Some investors may now be looking back with a sense of missed opportunity after passing on a chance to buy into one of the NBA’s most promising franchises.
As reported by Kurt Badenhausen and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico, a significant portion of ownership in the team became available in 2019 when the estate of the late Aubrey McClendon, an oil and gas magnate and early stakeholder, put his shares up for sale.
McClendon, a key figure in the ownership group led by Clay Bennett, was part of the consortium that acquired the then-Seattle SuperSonics in 2006 for a reported $350 million.
That investment paved the way for the team’s controversial relocation to Oklahoma City, where they became the Thunder.
At the time of the sale, McClendon’s estate held approximately 20 percent of the franchise – a sizable minority stake that carried substantial value, particularly as the team’s worth and visibility in the league continued to rise.
When the opportunity to purchase those shares was made public in 2019, it caught the attention of potential investors across the sports business landscape.
Ultimately, the existing ownership group acted swiftly, acquiring McClendon’s stake and consolidating control of the franchise.
With the team now enjoying both competitive success and financial momentum, those who had a chance to invest but hesitated might now be reconsidering what could have been a highly lucrative move.
Thunder Notes: Caruso, Wiggins, Ownership, Depth, Defensive Strategy https://t.co/n7msr1gklP pic.twitter.com/hOt38WJXf7
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 11, 2025
