Sonics say Jordan’s comeback will boost interest, ticket sales

Associated Press

SEATTLE – This summer, Wally Walker and Seattle SuperSonics coach Nate McMillan already were talking about Michael Jordan’s imminent return to the NBA, and possible ways for the Sonics to deal with him defensively.

They haven’t figured it out yet.

“No one really knows what he’ll look like,” said Walker, Sonics chief executive officer and minority owner.

So Walker has no idea who’s going to guard him. Seattle plays Jordan and his new team – the Washington Wizards – in Washington D.C., on Nov. 11, and again on March 15 when the Wizards come to Seattle for a game at KeyArena.

The game here is certain to be a sellout.

Jordan, 38, officially announced his return to the league Tuesday, saying he plans to play two more years. The five-time league MVP retired for a second time in 1999 after leading the Chicago Bulls to their sixth title of the decade.

“It’ll take some getting used to seeing him in a different logo and different colors,” Walker said. “It’ll be an interesting experience to see a guy who’s the greatest ever and to see him come back, and what level he’s at when he gets back.

“All the younger players in the league have, for all the right reasons, grown up idolizing Michael. It will be a thrill for them to play against him.”

Just hours after Jordan’s comeback was made official Tuesday, those who sell tickets for the Sonics were working the phones hard.

They called almost anyone who bought tickets last season, offering a six-game package, and an additional four-game package that includes the Wizards game in March. The six-game ticket set does not include the Washington game, so fans must buy the additional four-game package – or else hope to get hard-to-come-by single-game tickets for that game.

Existing Sonics season ticketholders and six-game package holders were given the first chance to buy an extra set of tickets to see Jordan.

Fans also are calling the Sonics to line up Wizards tickets.

“The phones are definitely ringing,” said Sonics spokeswoman Valerie O’Neil.

Walker can’t remember when Seattle fans have been so excited to see a game against Washington.

“It’s been 20 years since there’s been that kind of interest for the matchup,” he said. “It’s nothing but a positive for the league and individual teams. It’s a game we’ll sell out that probably would not have otherwise.”

The Sonics begin training camp next week.