I agree small amount for signage and local support could be seen as a way to promote company for hiring purposes. Name recognition and image of support. But I agree you don’t need full on arena name to do that. Simple logo on screens and promotions in arena are most that are neededSo what other company stepped up 12 years ago? Did you guys want OKC Arena all this time? That sure would have shown the country that it's big business in OKC! I don't remember a line of companies just waiting to pony up for naming rights.

So what other company stepped up 12 years ago? Did you guys want OKC Arena all this time? That sure would have shown the country that it's big business in OKC! I don't remember a line of companies just waiting to pony up for naming rights.

We have absolutely no idea who was interested or may have become interested at the time.

And do you expect the arena to remain unnamed now that Chesapeake has pulled out?

So they already shutdown the domain. I guess its back to OKCarena until a new sponsor is found.

https://www.chesapeakearena.com/

So they already shutdown the domain. I guess its back to OKCarena until a new sponsor is found.

https://www.chesapeakearena.com/

Interesting. They said they would plan to use the ChK arena name until new sponsor is announced.

Pete. I see it as more of a civic pride kind of thing where the largest (or one of the largest) companies in a city takes on naming rights and sponsorships of things in the city. Memphis has this exact same thing with FedEx and Chicago with United Airlines. Now while it probably makes more $ense for United to possibly gain passengers I'm sure it was also a pride thing of being one of the largest companies, home grown from Chicago. Otherwise, McDonald's Center would make much more sense if it were solely about using a building to generate sales, right?

You can't pick on energy companies just because their business model isn't direct to consumer. There is NO energy company other than retail gas stations that would directly benefit from advertising to its consumer via naming rights. OKC was lucky to get such a lucrative, big city naming rights deal so why should they pass it up and why should Chesapeake NOT want the advertising 'as one of the largest energy companies', homegrown from Oklahoma City, at that time. Devon sponsors even more things in OKC - anybody complaining about them not being direct to their business?

On that note, going forward I suspect naming rights will go to PayCom, Sonic, Hobby Lobby or American Fidelity. Love's already has the patch unless a swap with one of the aformentioned could be arranged. WeGoLook would be cool too!

It's honestly nice to have a diversity of local companies to pick from.

We have absolutely no idea who was interested or may have become interested at the time.

And do you expect the arena to remain unnamed now that Chesapeake has pulled out?No, the article you posted says it will remain Cheasapeake.

No, the article you posted says it will remain Cheasapeake.

They will find another sponsor, and soon.

Pete. I see it as more of a civic pride kind of thing where the largest (or one of the largest) companies in a city takes on naming rights and sponsorships of things in the city. Memphis has this exact same thing with FedEx and Chicago with United Airlines. Now while it probably makes more $ense for United to possibly gain passengers I'm sure it was also a pride thing of being one of the largest companies, home grown from Chicago. Otherwise, McDonald's Center would make much more sense if it were solely about using a building to generate sales, right?

You can't pick on energy companies just because their business model isn't direct to consumer. There is NO energy company other than retail gas stations that would directly benefit from advertising to its consumer via naming rights. OKC was lucky to get such a lucrative, big city naming rights deal so why should they pass it up and why should Chesapeake NOT want the advertising 'as one of the largest energy companies', homegrown from Oklahoma City, at that time. Devon sponsors even more things in OKC - anybody complaining about them not being direct to their business?

On that note, going forward I suspect naming rights will go to PayCom, Sonic, Hobby Lobby or American Fidelity. Love's already has the patch unless a swap with one of the aformentioned could be arranged. WeGoLook would be cool too!

It's honestly nice to have a diversity of local companies to pick from.You bring up The United Center which I think is funny too. Why doesn't anyone have a problem with the airline companies spending that money when they are the first in line for bailouts every time? American Airlines is the partner for Dallas and Miami, but all I read is how much money they lose until the next bailout!

They will find another sponsor, and soon. I don't doubt that and I hope so, but I was answering your question.

Interesting. They said they would plan to use the ChK arena name until new sponsor is announced.

Chk may have owned the actual domain?

Enable no longer a local company and please no no no to Hobby Lobby.

I’m a bit biased, but I wouldn’t mind seeing something along the lines of:

The SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger Arena

As for CHK, Fortune 500 companies regularly spend shareholder money on all kinds of silly vanity projects. $42M is but a rounding error compared to the average annual capex CHK deployed during the period it owned the Naming Rights.

Velveeta for the Liquid Gold Thunderdome is second to the Love’s Shack for me. 😂

Velveeta for the Liquid Gold Thunderdome is second to the Love’s Shack for me. ��

"Love's Shack" would be great lol

Would love for the Ford dealers to cut a new deal...

Companies spend money on advertising all the time even if they don't serve the end user. It creates corporate goodwill in case a negative PR incident happens. They can proxy favor in a dicey situation. This is basic business practice.

Companies spend money on advertising all the time even if they don't serve the end user. It creates corporate goodwill in case a negative PR incident happens. They can proxy favor in a dicey situation. This is basic business practice.
Thank you, I thought this would be understood by someone involved in the business community. The original negative comments would’ve never been made if this situation involved anyone besides Aubrey McClendon.

Thank you, I thought this would be understood by someone involved in the business community. The original negative comments would’ve never been made if this situation involved anyone besides Aubrey McClendon.

And the fact the company went into bankruptcy, has let go over 4,000 employees and lost $89 BILLION during this naming rights contract.

And the fact the company went into bankruptcy, has let go over 4,000 employees and lost $89 BILLION during this naming rights contract.

And yet, plenty of average folk think good of CHK.

I'm not saying it was a good decision of them. They probably should have done it to a lesser extent

And yet, plenty of average folk think good of CHK.

And plenty believe that this outlandish spending was silly and horrible business.

Especially the CHK shareholders who finally had McClendon thrown out for exactly this type of extreme extravagance.

Would love for the Ford dealers to cut a new deal... Except Ford is like every other car manufacturer at the moment, they can't even produce cars! Most of their plants are still closed.

And plenty believe that this outlandish spending was silly and horrible business.

Especially the CHK shareholders who finally had McClendon thrown out for exactly this type of extreme extravagance.And not one of them returned all the money (vacations, private schools, jet flying, etc etc) that he made them in the prime days!

Hmmmmmm

https://twitter.com/TheLostOgle/status/1384709395708215310


Hearing PayCom has an “exciting” announcement for employees tomorrow morning. Could the Thunder have a new arena sponsor? Stay tuned.

I hope everyone likes the color green.

Someone bought paycomarena.com back in 2019 (though it's just parked), so either they've been planning to do this for a long time or they'll have to buy it out from someone.

I had to look twice at the authors of the article because the first few lines screamed Lackmeyer..."something's gonna happen. Don't know what or when, but something....". Always feels like i'm listening to Dave in 2010, "Something is going to happen. Something wonderful."

I mean the article was really pointless. CHK exited as part of the bankruptcy. OK. The city doesn't get to decide squat because we let the Thunder own that part. OK. But that could have been worded in a way that didn't make the article feel like they were just taking up print space.

I am a little uneasy that the city doesn't get a say in who's name goes on there at all. We could end up with a REALLY stupid name like some of these other arenas have gotten, and we would be stuck with it for decades. Here comes Billy Bob's Mortgage and Discount Warehouse Arena. I mean seriously, if someone paid enough, that's a possibility. And that's what will represent OKC on TV and to every visitor.

You mean you’re not excited for Tractor Bob’s Arena?

In my opinion Paycom would be a great arena sponsor for the city. Having a homegrown technology company blasted all over TVs for the next 10 years will make the city look good.

In my opinion Paycom would be a great arena sponsor for the city. Having a homegrown technology company blasted all over TVs for the next 10 years will make the city look good.

i agree 100%... not that there is anything wrong with other organizations like love's, but i think a tech firm presents the best message.

Loves already ruined the jerseys. I despise them for not even trying to come up with a better patch. Paycom is a classy company and Paycom Arena flows off the tongue.

Someone bought paycomarena.com back in 2019 (though it's just parked), so either they've been planning to do this for a long time or they'll have to buy it out from someone.

Of course it has private owner info, but was purchased via GoDaddy. I don't know if Paycom would go with GoDaddy, they are just a bit of a trashy upsell registrar.

In my opinion Paycom would be a great arena sponsor for the city. Having a homegrown technology company blasted all over TVs for the next 10 years will make the city look good.

Paycom also would benefit with the advertising and name recognition nationwide. They already do heavy television ads places. They seem the most likely fit from our local companies

Paycom is also making a lot of money right now, so they could spare the expense.

Of course it has private owner info, but was purchased via GoDaddy. I don't know if Paycom would go with GoDaddy, they are just a bit of a trashy upsell registrar.

I'm not sure companies are that discriminating about the registrars they use. Sometimes it's a matter of a lack of choices. For example, while we use someone else for most of our domains, we use GoDaddy because they're one of the few registrars for certain domains, especially some foreign ones, which our main registrar doesn't deal in.

Paycom meeting/announcement this morning was not about arena naming rights.

If MAPS 4 sales tax revenue meets projections, the arena would receive about $104 million, with the rest going to the practice facility. Note: MAPS 4 allocated $115 million for the arena & practice facility. Maybe they can do the arena renovations in phases...

The proposals include:

• An expansion of the area at the northeast entry, where about 60% of patrons pass through, creating a pinch point before games or concerts. The expansion would allow more space for foot traffic. Planners also want to move the souvenir store to that vicinity and create a food court.

• An expansion of the 300 seating level, known as Loud City, to give the upper deck fans some of the same amenities as those below, mostly more space to congregate and some sit-down dining options. More restrooms and elevators are part of the plan.

• An outdoor patio on the second level.

• Replacing all the original seats on every level.

• Installing a new scoreboard with a 34-foot by 19-foot video board. The video board in place is 20 feet by 10 feet. Video monitors would be placed above
seating tunnels.

The arena project include a new northeast entry interior that includes an expanded concourse to alleviate foot traffic and new shops and restaurants; a new food court with additional restaurant-style seating; and Loud City upgrades with expanded concourse views, a new seating level, additional restrooms and a new dining and beverage area with expanded space.--Source: Oklahoma City, JENNIFER F. A. BORRESEN/GATEHOUSE MEDIA

Would love for the Ford dealers to cut a new deal...

I agree, I personally liked Ford Center. A global brand and very easy name to say/remember.

Myriad? I know where we can get some signage for real cheap lol

I would love it to be Paycom, and I know from my wife working there they are looking for ways to be more of a national brand. While the Thunder are obliviously very bad right now, they won't be for long with a little lottery and drafting luck. (FYI not long in NBA terms means 3-4 years)

Tramel's ScissorTales: How the OKC Thunder should rename Chesapeake Energy Arena (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/04/23/how-oklahoma-city-thunder-should-rename-chesapeake-energy-arena/7349044002/)

Great article link David.

If they go with a proper name, like Brad Pitt (net worth $240 million), you could name it The Pitt.

How about Tom & Judy Love Coliseum; like Joe & Harry Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.

MidFirst Bank handles the Thunder's accounts and banking services. They would benefit if they got their name on the arena.

Also, Arvest Bank might be interesting...

Arvest Bank might be interesting...

I beg to differ. ARVEST is based out of Arkansas and not even the most popular bank in this state. BancFirst is much more appropriate in my opinion.

I beg to differ. ARVEST is based out of Arkansas and not even the most popular bank in this state. BancFirst is much more appropriate in my opinion.

Or MidFirst.

American Fidelity is another possibility.

Oklahoma Men's Clinic Alpha Male Arena

Lady Americanarena

Lady Americanarena
hahaha

Gigglez Dome

Or MidFirst.

American Fidelity is another possibility.

I don’t think midfirst or banc first do enough outside of Oklahoma to need their brand out there on a national level.

I beg to differ. ARVEST is based out of Arkansas and not even the most popular bank in this state. BancFirst is much more appropriate in my opinion.

aka walmart bank ..

I don’t think midfirst or banc first do enough outside of Oklahoma to need their brand out there on a national level.

Well Bank of Oklahoma didn't exactly need that when they did the Tulsa arena. But arenas get big publicity when they first open so BoK got a lot of press through that. Granted, it's not a pro team situation, but there are plenty of pro facilities out there named from things that don't really get a benefit like that. LucasOil is a rather large one i can think of. It would be like Devon getting the naming rights (or how CHK did). They aren't consumer driven companies, so advertising like that doesn't help them attract people at the pump. They're wholesalers and those companies don't make deals because they saw a name on TV.

All I'm saying is don't count what you feel is a more local business out. They might see it as an opportunity for name recognition regardless of where that name gets dropped.

I don’t think midfirst or banc first do enough outside of Oklahoma to need their brand out there on a national level.

MidFirst bank does a huge amount of mortgage business outside Oklahoma.

MidFirst bank does a huge amount of mortgage business outside Oklahoma.

And BOK is also pretty large outside Oklahoma:

https://investor.bokf.com/corporate-profile/default.aspx (scroll to the bottom)

Prior to the opening of the BOK Center in Tulsa, BOKF was already in the Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona markets.

At the end of the day the name will go to the highest bidder. It's biddness. Who pays the most will get the name regardless of regional or national presence , retail or wholesale market.

I would love it to be Paycom, and I know from my wife working there they are looking for ways to be more of a national brand.

Maybe after taking home $211mil last year, Chad Richison will just name it after himself.

And Arvest is making moves in OKC, being anchor to a major tower downtown. Perhaps OKC - being the largest city Arvest is in - might be a great vehicle for them to market nationwide/worldwide?

Makes a case for them to possibly be interested in Arvest Arena naming campaign. ...

Prior to the opening of the BOK Center in Tulsa, BOKF was already in the Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona markets.

Yeah but mostly under the other subsidiary names like Bank of Texas, etc. A lot of people don't realize that they're all part of the same company.

application to the DDRC for new signage for whomever is the new naming rights sponsor of the arena

including way better lighting and a lit roof sign ..

I bet they already have someone lined up; should find out soon.

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HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/chkarena070821c.jpg


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thanks pete .... it never made sense to me to not have a lit roof sign .....