OKC Sonics! (Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond: relocate, moving, sell)

[case44]

It's not official yet, guys, but it is close. Very close. But now the real sticking point: As nutty as what I'm about to ask you is, is Oklahoma City going to have to build a new arena for the Sonics to take the place of the current Ford Center?? Believe it or not, there actually is talk by Sonics ownership that the Ford Center may be too small or inadequate for the long term to fit what they are looking for. Now, I think the Ford Center is just fine as it is, but do you guys think that Clay Bennett and company want something even bigger for OKC??

[peggydavis]

I have heard that too. Actually, while the Hornets were there, weren't the Blazers displaced? The way Oklahoma City is, they would probably pass another sales tax to build another arena if that's what it took. Then the Ford Center could be used for the hockey team.

[happytown]

I think the Ford center is a large temporary shell that was intended to serve as a lure for a major league team (It does look good with all the brick) and is an avg arena by NBA standards. OKC got a great deal for materials and labor. It cost 90mil. then. Its prob worth 150 now with the current higher costs of construction. It def is large enough with 22,000 seats which is higher than the avg. arena. The city already has plans for major upgrades if the NBA were to come. Mainly stuff like bigger screens, locker rooms...Basically just make it nicer.

If the Sonics do come they will want a new arena after 5 years. Fortunately with all the taxes that wont be a problem. The designs will have to come close to what he wanted in Seattle. Like a 350 mil arena.

Plans involving all the arenas will have to fit in the basic framework in the future core to shore projects. Many options exist. Heighten the Cox for more convention space, use the upgraded ford center for concerts and build another arena. I like this idea because it gives OKC 3 arenas downtown.
Most likely they will flatten the cox and create another convention center in its place but it would be larger, keep the ford center and build another large arena/multi-purpose facility.

Here is current news about Stern blasting Seattle.
ESPN - Stern: NBA won't return to Seattle if Sonics leave - NBA

[peggydavis]

I hope the Storm comes to Oklahoma too. I like women's BB more than men's. OKC would have to have a place for them to play too. A new arena would have to be close to both of the arenas already there for the NCAA tournaments etc. I wish we still had the Hornets though. They are a really good team this year. That was not meant to be though, sadly.

[Nameless]

Yes, we will have to build a new arena. Ford Center has a large enough capacity but doesn't have near the luxury suites and conveniences that most NBA arenas have.The Storm should just play in the Ford Center. It's more than enough for them.

[stiffnecked]

They just remodeled the Sonic out here in Piedmont. The outside looks nice but they food is still the same. Go Sonic!!

[toughguy]

I don't think alot of people nationally or in OKC understand the situation here in Seattle. The city just remodeled Key Arena 12 years ago for $90+ million dollars (more than the entire cost of the Ford Center). The terms of the lease are disadvantageous to the Sonics, and thus they are losing money.

Here is the thing though.

The NBA (read: David Stern) approved the lease back in 1995. The ownership group in Oklahoma knew the terms of the lease when they bought the team. They saw a golden win-win oppurtunity: Either they can extort the tax payers of Seattle to build a ridiculous half billion dollar new arena and pay practically nothing on their part, or they come back home to a hero's welcome with a shiny new NBA franchise. Bennett has made many public gaffes and has proven to be disingenious and a fraud.

All the while, David Stern has been lobbing arrows at the fans and the city leadership while being a loyal little lap dog to Bennet and McClendon.

You can see why the fans here are disenfranchised and are taking out their frustrations on the residents of OKC.

[happytown]

Actually many understand what is happening because of all the drama. A remodel of an old arena(key) 12-13 years ago just doesnt cut it in the NBA. Even with the upgrades to the key, the ford center is a better arena.

Built in the sixties, Key holds less than 18,000. You have to remember OKC got a great deal w/the ford center (everyone knows this). I have heard that it would be worth over 150 to build it again so it isnt a lousy venue. Also, OKC just finished renovating the Cox convention center (which has an arena 15,000) for over 60mil....so the amount Seattle spent on the Key to keep an NBA team really isnt much.

The die hard fans in Seattle are a minority and should take their frustrations out on Starbucks, Seattle politicians, Seattle philanthropists and Stern. Bennett is a Gaylord and would keep the team in Seattle if the money would pop up. The deal is that no one wants to invest in Seattle!! So what does an owner do?...With Sterns advice...You move the teams.

It sucks and OKC would rather have a team with less baggage. But that is how the cookie crumbles...

On another note if OKC does get the Sonics/Storm then it will be the first city to get two major league teams at the same time...Cheesy but true.

[peggydavis]

Nameless, I think your remark about the Storm is a little disrespectful to women. The Storm should have a good arena too. That said, I think the Ford Center is a good arena and the idea of the Storm, Blazers, and Sonics sharing 3 downtown arenas is good. Of course the Sonics because they are MEN and major league will get the best one.

Toughguy, I appreciate how badly the fans in Seattle feel about all this. However, this is none of our doing. I have been reading the Seattle Times for years, because our son used to live there and we would go visit. I got interested in several of your issues up there before all this ever started. Right after the sale of the team, one of the columnists wrote a lot of very bad stuff about the new owners. Hicks, cowboys riding into town etc. I was pretty shocked when I read that. The attitude in Seattle towards Bennett et al was very hostile from the very beginning.

They are billionaires. It wouldn't have bothered them one bit to ride in their jets to Seattle to see the games and eat great seafood, while enjoying your weather, shopping and other great things in Seattle and Washington. (We like cloudy days even in winter.) They can't do that now. I'm afraid things have gone beyond the point of no return.

I think it is better if the community owns the team, like my favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers.

Happytown, you are right. Building costs are much less here so a $500 million arena in Seattle would not cost as much here.

[Nameless]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Nameless, I think your remark about the Storm is a little disrespectful to women. The Storm should have a good arena too. That said, I think the Ford Center is a good arena and the idea of the Storm, Blazers, and Sonics sharing 3 downtown arenas is good. Of course the Sonics because they are MEN and major league will get the best one.

Umm, I'm not exactly sure where you get that vibe. This has nothing to do with men and women. Women's basketball doesn't draw as many fans, that's all I implied.