Sonics block OKC NBA market from Shinn/Hornets (Oklahoma City, Tulsa: income, work)

[happytown]

Its great for the entire State to have the NBA, not just OKC! I am quite sure that a few games will be played in the BOK Center to generate a larger fan base.
Its not written in stone that the name of the franchise will change, but hopefully it will. One of the agreements, if the Sonics do leave early, will be leaving the name and colors of the original team.
This article is basically saying that OKC will def be getting a NBA team soon. If the sonics dont come the hornets will...Tough choice but I think I would rather have the sonics only because of local ownership. Having local ownership is rare and is very desirable in the Major League sports...NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL. I also like having the sonics stay in seattle because of the history ect. Catch 22.
I personally like the hornets better only because of Chris Paul (Also Desmond Mason at the time....He might return to OKC to add excitement for the locals) and how the team was OKCs and Oklahomas first REAL major league team to at least grow some roots.
Welcome 6 foot 3 and jwiley, hopefully a NBA team will be something that is wanted and that you both will find that it increases the quality of life in a state and a city.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by happytown

Its great for the entire State to have the NBA, not just OKC! I am quite sure that a few games will be played in the BOK Center to generate a larger fan base.
Its not written in stone that the name of the franchise will change, but hopefully it will. One of the agreements, if the Sonics do leave early, will be leaving the name and colors of the original team.
This article is basically saying that OKC will def be getting a NBA team soon. If the sonics dont come the hornets will...Tough choice but I think I would rather have the sonics only because of local ownership. Having local ownership is rare and is very desirable in the Major League sports...NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL. I also like having the sonics stay in seattle because of the history ect. Catch 22.
I personally like the hornets better only because of Chris Paul (Also Desmond Mason at the time....He might return to OKC to add excitement for the locals) and how the team was OKCs and Oklahomas first REAL major league team to at least grow some roots.
Welcome 6 foot 3 and jwiley, hopefully a NBA team will be something that is wanted and that you both will find that it increases the quality of life in a state and a city.

Ya, local ownership IS best HT. I agree.

[happytown]

I think the Hornets just signed a lease with NO for another 4 years but in the deal if NO doesnt bring up attendance (worst in the league) then Shinn can relocate very early! OKC might be seeing the Hornets instead of the Sonics.
But you never know OKC might not even get a team after all this talk. That will blow my socks off if that happens!!

[peggydavis]

New Orleans is still struggling to get over the storm, and if they can only support one major league team I think it will be the Saints.

I remember when the Hornets first came to OKC, the thought was that people would mainly go to see the more popular teams play, like the Lakers. When people went crazy about the Hornets it was such a surprise. I still follow the Hornets.

[The A-Team]

I love OKC and have spent so much time with my family and family friends that live there, but i want the sonics to stay here in Seattle! Even though people don't really care that much about them lol. Now if the seahawks or mariners were at stake, you'd have a riot here!!

[n8tiv_okie]

the NBA will be a bust in OKC in a few years if not before. They're touting all this renovation to the Ford Center (fraud center) to bring an NBA team here. Um, hello....why didn't you build it right the FIRST time? It was built to bring an NHL team here. That was the original idea. But just like before, when it came right down to it, OKC was not chosen. Why? Because our former city leaders and even some of the current one's operate on the good ol' boy political system.
Mayor Cornett has done well for OKC since taking charge, but the Ford center renovation to bring an NBA team here is just insanity. The Ford Center is a horrible place to watch anything. I'd rather them renovate the Cox Center as it was WAY more enjoyable to watch sports in.
Just my .02-cents.

[peggydavis]

The Ford Center has been worth every penny so far. The Van Halen concert there last weekend was sold out, so I guess thousands of people think it is a good place to watch concerts. It was built very economically, so some added amenities will make all the events there better.

[n8tiv_okie]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

It was built very economically, so some added amenities will make all the events there better.

that's where my opinion is based. "it was built very economically". that's been OKC's greatest downfall on big projects. it's less than 7 years old and it needs to be renovated? the reason: because it was built very economically.
they just wanted a building to show our MAPS money at work, and now they're asking us to pay for it AGAIN.
Seems a little okie-engineered or <Moderator cut> backwards if you ask me.

[Synopsis]

Aren't all of the problems really having to do with size? I've never been inside but it appears to be a good venue for almost anything. I'm not an OkC resident, so I can't comment on the financing thing, but I think it would be a good thing for Oklahoma in general to have an NBA team. Of course, since I'm not an OkC taxpayer I'm not commenting with my pocketbook.

[happytown]

Originally Posted by n8tiv_okie

the NBA will be a bust in OKC in a few years if not before. They're touting all this renovation to the Ford Center (fraud center) to bring an NBA team here. Um, hello....why didn't you build it right the FIRST time? It was built to bring an NHL team here. That was the original idea. But just like before, when it came right down to it, OKC was not chosen. Why? Because our former city leaders and even some of the current one's operate on the good ol' boy political system.
Mayor Cornett has done well for OKC since taking charge, but the Ford center renovation to bring an NBA team here is just insanity. The Ford Center is a horrible place to watch anything. I'd rather them renovate the Cox Center as it was WAY more enjoyable to watch sports in.
Just my .02-cents.

I dont even know where to begin with this...The statements are that ridiculous.


Reasons why the NHL did not come to OKC a million years ago....

"Oklahoma City began its efforts to land major-league sports in 1993. New Seattle SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett led a group that approached the NHL about a team. That bid ended in 1997, when Oklahoma City was one of the finalists not chosen in two rounds of NHL expansion".

The Ford Center arena/facility opened in 2002!!!
How does a city bring in a MAJOR LEAGUE team WITHOUT an arena???
On top of that...OKC was trying to get an expansion team!!!!!! I hope you understand the difference with expansion and relocating a franchise. Relocating is nothing compared to being REWARDED a team. OKC was going up against KC, Dallas ect.
This is also ELEVEN years ago!!! Many are just now noticing a higher quality of life. A decade ago OKC had a median income that was significantly lower than the State average...NOW its significantly above the State avg.



The Ford Center is a horrible place to watch anything!?!?!?

MAPS was intended to give an overall quality of life to OKCers. The point of the projects was not intended build the 'fanciest arena'. If OKC had put all the money towards building a really fancy arena, then you would not see the over 2 billion of private investment. You would find a stagnant downtown with a fancy arena along with a homeless problem...
This would be considered terrible city planning and would be akin to a poor lil boy that gets a super nice toy for Christmas, but no clothes or underwear.

The Ford Center...RIGHT NOW....Is in the middle of the pack regarding arenas and it was built 6yrs ago. That is a fact. Take it to the bank.

The Ford has paid for itself 4x over!!!!! It shouldnt be a big deal to renovate the girl and make The Ford one of the nicer arenas in the NBA. Anyway, you mention that it is the most horrible place to watch anything (By the way Im playing a tiny violin for U right now), yet you despise any renovations...But of course the "Myriad" should recieve upgrades. You dont make any sense. Period.

Oh...Also.....Read a little more about OKC before you go on a rant.

YOU DONT EVEN KNOW THAT THE COX WENT THROUGH A 60+M RENOVATION AS PART OF THE MAPS PROJECTS. DUH.