I'm not sure what prevents them from reaching an agreement with OU to play in Norman for a couple years while the stadium is under construction. The pitch meets USL standards and even though seating capacity isn't 8-10,000; it should be sufficient while getting restarted and rebuilding the fan base even if the drive to Norman from OKC and Edmond would be too far to drive for some people.

Is there a reason they couldn’t play at UCO? Figure it’s probably got plenty of field space since there used to be a track around the football field (though I can’t remember is they closed some of that in when they redid the stands).

Is there a reason they couldn’t play at UCO? Figure it’s probably got plenty of field space since there used to be a track around the football field (though I can’t remember is they closed some of that in when they redid the stands).

I'm not sure honestly. I know the OU Soccer complex is a decent number of seat, but I don't think the soccer field at UCO has many seats. As far as the football stadium, not sure if pitch width might be an issue there or not. A long time ago I remember people talking about a pipe dream MLS team playing there so maybe it would work.

I'm not sure honestly. I know the OU Soccer complex is a decent number of seat, but I don't think the soccer field at UCO has many seats. As far as the football stadium, not sure if pitch width might be an issue there or not. A long time ago I remember people talking about a pipe dream MLS team playing there so maybe it would work.

Yeah I meant the football stadium. Seems like they'd have plenty of width with all the space left over from the old track but I know very little about soccer field requirements.

On edit: A rough google earth footage comparison between UCO's soccer and football fields seems to indicate that it could work spacewise.

I can't remember for sure what the reason has been (or even if any reason has been shared by Energy ownership) in the past when the UCO and OU fields are brought up. I could be mistaken, but I think it is always the schools, or the USL that get "blamed".

Recall sometime during the late 70s --early 80s UCO looked at Wantland Stadium expansion to 25,000; they also looked at moving up to the NCAA's highest football division.

The NASL was growing and there was talk of bringing an NASL franchise to OKC since the league had been a successful draw at Tulsa's Skelly Stadium.

IIRC the Oklahoma City Slickers were in the ASL, some ASL teams made the move to the NASL; they aspired to move an OKC franchise to the NASL where Tulsa would be a natural rival.

Later the financial woes rocked the league with many franchises folding over the years; Tulsa Roughnecks won the final championship in 1984 before the league folded.

UCO had a design plan with a nice 25,000 seat stadium with shade covers. The expanded stadium would have served the needs of football and soccer; unfortunately it never came to fruition.

I can't remember for sure what the reason has been (or even if any reason has been shared by Energy ownership) in the past when the UCO and OU fields are brought up. I could be mistaken, but I think it is always the schools, or the USL that get "blamed".

The former Energy ownership group should be tried in The Hague for their crimes against the OKC soccer scene. Who knows how serious the new ownership group is yet, but would think there is at least a chance that the team finds a temporary home while waiting for the MAPS 4 stadium to be built. You’ll never convince me that the club couldn’t have worked something out with the USL with regards to continuing to play at Taft, moving to UCO’s stadium, or building a cheap modular stadium a la Phoenix/Sacramento if not for Bob Funk Jr. and Tim McLaughlin being laughably unserious people. It has never made a lick of sense for the USL to just not field a team for three seasons and counting in what should be one of their flagship metropolitan areas. The OKC Metro is very comparable to the Louisville Metro, and Louisville has been arguably the most successful USL franchise over the years.

^

Back when the metro area hosted the '89 Olympic Festival' they constructed a temporary soccer stadium in Edmond--capacity 8,000 spectators. Remember seeing the stadium IIRC was in Hafer Park. Several years later when visiting the area I noticed the stadium was gone.

They could work out some kind of plan to use Chad Richison Stadium UCO campus as mentioned by SEMIweather. The Energy FC could tap into that base of Edmond fans. When the new stadium is constructed in OKC, you might retain a good following from the Edmond area.


Kanady and developer Mark Beffort have plans for a $1 billion stadium district in Lower Bricktown. The soccer stadium, part of MAPS 4, would seat between 8,000 and 10,000, according to plans.--Oklahoman, 08-09-2024.

Sounds a though the 'Stadium District' would include the new Downtown NBA arena and the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.

Funk and the ownership group not even pretending to try and field a soccer team these past several years will never not be funny to me in a weird, sad way.

I will never understand (especially with what people have been saying in another thread about low attendance for baseball) why they didn't play TEMPORARILY in the Bricktown Ballpark. I think the city would have welcomed the extra income.
And before anyone complains about sightlines, whatever, here are the USL Championship teams that currently PERMANENTLY play in baseball stadiums
- El Paso
- Las Vegas
- Memphis
- New Mexico
- Tulsa
- Tampa Bay
- Brooklyn (soon to be)

It's an incredible location
Plenty of parking
Plenty of restaurants and bars for pre/post

I agree with several of the others on this thread that the ownership group really had no intention of trying to field a team the past few years.
Anyway, just my $0.02

I will never understand (especially with what people have been saying in another thread about low attendance for baseball) why they didn't play TEMPORARILY in the Bricktown Ballpark. I think the city would have welcomed the extra income.
And before anyone complains about sightlines, whatever, here are the USL Championship teams that currently PERMANENTLY play in baseball stadiums
- El Paso
- Las Vegas
- Memphis
- New Mexico
- Tulsa
- Tampa Bay
- Brooklyn (soon to be)

It's an incredible location
Plenty of parking
Plenty of restaurants and bars for pre/post

I agree with several of the others on this thread that the ownership group really had no intention of trying to field a team the past few years.
Anyway, just my $0.02

Sure, its certainly better than nothing, but I bet they could find an even better option if they tried. I was curious on what kind of configurations the other teams were using and New Mexico were forced to have even worse sight lines because the baseball team got tired of rebuilding the mound.

https://www.krqe.com/news/community/new-mexico-united-changes-field-layout-at-isotopes-park/

Funk and the ownership group not even pretending to try and field a soccer team these past several years will never not be funny to me in a weird, sad way.I served with Bob Funk Jr. on a charity board for a couple years about 8-10 years ago. I found him to be open, honest, engaging, and interested in making soccer in OKC a top-notch experience, although he did mention once that it was not a very profitable venture at the time.

I think his current duties at Express Personnel have simply consumed the majority of his time the last several years. I have also have noticed that Bob Funk Sr. is not nearly as visible around town as he once was. He's 84, so that is somewhat expected, but I am wondering if he may be having health issues of some kind other than simply his advanced age.

Anyway, the sale of majority ownership in Energy FC to Chris Kanady and his group can only serve to help OKC soccer. I hope they make it happen ASAP!

I will never understand (especially with what people have been saying in another thread about low attendance for baseball) why they didn't play TEMPORARILY in the Bricktown Ballpark. I think the city would have welcomed the extra income.
And before anyone complains about sightlines, whatever, here are the USL Championship teams that currently PERMANENTLY play in baseball stadiums
- El Paso
- Las Vegas
- Memphis
- New Mexico
- Tulsa
- Tampa Bay
- Brooklyn (soon to be)

It's an incredible location
Plenty of parking
Plenty of restaurants and bars for pre/post

I agree with several of the others on this thread that the ownership group really had no intention of trying to field a team the past few years.
Anyway, just my $0.02

IMO, they could have found some way to make this work temporarily downtown where the restaurants, hotels and motels in area could have benefited. The Funk-McLaughlin dream was to bring MLS to OKC.


https://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8138&d=1402590197

^ ^ ^
Borchard, you showed a diagram where this could have worked. What does it take to rebuild a mound; IMO
Oklahoma City's soccer base could have been built thru amenities offered in the CBD.

^It depends on the exact dimensions of the field. Tulsa just BARELY fits into our existing baseball field. They spent something like a quarter million on a retractable mound to make it work.

There are also nitpicky details with the stadium ownership I'm sure. So many contracts around them that can be hard to work through. If they could figure it out, I agree that the Energy would do very well at the ballpark. Being close to restaurants and bars is a huge benefit for Tulsa FC. Driving out to some suburb to catch a game has never seemed that appealing to me vs. spending the evening in an entertainment district.

There are also nitpicky details with the stadium ownership I'm sure.

OKC owns the stadium

OKC owns the stadium

And the OKC Baseball Club has a lease that no doubt excludes another sports tenant, especially in overlapping seasons.

And the OKC Baseball Club has a lease that no doubt excludes another sports tenant, especially in overlapping seasons.

i'm sure they do ... but things like that can be worked out ... I think the bigger point is .the same as them not building the 5 mil temp stadium at Chisholm Creek (or wherever) they just didn't really care about playing ..

^

Yes, there are stadiums all over OKC and even a temporary one like proposed for Chisholm Creek would not be super expensive.

Heck, since Echo Soccer now owns 9 acres in the Producers Coop, why not just set it up there until the permanent stadium is built? The property is plenty big to accommodate both.

^

Yes, there are stadiums all over OKC and even a temporary one like proposed for Chisholm Creek would not be super expensive.

Heck, since Echo Soccer now owns 9 acres in the Producers Coop, why not just set it up there until the permanent stadium is built? The property is plenty big to accommodate both.

completely agree ..

NewsOK article:
The new ownership group of Energy FC intends to bring high-level women’s soccer to Oklahoma City as a key component of the club’s rebirth

Check out this article from The Oklahoman:

Could OKC land NWSL franchise? Women's soccer will be 'component' of Energy FC's return

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/mls/energy-fc/2024/08/21/energy-fc-brand-review-womens-soccer-franchise-oklahoma-city-nwsl-expansion/74882645007/

It would be great so see women's soccer in OKC. The opportunities to see professional women playing will only help develop youth interest in soccer in the metro.

NWSL would be huge.

They are also planning to reevaluate the club name, colors, and branding.

They are also planning to reevaluate the club name, colors, and branding.

Starting fresh is a good idea.

Press release:

*************

OKC’s pro soccer club to undergo community driven brand review
Process will involve regular listening sessions and consideration of a women’s team in the future

OKLAHOMA CITY — Echo, the majority owner of OKC Energy FC that is overseen by its new affiliate Echo Soccer, today announced the start of a brand review of Oklahoma City’s professional soccer club. In addition, as a result of growing feedback from the community, the brand review will contemplate a future where the club includes a women’s team.

“The outpouring of enthusiasm and support for professional soccer has been incredible the last few weeks. As we work to build the very best soccer club for Oklahoma City, we are committed to a holistic approach that is guided by community input and feedback every step of the way,” said Court Jeske, President of Echo Soccer. “In a lot of ways, with the Energy on hiatus for the last three years, we have a blank canvas from which to rebuild our club into something new. At the end of the day, the forthcoming review is about ensuring soccer in OKC best reflects who we are and where we’re going. And we’re going to take our time and get it right – for all those who want to support the club.”

Fans are encouraged to stay engaged throughout the process by following the club’s existing social media channels (@EnergyFC on Facebook, Instagram, and X).

Updates will also be posted at OKCforSoccer.com.

The baseball team is rebranding, now the soccer team. With the new arena, the Thunder should rebrand! Jkjkjkjk, totally kidding.

But I do think it is smart to rebrand, and try to start fresh with new owners, especially after how things ended with the Funk ownership.

The baseball team is rebranding, now the soccer team. With the new arena, the Thunder should rebrand! Jkjkjkjk, totally kidding.

But I do think it is smart to rebrand, and try to start fresh with new owners, especially after how things ended with the Funk ownership.

The Thunder should absolutely change their terrible logos. I have seen so many fan designed concepts that blow their current branding out of the water. The Native American Alternates from a few years ago would be the dream.

The Thunder branding is well worse than many high schools.

I think this is what happens when you have so many owners and chefs in the kitchen and then insist on using a local firm like Ackerman McQueen.

At the very least, they should retire all use of the logo with THUNDER spelled out in an inexplicably horrible font above the graphic. There may be some NBA standard that says you have to have a version of the logo with the team name on it, though. If there is, it looks like Ackerman found out about it the day before presenting them and just slapped it on top.

It's so bad it's grown on me and now I love it

Thunder should take a cue from OKC FC and spend the next few years thinking about a rebrand.

The Thunder branding is well worse than many high schools.

I think this is what happens when you have so many owners and chefs in the kitchen and then insist on using a local firm like Ackerman McQueen.

I would hope that a new brand comes out in conjunction with the new arena - similar to how the Clippers have a new logo/uniforms/colors to coincide with the move to the Intuit Dome. The Thunder will be two decades old when the new arena opens.

My personal opinion, I really like their alternate font "OKC" look that is on their sunset uniforms. Would love to see more of that look.

I remember when someone on this site posted an advanced photo of a basketball with the Thunder name and logo and absolutely everyone thought it was a hoax. Sadly, it was not.

"Jeske, who joined the Echo group after working as chief commercial officer of the USL, has been in touch with U.S. Soccer to ensure that the planned stadium will meet whatever specifications are required for each level of soccer.

Building upon Oklahoma City’s support of women’s sports as the Softball Capital of the World, Jeske and his team have aspirations of bringing international women’s soccer to OKC."

Listed are the franchises in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - Angel City FC, Bay FC, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns, Racing Louisville, San Diego Wave, Seattle Reign, Utah Royals and Washington Spirit.

Let's get USL mens established in the new proposed 8,000-seat MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium and then look at obtaining a NWSL franchise.

Also, I'll say this again, go ahead and build a 20,000 seat stadium (MLS specs) with a 12,000 seat lower bowl with an 8,000 seat upper deck. The multipurpose stadium could be used State H.S. playoffs in a number of classes - 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A -- OKC's central location should make for easy access to the stadium.

Energy FC, already under new ownership and soon to have a new stadium, could reemerge under a different name.

Is it time for a name change--what are your thoughts . . .

I actually like Energy FC, but I'd kind of like to see something like OKCFC or FCOKC.

I don't care what they call it. I want a team playing soccer in OKC. That brand and name ain't got nothin' to do with a team playing here. Somewhere.

https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stadium030221l.jpg

The above 20,000-seat expanded version of the Maps 4 - Multipurpose Stadium would make OKC ready for the next level. Some of those 36 teams have already moved to Major League Soccer (MLS). The stadium could also be used for State High Schools' championships for various classes in football and soccer.

^^^^^
Looks great. But, I really want soccer being played ASAP.

^^^^^
Looks great. But, I really want soccer being played ASAP.

The only options right now outside of 13,000 seat Bricktown Ballpark would be:


Capacity - 6,860 - Putnam City Pirate Stadium, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 6,803 - Moses F. Miller Stadium, Douglass High School, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 6,000 - Millers Stadium, Yukon
Capacity - 5,000 - Husky Stadium, Edmond
Capacity - 4,500 - Eagles Stadium, Del City
Capacity - 4,000 - Mustang High School Stadium
Capacity - 4,000 - Edmond Memorial Stadium, Edmond
Capacity - 4,000 - Jim Thorpe Stadium, Shawnee
Capacity - 3,822 - Carl Albert Titans Football Field, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 3,558 - Putnam City West Patriots Stadium, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 3,600 - C. B. Speegle Stadium, Capitol Hill
Capacity - 3,105 Moore High School Stadium, Moore



BTW: Capacity - 12,000 Chad Rickison Stadium, UCO campus is not equipped for soccer.

Metro Oklahoma City area stadiums: https://stadiumconnection.com/ok/region_index.php?region=3

.

But all these stadiums do not have the right field size ! It has been the issue for soccer in OKC for years and the reason the Energy has to be on hold.
All of the football field in the USA are too narrow for soccer. As a consequence tracks around are not the same as international regulations. The straights are too long and the turn too narrow.

But all these stadiums do not have the right field size ! It has been the issue for soccer in OKC for years and the reason the Energy has to be on hold.
All of the football field in the USA are too narrow for soccer. As a consequence tracks around are not the same as international regulations. The straights are too long and the turn too narrow.

According to the link, it says if its equipped for soccer. Energy FC has played this stadium game for far too long.

I was surprise that UCO's Chad Richison Stadium was not equipped for soccer. Each stadium says whether or not its equipped for soccer. Link: https://stadiumconnection.com/ok/region_index.php?region=3

According to the link, it says if its equipped for soccer. I was surprise that UCO's Chad Richison Stadium was not equipped for soccer. Each stadium says whether or not its equipped for soccer. Link: https://stadiumconnection.com/ok/region_index.php?region=3

Fwiw the varsity soccer clubs of NHS play at a soccer complex a few miles from the campus. North also has a field of their own. There is no soccer being played at The Harve

Fwiw the varsity soccer clubs of NHS play at a soccer complex a few miles from the campus. North also has a field of their own. There is no soccer being played at The Harve

Caught that error on The Harve--edit - You are correct--its not equipped for soccer.

The only options right now outside of 13,000 seat Bricktown Ballpark would be:


Capacity - 6,860 - Putnam City Pirate Stadium, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 6,803 - Moses F. Miller Stadium, Douglass High School, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 6,000 - Millers Stadium, Yukon
Capacity - 5,000 - Husky Stadium, Edmond
Capacity - 4,500 - Eagles Stadium, Del City
Capacity - 4,000 - Mustang High School Stadium
Capacity - 4,000 - Edmond Memorial Stadium, Edmond
Capacity - 4,000 - Jim Thorpe Stadium, Shawnee
Capacity - 3,822 - Carl Albert Titans Football Field, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 3,558 - Putnam City West Patriots Stadium, Oklahoma City
Capacity - 3,600 - C. B. Speegle Stadium, Capitol Hill
Capacity - 3,105 Moore High School Stadium, Moore



BTW: Capacity - 12,000 Chad Rickison Stadium, UCO campus is not equipped for soccer.

Metro Oklahoma City area stadiums: https://stadiumconnection.com/ok/region_index.php?region=3

.

no the option is to spend 5 mil or so on a temp stadium ...

no the option is to spend 5 mil or so on a temp stadium ...

Who has $5 million to spend on a temporary stadium... Doubt if Echo paid $5 million for the USL franchise rights?

We won't likely see any USL soccer in OKC until the MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium is completed in 2027.

Who has $5 million to spend on a temporary stadium... Doubt if Echo paid $5 million for the USL franchise rights?

We won't likely see any USL soccer in OKC until the MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium is completed in 2027.

usl championship expansion fees are currently 20 mil

usl championship expansion fees are currently 20 mil
IIRC (Energy FC) built a nice training facility near N.E. 63rd.

Many of us are hungry for soccer's return; looks like that won't happen until 2027.

Kanady sounds ambitious:

On the Stadium District thread there's mention of a $ billion stadium development. Hope (won't hold my breath) that comes to fruition.

Surely John Crain field at OU would be sufficient as an interim home. I can't find definite dimensions but it certainly appears to meet USL requirements.

no the option is to spend 5 mil or so on a temp stadium ...

And they could just build that temp stadium beside the location of the future new stadium. But, its probably not going to happen.

The Thunder branding is well worse than many high schools.

I think this is what happens when you have so many owners and chefs in the kitchen and then insist on using a local firm like Ackerman McQueen.

To be fair, I got to see at least 10 designs that AM proposed to them and the one the thunder chose was the worst of all of them. I think even AM was surprised.

To be fair, I got to see at least 10 designs that AM proposed to them and the one the thunder chose was the worst of all of them. I think even AM was surprised.

When you have so many involved you get the least common denominator. And, there is no assurance that because you have money or position that you have taste or marketing chops.
I was in the business for a very long time and when boards made the choices it was usually a watered down or populist style that was chosen. Everyone thinks branding is opinion, but it is a science, and having an opinion isn't the same as taste or talent.

To be fair, I got to see at least 10 designs that AM proposed to them and the one the thunder chose was the worst of all of them. I think even AM was surprised.

We need someone to leak the other designs!

I found the old Oklahoman story where it was discussed.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2008/09/02/thunder-logo/60988616007/

We need someone to leak the other designs!

I have never heard anyone say...say...a bad word about the Thunder logo and brand besides locals. And then it is maybe on local sports talk radio, or social media. I have never heard anything on any gamecast or national NBA related broadcast. Never.

I gotta think the Thunder brand and logo is number 200 on the top 100 things for the Thunder organization to deal with.

But all these stadiums do not have the right field size ! It has been the issue for soccer in OKC for years and the reason the Energy has to be on hold.
All of the football field in the USA are too narrow for soccer. As a consequence tracks around are not the same as international regulations. The straights are too long and the turn too narrow.

It seems bizarre that tier 3 or 4 soccer leagues chose international width as the hill to die on, when there is a plethora of field they could play on that are long enough but a bit narrow, with expanding to where teams usually stand probably could get to around 90% of international standard.

I have never heard anyone say...say...a bad word about the Thunder logo and brand besides locals. And then it is maybe on local sports talk radio, or social media. I have never heard anything on any gamecast or national NBA related broadcast. Never.

I gotta think the Thunder brand and logo is number 200 on the top 100 things for the Thunder organization to deal with.

Whenever national commentators discuss logos/branding, OKC is universally at the bottom. For example, Zack Lowe ranked all thirty NBA logos and OKC's was dead last (https://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-definitive-nba-logo-rankings/). Here's what he said:


Like, what is this? Thunder higher-ups hoped fans would think of two things when they heard the name — storms and rampaging bison — but they didn’t want to commit visually in either direction. A stormy logo might marginalize the bison, a key symbol for local Native Americans, and the staid Thunder thought it would be silly to have mature adults wear jerseys with animals on them. “We didn’t feel like having professional players represented by [an] animal was where we wanted to be,” says Brian Byrnes, the team’s senior vice-president for sales and marketing. Besides, Byrnes says, “the bull was already taken.”

Straddling the fence resulted in this vanilla mishmash. “It might be the best D-League logo ever made,” says Tom O’Grady, who served as the NBA’s first creative director before leaving to found Gameplan Creative, a Chicago-based branding consultancy. Team officials say the shield hints at a leader charging into battle, and that the upward rising “bolts,” which don’t look like bolts at all, symbolize a young franchise growing up.

No team has worse art, top to bottom, and Nike will push for an overhaul once it replaces Adidas as the league’s apparel partner in 2017. Nike and the Thunder are already talking, and the Thunder “haven’t ruled out” a more explicit weather-related secondary mark, Byrnes says.

Bad news: Oklahoma City seems locked into the shield motif and likely won’t replace it with a bison — or anything else. “To some extent, we are committed to the idea we have,” Byrnes says. “But we would not dismiss good feedback, particularly from Nike. We’re open to modernizing the logo, but we don’t have an appetite to overhaul it.”

OKCBISONThey already have plenty of nice bison illustrations, courtesy of Dick Sakahara, a California designer who consulted with the Thunder during the team’s creation.

“I have a lot of bison that never got to be,” Sakahara says.

The Thunder logo is the worst professional logo I've ever seen except for the OKC Blue logo. They should change both of them. Is the world going to end if they don't? No. Does it reflect bad on the city? Yeah, a little bit.

Whenever national commentators discuss logos/branding, OKC is universally at the bottom. For example, Zack Lowe ranked all thirty NBA logos and OKC's was dead last (https://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-definitive-nba-logo-rankings/). Here's what he said:



The Thunder logo is the worst professional logo I've ever seen except for the OKC Blue logo. They should change both of them. Is the world going to end if they don't? No. Does it reflect bad on the city? Yeah, a little bit.

A 2015 Grantland article that has the Clippers number 29, the Pistons 28 and the Knicks 26 is your source?

It really all started with the name. Not sure who thought it was good idea to name the team after a sound. That would be a challenge in a game of pictionary.

A 2015 Grantland article that has the Clippers number 29, the Pistons 28 and the Knicks 26 is your source?

Yes, from literally the most respected NBA writer. The point is that it’s incorrect that the disdain for OKC’s logo and branding is not just local; It’s unanimous. You’re welcome to find another source that doesn’t have OKC last, but they’d be the exception.

Whenever national commentators discuss logos/branding, OKC is universally at the bottom. For example, Zack Lowe ranked all thirty NBA logos and OKC's was dead last (https://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-definitive-nba-logo-rankings/). Here's what he said:



The Thunder logo is the worst professional logo I've ever seen except for the OKC Blue logo. They should change both of them. Is the world going to end if they don't? No. Does it reflect bad on the city? Yeah, a little bit.
I didnt realize Zach Lowe is a marketing and design communications expert… i thought he is a sports writer.

The number 1 or 2 most iconic team in NBA history plays in Los Angeles and is named for Minnesota’s “Land of 10,000 Lakes”; an NBA team has for about 40 years played in Salt Lake City Utah, and is named for New Orleans Jazz music; another team that plays in Memphis Tennessee is named for Grizzly bears from the Pacific Northwest area in Canada.