes valued the franchise at $3.65 billion in 2024, but that number may already be outdated. With recent sales like the Celtics ($6.1 billion) and Lakers ($10 billion) setting new benchmarks, the Thunder’s ownership group, comprised of Bennett and six other Oklahoma-based investors, could be looking at a tenfold return on their original $350 million investment from 2006.
While no formal sale process has been announced, the writing may be on the wall. The group has already achieved its founding mission: bringing an NBA team to Oklahoma City, embedding it in the community, and winning a championship. With a new $1 billion publicly funded arena set to open in 2028 and a long-term lease in place through 2053, the franchise is now a turnkey asset for any prospective buyer.
Importantly, any sale would not be expected to trigger relocation. The Thunder’s lease includes steep penalties (up to $1 billion) for any attempt to move the team within the first five years of the new arena’s opening. That, combined with the team’s strong local support and civic investment, makes Oklahoma City a secure home for the foreseeable future.
If the Thunder are indeed sold, it would mark the latest in a wave of ownership transitions across the NBA, as aging ownership groups cash in on record valuations and new investors, often from tech, finance, or global markets, look to enter the league. For Bennett and his partners, the decision may come down to timing: sell now at peak value, or wait until the new arena opens and the team’s valuation climbs even higher.
