Sonics block OKC NBA market from Shinn/Hornets

[redbird4848]

Originally Posted by n8tiv_okie

the NBA will be a bust in OKC in a few years if not before.

Why do you feel the NBA will be a bust in OKC in a few years? Because of the bldg itself being too small or outdated?

I believe OKC would be able to provide a strong fan base support ~easily~. A lot of people have been wanting a pro sports franchise here for a long time.

[happytown]

The NBA wont be a bust in OKC. I would consider this Irrational, purposefully Negative, and Ignorant thinking.

The Ford is not outdated or small. Actually The Ford is one of the larger arenas with just over 20,000 seats. AAirlines Arena in Dallas seats around 18,500.

A make over is not a big deal...most arenas have some kind of renovation every 5-6 yrs especially if it is home to the NBA.

VOTE YES for the renovations! OKC has proven to be a huge success via MAPS and it should be obvious to anyone that REALLY TRULY lives in OKC.

[Bobby H]

Oklahoma City can quite easily support both an NBA pro basketball team and an NHL pro hockey team.

The metropolitan area population of Oklahoma City is over 1 million people. Tulsa is a little over an hour's drive from OKC -so that's another 750,000 people in that metro area. Other small cities and towns in Oklahoma, such as Stillwater, Lawton, Duncan, Chickasha, Elk City, etc. are within a 60 minute to 90 minute drive of OKC as well. That "extended market" totals over 3 million people.

I live near the Lawton area. I've driven up to OKC to attend Hornets games and rock concerts at the Ford Center. I know lots of people who drive to Norman or Stillwater to watch OU and OSU home games in football and basketball.

I'm optimistic about Oklahoma reversing trends of recent years and gaining a lot of new residents. We have a warmer, more sunny climate. The cost of doing business is quite a bit less than many other states. Oklahoma has ample water, gas and electrical supply.

Our state's economy isn't in the dumps like so many other parts of the nation largely because we didn't have the insane run up in home prices. That factor alone is attracting people. The oil industry is also helping (I know I'm getting more back on state income tax refunds because of that).

In the end, Oklahoma City's population levels are poised to grow dramatically. An NBA team will do great in OKC. In another 10 years we'll be talking about the possibility of MLB or NFL expansion teams in OKC.

[happytown]

Actually OKC has close to 1.3M in Metro and Tulsa is about to break a million. So yes there is an untapped market that can draw from two big cities that are only 90 mins away from eachother driving slow. I dont think OKC will have two major-league teams, but I am confident that Oklahoma will. I imagine that Tulsa will eventually get a NHL team in due time. I think that the NFL would do great in between T and O. Maybe build a stadium in Chandler or another town within equal distance of both cities. The NFL would be a huge hit in OK IMO.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by Bobby H

Oklahoma City can quite easily support both an NBA pro basketball team and an NHL pro hockey team.

The metropolitan area population of Oklahoma City is over 1 million people. Tulsa is a little over an hour's drive from OKC -so that's another 750,000 people in that metro area. Other small cities and towns in Oklahoma, such as Stillwater, Lawton, Duncan, Chickasha, Elk City, etc. are within a 60 minute to 90 minute drive of OKC as well. That "extended market" totals over 3 million people.

I live near the Lawton area. I've driven up to OKC to attend Hornets games and rock concerts at the Ford Center. I know lots of people who drive to Norman or Stillwater to watch OU and OSU home games in football and basketball.

I'm optimistic about Oklahoma reversing trends of recent years and gaining a lot of new residents. We have a warmer, more sunny climate. The cost of doing business is quite a bit less than many other states. Oklahoma has ample water, gas and electrical supply.

Our state's economy isn't in the dumps like so many other parts of the nation largely because we didn't have the insane run up in home prices. That factor alone is attracting people. The oil industry is also helping (I know I'm getting more back on state income tax refunds because of that).

In the end, Oklahoma City's population levels are poised to grow dramatically. An NBA team will do great in OKC. In another 10 years we'll be talking about the possibility of MLB or NFL expansion teams in OKC.

Good points, all of them. HT is right about the metro pops too. OkC is around 1.3 million, and Tulsa is about to break into 1 million. Oklahoma is doing just fine right now, as opposed to many areas of the country.

[sparkman75229]

"AAirlines Arena in Dallas seats around 18,500", actually the AAC seats 18,500 for hockey and up to 21,041 for basketball. Also, i have been to the Ford and with the renovations it will work great. Good luck.

[windowphobe]

Current Ford Center capacity for basketball is 19,599; when the renovation scheme was unveiled, it was suggested that a couple hundred seats might be sacrificed in the process.

Over 71 home games at the Ford, the Hornets drew an average of 18,339.