Please tell me how Memphis beats San Antonio when San Antonio ranks in the Top 10 (out of 122) in all but 1 category (where they ranked 12th) and Memphis shows very poorly in others.

I don't really care, but when the data presented seems to make the best case for the 2nd place team, I call BCS on this garbage.

I see exactly what you are saying. Just how much weight went to the various catagories for Memphis to place No.1?

The second place team, San Antonio finished 3rd in 2012; Memphis finished 5th in 2012. Again, how did they weigh those catagories? The formula of using catagories and voters much have something to do with this--trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. This just doesn't add up!

Their explanation:

Next, through ESPN.com and NetReflector, a Seattle opinion research company, we asked fans to rate their favorite teams online in each category. (Thanks to the 59,298 of you who responded!) We grouped the grades into seven of the eight subjects you see at right.

For the remaining category, bang for the buck, we relied on calculations we've developed with researchers at the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center to figure out how efficiently teams convert revenues from fans into performance on the field (including postseason victories).

Finally, we combined each team's score across all eight categories into a weighted average, based on the results of our national poll. Since fans said affordability was about 40 percent more important than stadium experience, for example, our formula reflects that.

The result: the 2013 Ultimate Standings, the only rankings that combine fan perspectives with an objective measure of how well teams turn dollars into wins. Ultimately, it all counts.

Can anyone figure this out? These figures don't add up using the catagories. Plus, the select market drop down menu doesn't list Oklahoma City as a market. We were lost some years ago by a popular map company as a state and now Oklahoma City as a market doesn't exist on ESPN's market menu.

Looks like manipulation from Seattle so OKC won't get #1 again.

OKC mayor: ‘City has higher profile’ because of NBA

Cornett added that the Thunder’s presence has allowed Oklahoma City to have a different set of peer cities through a “very superficial level of equality.”

NBA?s Oklahoma City Thunder bring higher profile to city, Mayor tells Leadership Louisville audience - Louisville - Business First (http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/08/30/okc-mayor-city-has-higher-profile.html)

OKC mayor: ‘City has higher profile’ because of NBA

Cornett added that the Thunder’s presence has allowed Oklahoma City to have a different set of peer cities through a “very superficial level of equality.”

NBA?s Oklahoma City Thunder bring higher profile to city, Mayor tells Leadership Louisville audience - Louisville - Business First (http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/08/30/okc-mayor-city-has-higher-profile.html)


From my perspective there is NO DOUBT that the presence of the NBA in OKC has elevated the cities profile and personally I walk a whole lot taller, and talk a whole lot prouder because of the Thunder. This team has for me, given me a team to call my team in the professional ranks (because it is in my home State) which gives me an undescribable level of pride.

^ could not have said this any better and completely agree!

I agree, the Thunder has been a game changer for OKC and national perception. While many from the coasts still view this city as backwater (especially by people angry about the Sonics), its now on the map and people nationally talk about it, while before OKC was one of those places in flyover country people never thought about or realized was actually a decent sized place.

Does anybody have any idea why media outlets always use outdated photos of the OKC skyline? Rarely is one used that shows the Devon tower. Sometimes it seems like they show images that still have the Bank1One logo on the Chase tower. Is it intentional or can these journalists just not find more recent skyline shots?

Does anybody have any idea why media outlets always use outdated photos of the OKC skyline? Rarely is one used that shows the Devon tower. Sometimes it seems like they show images that still have the Bank1One logo on the Chase tower. Is it intentional or can these journalists just not find more recent skyline shots?

It's probably just tough to eliminate the leftovers from 30 years of stagnation.

Does anybody have any idea why media outlets always use outdated photos of the OKC skyline? Rarely is one used that shows the Devon tower. Sometimes it seems like they show images that still have the Bank1One logo on the Chase tower. Is it intentional or can these journalists just not find more recent skyline shots?

They are probably pulling stock photos from some service that only has ones from a few years ago. Even if the city or chamber of commerce were to freely release some under a very permissive license, a lot of news agencies would probably still just use the source they are familiar with and are assured the the legitimacy of the license

10 US cities that transformed into must visit destinations. (http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2013/11/10-us-cities-that-transformed-into-must-visit-destinations-in-2013/)


…I'll take it!

"...the city took action. It’s now a mecca for those looking for outdoor activity while traveling the country. There are 70 miles of trails, kayaking, Rocktown, a grain elevator turned rock climbing gym, and the nearby Wichita Mountains"

I'm so glad the city got us those mountains! :-P

Nearby is a relative term, It is a pretty easy day trip for locals and should only be slightly out of the way if coming from Texas (which is probably where we get either the majority or at least a large minority of out tourists from)

"...the city took action. It’s now a mecca for those looking for outdoor activity while traveling the country. There are 70 miles of trails, kayaking, Rocktown, a grain elevator turned rock climbing gym, and the nearby Wichita Mountains"

I'm so glad the city got us those mountains! :-P

I thought Wichita got those mountains. Or was it Omaha?

It's a dog-eat-kibbles-n-bits competitive world out there, I'm telling ya. :wink:

The Oklahoma City revival miracle - Inside Tucson Business: Guest Opinion (http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/opinion/columnists/guest_opinion/the-oklahoma-city-revival-miracle/article_373c76f0-4d7f-11e3-9af3-001a4bcf887a.html)

Looks like part 1 of a multi-part article.

Good read, although I don't think I've ever seen gondolas in the canal (might be an idea, though). Also, pretty sure OU didn't relocate the medical school from Enid (he must have confused this with Continental?)

The Oklahoma City revival miracle - Inside Tucson Business: Guest Opinion (http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/opinion/columnists/guest_opinion/the-oklahoma-city-revival-miracle/article_373c76f0-4d7f-11e3-9af3-001a4bcf887a.html)

Looks like part 1 of a multi-part article.

Good read, although I don't think I've ever seen gondolas in the canal (might be an idea, though). Also, pretty sure OU didn't relocate the medical school from Enid (he must have confused this with Continental?)

When I first heard about rowing downtown, i imagined it was going to be gondola style, did not even imagine it would be something I would be doing for exercise a few years later.

The Oklahoma City revival miracle - Inside Tucson Business: Guest Opinion (http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/opinion/columnists/guest_opinion/the-oklahoma-city-revival-miracle/article_373c76f0-4d7f-11e3-9af3-001a4bcf887a.html)

Looks like part 1 of a multi-part article.

Good read, although I don't think I've ever seen gondolas in the canal (might be an idea, though). Also, pretty sure OU didn't relocate the medical school from Enid (he must have confused this with Continental?)

It's hard to really imagine what living here would have been like 15-20 years ago as an adult. I did live here in my early teen years in the late '90s when my dad was stationed at Tinker. While downtown has considerably improved since then, the bottom has also fallen out on many areas that were desirable in that era, most notably Warr Acres, Bethany, parts of Midwest City, and the Crossroads Retail Corridor.

Of course downtown was dead, but wasn't that prior to the nationwide urban renewal trend? In 1994, wasn't suburbia still king?

It's hard to really imagine what living here would have been like 15-20 years ago as an adult. I did live here in my early teen years in the late '90s when my dad was stationed at Tinker. While downtown has considerably improved since then, the bottom has also fallen out on many areas that were desirable in that era, most notably Warr Acres, Bethany, parts of Midwest City, and the Crossroads Retail Corridor.

Of course downtown was dead, but wasn't that prior to the nationwide urban renewal trend? In 1994, wasn't suburbia still king?

That's part of the problem with ever-expanding suburbia. There's zero reason to move to Midwest City, when you can move 5 miles out past Midwest City and get a nicer home for less money? Why live in Bethany when you can move to the other side of Lake Hefner? Unless a specific area has a very specific, stable reason why someone would choose to live there (like the historic value of Heritage Hills, or the presence of OU in Norman), it will always be cheaper to just keep moving farther out.

That's part of the problem with ever-expanding suburbia. There's zero reason to move to Midwest City, when you can move 5 miles out past Midwest City and get a nicer home for less money? Why live in Bethany when you can move to the other side of Lake Hefner? Unless a specific area has a very specific, stable reason why someone would choose to live there (like the historic value of Heritage Hills, or the presence of OU in Norman), it will always be cheaper to just keep moving farther out.

Agreed. Memorial has become what NW Expressway once was. Deer Creek has become the new Putnam City. Midwest City/Del City have lost virtually all desirability, and the Crossroads area has moved to South Moore. I don't think this is a result of sprawl in and of itself though. I think its more the result of how cheap land is as well as low standards, all of which make "disposable development" more common.

The Oklahoma City revival miracle - Inside Tucson Business: Guest Opinion (http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/opinion/columnists/guest_opinion/the-oklahoma-city-revival-miracle/article_373c76f0-4d7f-11e3-9af3-001a4bcf887a.html)

Looks like part 1 of a multi-part article.

Good read, although I don't think I've ever seen gondolas in the canal (might be an idea, though). Also, pretty sure OU didn't relocate the medical school from Enid (he must have confused this with Continental?)

Yeah he clearly is mixed up with Continental, but how did OUHSC get in there..?

It's hard to really imagine what living here would have been like 15-20 years ago as an adult. I did live here in my early teen years in the late '90s when my dad was stationed at Tinker. While downtown has considerably improved since then, the bottom has also fallen out on many areas that were desirable in that era, most notably Warr Acres, Bethany, parts of Midwest City, and the Crossroads Retail Corridor.

Of course downtown was dead, but wasn't that prior to the nationwide urban renewal trend? In 1994, wasn't suburbia still king?

Honestly, suburbia was still king as recently as, what, 2008? Bricktown was certainly around by then, but that's a lot of what was downtown.

We talk all the time about the Thunder being a big deal for our national perception, but local perception of downtown has been greatly impacted by the Thunder. They gave people a reason to finally spend some substantive time downtown, and I think people have found that there's actually a lot to do.

I wouldn't say that downtown has taken over rule, but it does seem like suburbia has been knocked off the throne. I think we'll find that rather than downtown taking over, that the Urban Core as a whole is going to prevail…How OKC deals with the problem of rotting suburban areas will remain to be seen.

Honestly, suburbia was still king as recently as, what, 2008? Bricktown was certainly around by then, but that's a lot of what was downtown.

We talk all the time about the Thunder being a big deal for our national perception, but local perception of downtown has been greatly impacted by the Thunder. They gave people a reason to finally spend some substantive time downtown, and I think people have found that there's actually a lot to do.

I wouldn't say that downtown has taken over rule, but it does seem like suburbia has been knocked off the throne. I think we'll find that rather than downtown taking over, that the Urban Core as a whole is going to prevail…How OKC deals with the problem of rotting suburban areas will remain to be seen.

That is true, but I wasn't necessarily talking about OKC specifically. OKC typically lags national trends, including downtown gentrification, but as far as I know in the mid-1990s we were still basically in that 80s-era nationally where the American dream was a home in the suburbs and downtown areas were rotting nationwide. Correct me if I am wrong on this. The backlash against suburbia seems to be mostly a post-Y2K trend.

Changes, improvements attract young residents to OKC | News OK (http://newsok.com/changes-improvements-attract-young-residents-to-okc/article/3912592)

That is true, but I wasn't necessarily talking about OKC specifically. OKC typically lags national trends, including downtown gentrification, but as far as I know in the mid-1990s we were still basically in that 80s-era nationally where the American dream was a home in the suburbs and downtown areas were rotting nationwide. Correct me if I am wrong on this. The backlash against suburbia seems to be mostly a post-Y2K trend.

The idea that you can ONLY have a strong core OR a strong suburbs is just wishful thinking on the part of zealot new urbanists. We had to strengthen our core for its sake AND the health of our whole city. AND is better than OR..

The idea that you can ONLY have a strong core OR a strong suburbs is just wishful thinking on the part of zealot new urbanists. We had to strengthen our core for its sake AND the health of our whole city. AND is better than OR..

I completely agree.

OKC made the cut on a list of the top 10 hottest housing markets for 2014.

Top 10 Hot Housing Markets for 2014 (http://www.businessinsider.com/hot-housing-markets-2014-2013-12)

OKC made the cut on a list of the top 10 hottest housing markets for 2014.

Top 10 Hot Housing Markets for 2014 (http://www.businessinsider.com/hot-housing-markets-2014-2013-12)

Everything's going to hell in a hand basket here. We need a new mayor! LOL

Here's one that's not so great....

5 Cities Where the Paychecks are the Smallest (http://www.thestreet.com/story/12154195/1/5-cities-where-the-paychecks-are-smallest.html)

Here's one that's not so great....

5 Cities Where the Paychecks are the Smallest (http://www.thestreet.com/story/12154195/1/5-cities-where-the-paychecks-are-smallest.html)

In reality, they do list the fact that cost of living offsets the lower wage scale.

#4 Hidden Gem Market (http://www.thestreet.com/story/12162133/2/5-hidden-gems-of-real-estate-for-the-small-investor.html)

Oklahoma City made another list.

The Metro Areas With The Most Economic Momentum Going Into 2014 - Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2013/12/26/the-metro-areas-with-the-most-economic-momentum-going-into-2014/)

Still using old skyline photos from before the Devon tower. Can't really blame them when our own News 9 does the same thing.

Oklahoma City made another list.

The Metro Areas With The Most Economic Momentum Going Into 2014 - Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2013/12/26/the-metro-areas-with-the-most-economic-momentum-going-into-2014/)

Still using old skyline photos from before the Devon tower. Can't really blame them when our own News 9 does the same thing.

I noticed a related article from article the author wrote a week ago, OKC was #10; Where Working-Age Americans Are Moving - Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2013/12/19/where-working-age-americans-are-moving/)

Oklahoma City made another list.

The Metro Areas With The Most Economic Momentum Going Into 2014 - Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2013/12/26/the-metro-areas-with-the-most-economic-momentum-going-into-2014/)

Still using old skyline photos from before the Devon tower. Can't really blame them when our own News 9 does the same thing.

Who does PR for the Chamber? Would it be possible for them to send photos to media that write on us about every other week: New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, etc.?

Who does PR for the Chamber? Would it be possible for them to send photos to media that write on us about every other week: New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, etc.?

Getting them to stock photo sources with whatever rights they need would probably be what is needed

Raleigh's skyline photo right after ours was ridiculously sexy. Wow they've come a long ways...

How another American city chose to invest in change | gazette.com (http://m.gazette.com/how-another-american-city-chose-to-invest-in-change/article/1510680)

How another American city chose to invest in change | gazette.com (http://m.gazette.com/how-another-american-city-chose-to-invest-in-change/article/1510680)

Nice! Always glad to read and hear about the incredible transformation that has and continures to take place in OKC. Both the citizens and leaders of OKC are to commended for their vision.

How another American city chose to invest in change | gazette.com (http://m.gazette.com/how-another-american-city-chose-to-invest-in-change/article/1510680)

I wonder if the civic leaders in the City of Champions ( Colorado Springs ) have aspirations of hosting an Olympic Event????? hhmmm????

I wonder if the civic leaders in the City of Champions ( Colorado Springs ) have aspirations of hosting an Olympic Event????? hhmmm????

Denver could easily host the Winter Olympics and share some events with Colorado Springs. I don't however see even Denver being large or world-renowned enough to host the summer games. Face it, OKC will never have the Olympics. Let's focus on a more obtainable goal. I like the idea of the NBA All-Star game.

Denver could easily host the Winter Olympics and share some events with Colorado Springs. I don't however see even Denver being large or world-renowned enough to host the summer games. Face it, OKC will never have the Olympics. Let's focus on a more obtainable goal. I like the idea of the NBA All-Star game.

Denver can easily host the Winter Games. They are bigger than SLC and much more connected to the transportation grid. Not to mention they probably have plenty of hotel rooms. You would likely see the wealth spread around since Denver itself isn't in the mountains. That isn't any issue though. When Vancouver hosted, most of the ski events and such were up in Whistler. Summer Games in Denver? Very doubtful.

Denver is the only city to ever turn down the Olympic games. they were the winter games of 1976

Denver is the only city to ever turn down the Olympic games. they were the winter games of 1976

This caused some bad blood between the Olympic committee and Denver because it came kind of late. I'm not sure Colorado would want them even today without a lot of Federal assistance to improve highways and put in mountain rail The traffic out of Denver to the mountains is already awful in the winter.

I wonder if the civic leaders in the City of Champions ( Colorado Springs ) have aspirations of hosting an Olympic Event????? hhmmm????

They have interest in keeping the National events of various USOC governing bodies they have now, maybe bringing some more National events but there is not any serious attempt at hosting the Olympics there.

Denver is the only city to ever turn down the Olympic games. they were the winter games of 1976

The base was going to be at Dillion on the West side of the divide. I knew investors who were snatching up property in Dillion in anticipation.

Denver can easily host the Winter Games. They are bigger than SLC and much more connected to the transportation grid. Not to mention they probably have plenty of hotel rooms. You would likely see the wealth spread around since Denver itself isn't in the mountains. That isn't any issue though. When Vancouver hosted, most of the ski events and such were up in Whistler. Summer Games in Denver? Very doubtful.

Did you even READ the article? ...guess not. They are looking at OKC as an example of How to get things Done. My post regarding Olympics is to get us out of our "we cant we cant we cant" mindset. Others (cities) are looking at OKC and wondering what / how is this happening?

If others across the US are looking at us in a "new light", then maybe you should too.

The difference between hosting the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics is the difference between dating Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd.

The difference between hosting the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics is the difference between dating Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd.

Not sure I totally get that analogy. Ashley is kind of attractive but Wynonna is not at all.

Not sure I totally get that analogy. Ashley is kind of attractive but Wynonna is not at all.

The Summer Olympics are significantly more prestigious than the Winter Olympics.

They have interest in keeping the National events of various USOC governing bodies they have now, maybe bringing some more National events but there is not any serious attempt at hosting the Olympics there.

Yes, thank you. They are using OKC as the model to increase tourism w/ special events.

The Summer Olympics are significantly more prestigious than the Winter Olympics.

Correct. The criteria for host cities are different. The Summer Olympics, with only a few exceptions, are hosted in truly world-class cities. Think Paris, New York, Chicago, Milan, Tokyo, etc. Atlanta would fall on the bottom rung of the tier of Olympic cities for the summer games and many say they should have never had the games in the first place. The location for the Winter Olympics is more determined by the nearby natural amenities than it is by the city itself, hence how Salt Lake City was able to host them.

The Summer Olympics are significantly more prestigious than the Winter Olympics.

Except when your name is Putin and you decide to hold the Winter Olympics at a Summer resort (there are palm trees in Sochi for crying out loud!!!), climate and opinions be darned... :-P

Always good when a twitter account with over 2M followers tweets about your Mayor.

https://twitter.com/TEDTalks/status/418786344995790849

The video is pretty good as well. Good publicity for OKC.

Made another top 10 list

The 10 Best Cities to Raise a Family in America (http://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/the-10-best-cities-to-raise-a-family-in-america/)

5 Underrated Coffee Cities - Sprudge.com (http://sprudge.com/5-underrated-coffee-cities.html)

Saw someone post that link on Facebook. Very cool!

That's pretty neat.

Not really. Of the three roasters, Mariposa blows, and I haven't tried the other two. Why not just buy it online from someone who knows what the f they're doing.

Not really. Of the three roasters, Mariposa blows, and I haven't tried the other two. Why not just buy it online from someone who knows what the f they're doing.

Very brilliant of you to critique two places as not knowing "what the f they're doing" when you haven't even been to them.

Elemental and Coffee Slingers are both very good. I hadn't heard of Mariposa.

5 Underrated Coffee Cities - Sprudge.com (http://sprudge.com/5-underrated-coffee-cities.html)

I saw this and was going to post it. Probably one of the more interesting lists I've seen.

I would have added Evoke if I was writing that article.

Where is that?

Tried Coffee Slingers. Not impressed with the coffee but the vibe was better than a Starbucks. Certainly nothing underrated about it.