We will have a program that continues to get worse as long as we have the worst or near worst facility in any league we play in. This team will not improve or be consistently good until it’s in a new building. LNC is the most visible problem and easiest to correct at this point because the larger problem of general program funding isn’t going away. At least a new building should help get more people from OKC to the games.

Regardless. It’s asinine at this point to act like staying in Lloyd noble is even a viable solution unless you just want to completely give up on basketball for the next 20-30 years.

It took 30 years for OU to recognize Billy with a banner. No court naming.Hollis still doesn't have his jersey in the rafters. Either does Buddy.No statues of Wayman, Blake, or Buddy. Have you seen the great display cases?
I submit that OU/Joe C could give a rats azz about hoops. Until OU actually carez to support and back the program it will die no matter where they play. Field a top 20 team for a few years before talk of rewarding the program with a new facility.

It is the height of arrogance for the City of Norman to bail out the state. The State of Oklahoma has the responsibility to secure the funding, not Norman.
The state still has not provided any of the Covid relief funds provided by the Feds. The state needs to fund their own infrastructure.
The state has money for tax cuts. Fund OU properly.

It took 30 years for OU to recognize Billy with a banner. No court naming.Hollis still doesn't have his jersey in the rafters. Either does Buddy.No statues of Wayman, Blake, or Buddy. Have you seen the great display cases?
I submit that OU/Joe C could give a rats azz about hoops. Until OU actually carez to support and back the program it will die no matter where they play. Field a top 20 team for a few years before talk of rewarding the program with a new facility.

It is the height of arrogance for the City of Norman to bail out the state. The State of Oklahoma has the responsibility to secure the funding, not Norman.
The state still has not provided any of the Covid relief funds provided by the Feds. The state needs to fund their own infrastructure.
The state has money for tax cuts. Fund OU properly.

All that is great in theory but none of it is going to happen. They will not field a top 20 team for more than a random season at a time without better facilities that make us competitive in recruiting and it’s foolish to think otherwise.

Norman isn’t footing the entire bill and OKC has bailed out the state on several occasions so it’s not something out of left field. This is the way or concede that we’re just going to have a joke of a basketball program. The state and donors are not coming to the rescue with an on campus stadium. We will be a mediocre and declining program until a new arena plan is in place. That said, I don’t live in Norman so I don’t give a damn what they choose to spend money on.

It’s been all over OU news because of the 36.5 million in funding they recently received for a lot of updates.

yep. "Build Back Better" funding.

https://kfor.com/news/local/treasury-data-oklahoma-has-spent-less-than-1-of-its-covid-recovery-funds/
Please quit with the BS the state needs Norman to finance this arena.
OK county got monies from this for a jail.

once again.... THIS!!!!! everyone keeps talking about projects that just won't happen as alternatives. there are two options on the table. build this, or keep playing in a falling apart Lloyd Nobel for the next 20 years. unless some donor wants to put up a couple hundred million for an on campus arena (like what happened for texas), then a new on campus arena isn't an option. this is the only option on the table.


We will have a program that continues to get worse as long as we have the worst or near worst facility in any league we play in. This team will not improve or be consistently good until it’s in a new building. LNC is the most visible problem and easiest to correct at this point because the larger problem of general program funding isn’t going away. At least a new building should help get more people from OKC to the games.

Regardless. It’s asinine at this point to act like staying in Lloyd noble is even a viable solution unless you just want to completely give up on basketball for the next 20-30 years.

Where does this 20 years number come from? Feels like its just pulled out of thin air. Does OU already have the next 19 years of projects planned and are fund raising for them? Is football swallowing all future athletics spending? SEC not bringing in any new monies for a new bball arena? It seems the 20 year talk is just scare tactic. If OU wanted to, and started a capital campaign they could surely get a new bball areana built in much shorter time. Or maybe the money woes are really that bad.

Where does this 20 years number come from? Feels like its just pulled out of thin air. Does OU already have the next 19 years of projects planned and are fund raising for them? Is football swallowing all future athletics spending? SEC not bringing in any new monies for a new bball arena? It seems the 20 year talk is just scare tactic. If OU wanted to, and started a capital campaign they could surely get a new bball areana built in much shorter time. Or maybe the money woes are really that bad.

Probably the same source threatening to move the team out of town(Harroz).

Where does this 20 years number come from? Feels like its just pulled out of thin air. Does OU already have the next 19 years of projects planned and are fund raising for them? Is football swallowing all future athletics spending? SEC not bringing in any new monies for a new bball arena? It seems the 20 year talk is just scare tactic. If OU wanted to, and started a capital campaign they could surely get a new bball areana built in much shorter time. Or maybe the money woes are really that bad.

Wasn't one of the primary reasons OU left the Big 12 was for significantly more money in the SEC? I too find it suspect that OU doing a capital campaign for a new arena isn't being discussed as an alternate option. I would think OU would want to have the arena on-campus for not just basketball/gymnastics but for other events like graduations and speakers. Make it the centerpiece of East Campus south of Sarkeys with new engineering and advanced sciences buildings and additional student housing north of Callaway House (east of Trout).

Also, the UNP site does not allow for future rail access unlike East Campus where a future OU rail stop would be located within a couple blocks of the arena. People in Edmond, OKC and Moore could ride the train from their park-n-rides and then just a 5 min walk to the games. And a 5 min walk to dozens of bars and restaurants in Campus Corner before/after games.
https://www.acogblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/eastcorridor.png

the tecumseh station would be just as close to the new arena in UNP as the one on OU would be, if the new arena was built on the currently lloyd noble site...

the tecumseh station would be just as close to the new arena in UNP as the one on OU would be, if the new arena was built on the currently lloyd noble site...

This is an inconvenient truth that doesn't fit the narrative shut up. /s

Seems like there's a far different question of walkability between those two options. I do a pretty good amount of urban walking but I would not particularly want to do a hypothetical hike along Tecumseh and then down 24th Ave.

However, as BG918 stated, the East Campus location he was talking about is about two blocks away. In the ideal world he is talking about, that would be the best location for a new arena. This whole UNP arena smells of taking the easy way out rather than doing the harder thing for the better long term outcome. So there's that.

Seems like there's a far different question of walkability between those two options. I do a pretty good amount of urban walking but I would not particularly want to do a hypothetical hike along Tecumseh and then down 24th Ave.

walkability can be improved. it's not just stuck at where it always is now.

However, as BG918 stated, the East Campus location he was talking about is about two blocks away. In the ideal world he is talking about, that would be the best location for a new arena. This whole UNP arena smells of taking the easy way out rather than doing the harder thing for the better long term outcome. So there's that.

yes, the option that is not now, nor has it been in the past proposed. i mean we can talk about the ideal world all day long, but that isn't how projects actually work

However, as BG918 stated, the East Campus location he was talking about is about two blocks away. In the ideal world he is talking about, that would be the best location for a new arena. This whole UNP arena smells of taking the easy way out rather than doing the harder thing for the better long term outcome. So there's that.

Hahahahaha, colleges aren't working with their own money. It's someone else's (either the taxpayers or donor money). So therefore, they have to be good stewards of it. If they get a deal, they take it. Especially in a state that doesn't necessarily support higher education facilities developments.

So if someone is willing to build an arena with a lot pf their money, and almost no college money, they almost have to take it.

You build your program with recruits. Those recruits are impressed by the facilities where they will play.

Agree with PhiAlpha,
We will have a program that continues to get worse as long as we have the worst or near worst facility in any league we play in. This team will not improve or be consistently good until it’s in a new building.

^ ^ ^ that's how you attract recruits--a top notch facility.

You build your program with recruits. Those recruits are impressed by the facilities where they will play.

Agree with PhiAlpha,

^ ^ ^ that's how you attract recruits--a top notch facility.

Or you could use 200 million to pay NIL deals. Seems like the new way to recruit.

However, as BG918 stated, the East Campus location he was talking about is about two blocks away. In the ideal world he is talking about, that would be the best location for a new arena. This whole UNP arena smells of taking the easy way out rather than doing the harder thing for the better long term outcome. So there's that.

Man I would agree with this if they weren't already having issues getting funding for the Pressbox and other improvements to Memorial Stadium as well as the football facilities they're trying to build. They want those projects knocked out way more than they want a new basketball arena and they still aren't fully funded.

Or you could use 200 million to pay NIL deals. Seems like the new way to recruit.

OU is offering more money than they ever have and are outbidding other teams for players right now but are still losing out on most of them. Plenty of NIL money is on the table and they still can't recruit. There are certainly other issues at play but facilities are a major one.

However, as BG918 stated, the East Campus location he was talking about is about two blocks away. In the ideal world he is talking about, that would be the best location for a new arena. This whole UNP arena smells of taking the easy way out rather than doing the harder thing for the better long term outcome. So there's that.

Exactly, the location I'm talking about is at Brooks & Jenkins (NE or SE corner - all land owned by OU). Which is 2 blocks from the future commuter rail station. And adjacent to existing OU athletic facilities.

OU is offering more money than they ever have and are outbidding other teams for players right now but are still losing out on most of them. Plenty of NIL money is on the table and they still can't recruit. There are certainly other issues at play but facilities are a major one.

Really? I'd love to see the NIL numbers for bball or even football if you know where they are? I couldn't find anything online about OU Basketball NIL money for players.

Really? I'd love to see the NIL numbers for bball or even football if you know where they are? I couldn't find anything online about OU Basketball NIL money for players.

OU football NIL is very competitive with all but about 5 schools ..

OU basketball NIL was in the bottom 1/4 of the big 12 .. and is still not very good at all ..

Exactly, the location I'm talking about is at Brooks & Jenkins (NE or SE corner - all land owned by OU). Which is 2 blocks from the future commuter rail station. And adjacent to existing OU athletic facilities.

and is a site that has never been proposed for a basketball arena except by people on this board. so why are we talking about it? again, if people want an on campus arena so much, and at this location. then pony up $100+ million to donate to the university to start that project. It's how Texas got their new arena.

OU football NIL is very competitive with all but about 5 schools ..

OU basketball NIL was in the bottom 1/4 of the big 12 .. and is still not very good at all ..

OU lost a transfer today to st johns .. (a UNT kid who has a sister on the OU womens team ) because of NIL >.

they are getting ready to lose an edmond get from Vatech to Ole miss because of NIL ..

and is a site that has never been proposed for a basketball arena except by people on this board. so why are we talking about it? again, if people want an on campus arena so much, and at this location. then pony up $100+ million to donate to the university to start that project. It's how Texas got their new arena.

Or you have Norman realize a central location for the arena that brings in millions in tax revenue from events, not to mention the increases sales tax from nearby Campus Corner, is worth "ponying up" some funds for OU to build it along with private donations.

Or you have Norman realize a central location for the arena that brings in millions in tax revenue from events, not to mention the increases sales tax from nearby Campus Corner, is worth "ponying up" some funds for OU to build it along with private donations.

but those private donations have to exist... and they don't exist for an on campus arena.... how many times do we have to go around on this. Your ideal scenario isn't an option on the table, because there is no donations for it...

OU football NIL is very competitive with all but about 5 schools ..

OU basketball NIL was in the bottom 1/4 of the big 12 .. and is still not very good at all ..

that is not what’s been reported by OU Insider and soonerscoop this offseason at least in regard to the specific players we were targeting. They’ve said we outbid the competition and still lost on the guys.

OU lost a transfer today to st johns .. (a UNT kid who has a sister on the OU womens team ) because of NIL >.

they are getting ready to lose an edmond get from Vatech to Ole miss because of NIL ..

Do you have a source on that? Maybe i misheard them on the two podcasts I listened to.

Do you have a source on that? Maybe i misheard them on the two podcasts I listened to.

listen to todays soonerscoop pod when it comes out ..

the edmond kid is getting reported 850k at ole miss ...

the UNT kid is getting 500k plus at st johns ..

both of those numbers exceeded what OU did / could offer

To those claiming the recruits will come based on playing in a new arena, refer to post # 1828.
Nah, not so much. It is really about the "ke$h".

To those claiming the recruits will come based on playing in a new arena, refer to post # 1828.
Nah, not so much. It is really about the "ke$h".

it’s not all about the cash. It’s always a combination. If all things were equal and we had trash facilities…we still lose.

it’s not all about the cash. It’s always a combination. If all things were equal and we had trash facilities…we still lose.

We still are going to lose with the lack of support from the AD, bottom of the conferance with NIL, and a coach that is struggling at the D1 level recruiting and coaching. The facilities are the least of the problems.

We still are going to lose with the lack of support from the AD, bottom of the conferance with NIL, and a coach that is struggling at the D1 level recruiting and coaching. The facilities are the least of the problems.

They’re not though. But the facilities are just another big problem in a line of them.

Or you could use 200 million to pay NIL deals. Seems like the new way to recruit.

Good point about NIL money. Still reading up on how NIL works. Originally a fan of giving players some type of monthly stipends; but NIL will IMO unlevel the playing field for less wealthy universities. It will favor the more traditional football schools: Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU, Tennessee, Arizona, Clemson, Miami, USC, UCLA, Penn State, Notre Dame and others.

listen to todays soonerscoop pod when it comes out ..

the edmond kid is getting reported 850k at ole miss ...

the UNT kid is getting 500k plus at st johns ..

both of those numbers exceeded what OU did / could offer

Insanity. $850k is nearly the NBA minimum. I used to think the NFT craze showed how much dumb money was out there but NIL money may prove it more.

Insanity. $850k is nearly the NBA minimum. I used to think the NFT craze showed how much dumb money was out there but NIL money may prove it more.

NIL is the exact same money that these donors give to the athletic dept every year ... it is just being redirected ..

NIL is the exact same money that these donors give to the athletic dept every year ... it is just being redirected ..

The hell it is. I give plenty. If OU sends one dollar of it to NIL, that well will dry up.

The hell it is. I give plenty. If OU sends one dollar of it to NIL, that well will dry up.

unless you are giving 500k - 1 million+ a year .. you are not who i am talking about and OU can't currently send money to NIL directly but that will soon change ..

and very soon the players will have a CBA and have revenue sharing for football and basketball ..

The hell it is. I give plenty. If OU sends one dollar of it to NIL, that well will dry up.

They haven’t sent donations over to pay NIL. But donors that would have donated to the athletic dept now invest in the NIL programs instead. The donor redirects, not the uni.

They haven’t sent donations over to pay NIL. But donors that would have donated to the athletic dept now invest in the NIL programs instead. The donor redirects, not the uni.

and in the cases i am talking about the Athletic dept has been telling some of the donors to redirect ..

and in the cases i am talking about the Athletic dept has been telling some of the donors to redirect ..
So?

so... back to UNP development.

Unfortunately LNC was narrowly missed by the storm last night

Unfortunately LNC was narrowly missed by the storm last night

There’s still May ;)

Unfortunately LNC was narrowly missed by the storm last night

LMAO. A man can dream!

Unfortunately LNC was narrowly missed by the storm last night

Going to take that insurance money to Moore. Can't wait to see it.

Planning commission discussion postponed again....

https://www.oudaily.com/news/norman-city-council-planning-commission-entertainment-district-university-north-park/article_0acdbe5e-0be1-11ef-b1f1-e39381c740dd.html

Planning commission discussion postponed again....

https://www.oudaily.com/news/norman-city-council-planning-commission-entertainment-district-university-north-park/article_0acdbe5e-0be1-11ef-b1f1-e39381c740dd.html

Yep looks like they want the TIF committee and this plan to come out at the same time.

Yep looks like they want the TIF committee and this plan to come out at the same time.

Coincidently a new City Council is seated in July.

The TIF district plan was shown last night. $600 million. https://www.normantranscript.com/news/city-unveils-tif-plan-public-contribution-set-up-to-600-million/article_557c2b9c-13f3-11ef-a30e-2bf4e7f1d394.html

The TIF district plan was shown last night. $600 million. https://www.normantranscript.com/news/city-unveils-tif-plan-public-contribution-set-up-to-600-million/article_557c2b9c-13f3-11ef-a30e-2bf4e7f1d394.html

It is about time the true cost of this boondoggle has been published.
$600M from the "public"., aka Norman taxpayers.
Disingenious to initially announce a price tag of $200m to sell the idea and then mention interest charges almost 3x greater.
Also of interest is one of the commisioners wondering about a 1,200 car parking lot for a 5K seat arena. What happened to 8K seats?
The posted link also touches on how this would impact the NPS.

The TIF district plan was shown last night. $600 million. https://www.normantranscript.com/news/city-unveils-tif-plan-public-contribution-set-up-to-600-million/article_557c2b9c-13f3-11ef-a30e-2bf4e7f1d394.html

Wow this would be a horrible deal for city of Norman. I have no idea how Norman would ever benefit to the tune of $600 million over the next 25 years if this were to happen. And to act like a small arena mostly for college basketball will be the impetus for more development is a joke. Look how much UNP has already developed without an arena as an anchor. This has future boondoggle written all over it.

Wow this would be a horrible deal for city of Norman. I have no idea how Norman would ever benefit to the tune of $600 million over the next 25 years if this were to happen. And to act like a small arena mostly for college basketball will be the impetus for more development is a joke. Look how much UNP has already developed without an arena as an anchor. This has future boondoggle written all over it.

the money 100% comes from this ...

how is it a "horrible deal" for norman ..

the money doesn't exist with our this development ..

the money 100% comes from this ...

how is it a "horrible deal" for norman ..

the money doesn't exist with our this development ..

Norman looses the sales tax money currently generated at the LNC and will not be replacing this loss of tax monies for 25 years. Horrible deal for Norman. Not to mention the additional costs of the City of Norman being responsible for traffic management and security costs associated with this. Great deal for developers and the State of Oklahoma.

Also what about 1200 parking spaces for a 5,000 seat arena. Costs tripled, seating cut to 5/8 of original pitch.

the money 100% comes from this ...

how is it a "horrible deal" for norman ..

the money doesn't exist with our this development ..

You act like UNP development will come to a stop unless a new arena is built. I just found the TIF map and it includes basically all empty ground at UNP. This land will continue to develop with or without an arena. If this passes, all that ad valorem and sales tax money of any new PF Changs or Lowes or whatever, instead of going to the city's budget, public safety and schools, it pays for this $600 million arena.

And here's what will happen on the arena, for 25 years it will be valued very high, maxing out the amount of ad valorem payments that come back to pay for the arena. After 25 years, when OU or whoever owns it has to start making their own ad valorem payments, they'll immediately protest the value and get it lowered to probably 1/3 of the previous assessed value and then the city, public safety and schools get very little in the end.

In simpler terms of how this is a horrible deal for norman? Its a $600 million 5,000 seat arena with a middling college basketball team as its main user. A $600 million TIF district, Im not sure anything in the state has ever come close to that amount. First National building was only $120-ish million.

I will say the Mayor, who seemed to be all about this plan earlier in the year, balked at the meeting when the price had gone up another 75 million from the earlier estimate. Not sure what city council members are for this at the moment. We wait until next Thursday to hear from statutory review committee

Norman Development fb page is reporting Hobby Lobby and Mardel are going in North of Crest and Main Event is going just South of Holiday Inn Express.

Norman Development fb page is reporting Hobby Lobby and Mardel are going in North of Crest and Main Event is going just South of Holiday Inn Express.

Wow, thanks.

That will go a long way of filling the newly graded area.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/unp052424a.jpg

Apparently Norman is getting a Main Event. (Not sure if it was mentioned) i think Mardel and Hobby Lobby will be moving from the main street location
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/445497589_848388450648663_7291831602065043710_n.jp g?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=YhM_cvXCH5kQ7kNvgGHuak3&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AYBKf_JkPPrPCHAcWERbcLFWer2D2-dvspju0bE-hBhc2g&oe=6657E3FE

apparently i am a few hours late

Sad that this specific area was to be the lifestyle center. Now? Nothing even remotely resembling one. It is good sales tax revenue for Norman, but just sad, given what Norman was promoted in 2005-2006.