<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (April 2016) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (April 2016) </Td> </Tr> <P> On December 20, 1966, Los Angeles businessmen Sam Schulman and Eugene V. Klein and a group of minority partners were awarded an NBA franchise for the city of Seattle . Schulman would serve as the active partner and head of team operations . He named the SuperSonics after Boeing's recently awarded contract for the SST project, which was later canceled . The SuperSonics were Seattle's first major league sports franchise . </P> <P> Beginning play in October 1967, the SuperSonics were coached by Al Bianchi and featured All - Star guard Walt Hazzard and NBA All - Rookie Team members Bob Rule and Al Tucker . The expansion team stumbled out of the gates with a 144--116 loss in their first game, and finished the season with a 23--59 record . </P>

Where did the seattle supersonics get their name