Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team is a 2009 American documentary film chronicling the history of the Seattle SuperSonics. The SuperSonics (also known as the Sonics) were a professional basketball franchise based in Seattle, Washington, that was a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Sonics played from 1967 until 2008, but relocated from Seattle to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and were renamed as the Thunder.
Background
Sonicsgate chronicles the SuperSonics move to Oklahoma City, focusing on the more scandalous corporate and political reasons why the Sonics left Seattle and became the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2008. The film contains interviews with former SuperSonics figures and fans, including Gary Payton, George Karl, Wally Walker, Kevin Calabro, Sherman Alexie as well as Seattle and Washington state politicians. It also contains archived local news and press conference footage.
Release
Free Internet release
On October 12, 2009, the film's producers opted to release the 120-minute feature director's cut online for free viewing on their website without any advertising or revenue sources embedded in order to spread their grassroots message to as wide an audience as possible.
Sonicsgate collected more than 55,000 online views from October 12 to November 10, 2009, and as of November 2020, over 600,000 views.
Limited festival screenings
Sonicsgate premiered at two sold-out screenings in Seattle at SIFF Cinema (October 9, 2009) and Pacific Place Cinemas (October 10, 2009). SIFF Cinema (Seattle International Film Festival) picked up Sonicsgate for a one-week theatrical run from December 11 to December 17, 2009.
In February 2010, the Beer And Movie Fest (BAM Fest) of Portland, Oregon, selected Sonicsgate to screen at the Bagdad Theater and Pub as part of the four-venue, 50-film festival.
The film's producers independently booked a four-day East Coast premiere in New York City at the People's Improv Theater from April 28 to May 1, 2010. During the NYC premiere, ESPN dedicated an entire episode of its sports journalism program Outside the Lines to the Sonics saga and Sonicsgate movie, showing a 3-minute trailer of the film and having director Jason Reid on as a guest contributor.
In May 2010, the Park City Film Series gave Sonicsgate a special selection to screen in Utah at the Park City Film Music Festival, which recognizes films with the best musical scores and soundtracks. After the festival, Sonicsgate took home the Audience Choice Silver Medal for Excellence.
CNBC broadcast and television recut
In April 2012, cable news network CNBC announced it had acquired the broadcast rights to a newly updated and re-cut version of Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team that premiered nationally in prime time on April 27 and 29, produced by Green and Gold Media and released to coincide with the start of the NBA playoffs.
According to the film's producers, unlike the 2009 Free Online Director's Cut, this newly edited and fully re-cut version of the film is fully licensed for television. Cut for a regular TV hour, the new version of the film also includes new graphics, statistics, archive footage, music and interviews with former Sonics star forward Shawn Kemp and Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament.
ESPN Classic
In March 2014, cable sports network ESPN Classic aired Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team nine times on the weekend of March 14–17. The ESPN family of networks added the film to its roster for continued airings.
Digital release
In June 2014, content distributor Go Digital released Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team across all major digital platforms, including iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Video, Xbox, PlayStation and VUDU, followed by Hulu and Amazon Prime in February 2015.
Awards and festival selections
Winner – "Best Sports Film" at the 2010 Webby Awards
Nominee – "Best Editing" at the 2010 Webby Awards
Winner – "Best Twitter Feed - Arts" at the 2011 Seattle Weekly Web Awards
Winner – "Best Use of Facebook" at the 2011 Seattle Weekly Web Awards
Winner – "The Wild Card" at the 2011 Seattle Weekly Web Awards
Winner – "Best Online Presence - Sports" at the 2010 Seattle Weekly Best of the Web Awards Nominee – "Best Twitter"; "Best Tweet"; "Best Shameless Self-Promoter" at the 2010 Seattle Weekly Best of the Web Awards Special Selection – Park City Film Music Fest Winner – Audience Choice Silver Medal for Excellence - Park City Film Music Fest Official Selection – Beer and Movie Fest in Portland, Oregon