Clay Bennett, Chairman of The Professional Basketball Club, LLC., owners of the Seattle Sonics and Storm, announced today that Danny Barth has been named interim President & Chief Executive Officer of the organization.

Barth spent the past six years as the franchise’s Chief Financial Officer. He assumes the duties and responsibilities of Wally Walker who resigned this week after serving in the same capacity for the past five years. In his interim role, Barth will oversee the entire Sonics & Storm business operations.

“I appreciate the confidence the new owners have in me to lead the organization at this time,” Barth said. “I have enjoyed working with the new owners the past three months to successfully complete this transaction and I am excited about the future. This is a great organization and the new ownership group, with its commitment to becoming the best organization in the NBA both on the court and in the community, gives us a unique opportunity to redouble and rededicate our efforts to build a future for both teams in Seattle forever.”

“Danny’s knowledge of the organization proved extremely valuable,” Bennett said. “He is highly respected by his peers in professional sports and by the Sonics and Storm employees. Danny gives us the continuity needed to make sure we don’t miss a beat going forward. We will continue an extensive national search for a permanent President and Chief Executive Officer, and Danny is indeed a candidate for the position and will be given serious consideration.”

Bennett announced Barth’s appointment while meeting with employees of the Sonics and Storm organization shortly after the completion of the transaction where he thanked them for their hard work during the transition and expressed how he was looking forward to working together to win on the court and in the community.

The Sonics tip-off the historic and celebrated 40th Anniversary Season tomorrow night against the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m. at KeyArena.

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