I didnt realize Zach Lowe is a marketing and design communications expert… i thought he is a sports writer.

Y'all keep moving the goal posts. The original premise was that people outside of OKC didn't think the Thunder logo and branding was bad. I provided an example from the most influential writer on the NBA. Now, you're demanding "a marketing and design communications expert." First, public perception matters. That's the point. Expert opinion is not the only opinion. Second, I guarantee you all the experts agree too. But you can use the internet too instead of just adding snarky comments without any supporting evidence. You're not added anything to the discussion.

Y'all keep moving the goal posts. The original premise was that people outside of OKC didn't think the Thunder logo and branding was bad. I provided an example from the most influential writer on the NBA. Now, you're demanding "a marketing and design communications expert." First, public perception matters. That's the point. Expert opinion is not the only opinion. Second, I guarantee you all the experts agree too. But you can use the internet too instead of just adding snarky comments without any supporting evidence. You're not added anything to the discussion.

I will suggest the story you linked is the basis of my argument. It is a puff-piece used to fulfill the writer's NBA article count during the deadest period in the NBA year. July 2015 was the period after the playoffs and draft, with no Olympics.

The Detroit Pistons logo that is #28 in the Grantland article is the same item that is all over the court and warm ups on the Bad Boys documentary playing on my TV. The Knicks logo is #26. Nobody is realistically suggesting those logos are an embarrassment that should be changed.

I do not believe that the Thunder brand and logo is harming the Oklahoma City standing on the world stage, the Thunder image within the NBA organization, the Thunder revenue stream, or the Thunder ability to win games.

First you didn't like the logo; now you don't like the patch--what's next, the new arena.

It's really time to move on past the logo and patch. I'm glad we have an NBA franchise that represents OKC and Oklahoma.

Thank you to The Professional Basketball Club, LLC; a new day is coming. Forgive me for getting off topic.

First you didn't like the logo; now you don't like the patch--what's next, the new arena.

It's really time to move on past the logo and patch. I'm glad we have an NBA franchise that represents OKC and Oklahoma.

Thank you to The Professional Basketball Club, LLC; a new day is coming. Forgive me for getting off topic.

The branding is arguably the worst in professional sports internationally. Would you suck a dick that had herpes on it for the love of the game? Thats basically what you are saying you would do lol.

^ ^ ^

The branding arguably is the worst in the NBA; not international professional sports. The example you gave about what you would suck or wouldn't suck--that IMO sucks.

How did we get this far off OKC Energy FC into a conversation about the NBA and OMG male penile satisfaction.

Let's get back on topic to USL OKC Energy FC.

The branding arguably is the worst in the NBA; not internal professional sports. The example you gave about what you would suck or wouldn't suck--that IMO sucks.

How did we get this far off OKC Energy FC into a conversation about the NBA and male solo self-satisfaction.

Just because you are unwilling to engage with the hypothetical concept does not make it irrelevant.

Just because you are unwilling to engage with the hypothetical concept does not make it irrelevant.

Hahahaha... ...Citywokchinesefood--this is the best laugh I've had this month.

You're right--OMG, I can't stop laughing. I'm not going to engage in sword swallowing--figuratively or literally.

FWIW: I understand the passion some posters have about the team branding--it's real.

https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stadium030221l.jpg
Propel Oklahoma City to the next level: MLS exceeding 20,000 seats.

Y'all keep moving the goal posts. The original premise was that people outside of OKC didn't think the Thunder logo and branding was bad. I provided an example from the most influential writer on the NBA. Now, you're demanding "a marketing and design communications expert." First, public perception matters. That's the point. Expert opinion is not the only opinion. Second, I guarantee you all the experts agree too. But you can use the internet too instead of just adding snarky comments without any supporting evidence. You're not added anything to the discussion.
Who says Zach Lowe represents the public. He represents HIS opinion. Secondly, to be really credible, you need to be an expert in the field you are judging. Again, opinion isnt fact.

Who says Zach Lowe represents the public. He represents HIS opinion. Secondly, to be really credible, you need to be an expert in the field you are judging. Again, opinion isnt fact.

When the logo came out…it was widely ridiculed across the board throughout sports media. I remember well because I followed the situation in Seattle from the minute they bought the team and spent a ton of time reading about the team after the logo reveal. People have gotten used to it and it’s become less prevalent but acting like people didn’t widely mock it, especially for the first few years, is either ignorance or denial. It is a crap, generic logo that we’ve all gotten used to…but that doesn’t make it better.

When the logo came out…it was widely ridiculed across the board throughout sports media. I remember well because I followed the situation in Seattle from the minute they bought the team and spent a ton of time reading about the team after the logo reveal. People have gotten used to it and it’s become less prevalent but acting like people didn’t widely mock it, especially for the first few years, is either ignorance or denial. It is a crap, generic logo that we’ve all gotten used to…but that doesn’t make it better.
When OKC was awarded a team the other cities with NBA teams also thought OKC was not worthy. They were critical of the whole situation. They tend to be a very cliquish group and are highly critical of small market teams. There are many NBA teams with objectively ugly logos and uniforms who get free passes because they are older teams in big cities.

They criticized the name Thunder, but love the Heat. No one criticizes the Lakers, though they are near the Ocean and not lakes. What is the history of Jazz in Salt Lake City? How many Grizzlies are in Memphis?

The Thunder need to keep doing what they are doing… shut out the noise and keep forcing their way into the old boys club. Old society rarely approves of new society. Thunder just needs to keep kicking down the door and waking right in.

When OKC was awarded a team the other cities with NBA teams also thought OKC was not worthy. They were critical of the whole situation. They tend to be a very cliquish group and are highly critical of small market teams. There are many NBA teams with objectively ugly logos and uniforms who get free passes because they are older teams in big cities.

They criticized the name Thunder, but love the Heat. No one criticizes the Lakers, though they are near the Ocean and not lakes. What is the history of Jazz in Salt Lake City? How many Grizzlies are in Memphis?

The Thunder need to keep doing what they are doing… shut out the noise and keep forcing their way into the old boys club. Old society rarely approves of new society. Thunder just needs to keep kicking down the door and waking right in.

Are you confused about the difference between the team name and the team logo? I am pretty sure everyone has accepted the team name. It has been around long enough that it has established itself with OKC and NBA fans. The logo however, is pretty ridiculous and laughable. It is a shield (?) with a basketball inside, okc initials, and 2 random horizontal lines. It looks like it was created by some clip art computer program in the early 2000s. There is no identifiable characteristic of the logo, that incorporates the team’s name whatsoever.

You can argue and say something like the LA Dodger logo is just an interlocking LA, but that team has a long history and plenty notoriety. It just seems like the Thunder went with the most unimaginative, safe and boring logo possible. Maybe with the opening of the new arena, they can also rebrand the logo.

Move to: New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf) https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=23849&page=49&p=1274534#post1274534

I didnt realize Zach Lowe is a marketing and design communications expert… i thought he is a sports writer.

Here you go, brother: https://www.jamesrobertwatson.com/thunderlogo.html

Of course, just about anyone with eyes would tell you it is not a big league calibre logo. It is giving a lot of windows 95 clip art vibes. Fortunately, the PBC knows that the club can’t show up at the new $1.5B arena with its existing logo.

Here you go, brother: https://www.jamesrobertwatson.com/thunderlogo.html

Of course, just about anyone with eyes would tell you it is not a big league calibre logo. It is giving a lot of windows 95 clip art vibes. Fortunately, the PBC knows that the club can’t show up at the new $1.5B arena with its existing logo.

We have this argument on OKC Talk every year, and someone throws out the James Robert Watson link, and, maybe, 1 or 2 other Bar Stool type stories. They are all about 10 years old. But, they are what I asked for, and they were produced, Thanks for those.

Remember, however, that a group of good and true Americans got together in Detroit around the millennium, and decided the Pistons "Round Ball One" logo was boring tired and unimaginative, A few months later the committee gave us the "Flaming Horse Logo". Replete with purple and teal accents.

Never Forget.

We have this argument on OKC Talk every year, and someone throws out the James Robert Watson link, and, maybe, 1 or 2 other Bar Stool type stories. They are all about 10 years old. But, they are what I asked for, and they were produced, Thanks for those.

Remember, however, that a group of good and true Americans got together in Detroit around the millennium, and decided the Pistons "Round Ball One" logo was boring tired and unimaginative, A few months later the committee gave us the "Flaming Horse Logo". Replete with purple and teal accents.

Never Forget.
I love message board experts. Lol. They are never wrong.

We have this argument on OKC Talk every year, and someone throws out the James Robert Watson link, and, maybe, 1 or 2 other Bar Stool type stories. They are all about 10 years old. But, they are what I asked for, and they were produced, Thanks for those.

Remember, however, that a group of good and true Americans got together in Detroit around the millennium, and decided the Pistons "Round Ball One" logo was boring tired and unimaginative, A few months later the committee gave us the "Flaming Horse Logo". Replete with purple and teal accents.

Never Forget.

I think these were the same people who decided the NY Islanders logo was old and tired, and then decided that young people would LOVE to wear a jersey with that had an old man on it with gray hair, holding a hockey stick while wearing a rain slicker.

I think these were the same people who decided the NY Islanders logo was old and tired, and then decided that young people would LOVE to wear a jersey with that had an old man on it with gray hair, holding a hockey stick while wearing a rain slicker.

I always kinda wondered if Gorton's Fish put some money in that?

^ ^ ^

The branding arguably is the worst in the NBA; not international professional sports. The example you gave about what you would suck or wouldn't suck--that IMO sucks.

How did we get this far off OKC Energy FC into a conversation about the NBA and OMG male penile satisfaction.

Let's get back on topic to USL OKC Energy FC.

It is using a very extreme example that applies in a similar way. I will admit it is crass and will not follow up on it further. My original point still stands about the branding being that bad lol. On to our almost pro soccer team!

It is using a very extreme example that applies in a similar way. I will admit it is crass and will not follow up on it further. My original point still stands about the branding being that bad lol. On to our almost pro soccer team!

Hey dude, it's all good. Enjoyed the laughter. You put me in a turbulent tail spend.

Would like to see some brand of soccer--USL or MLS in OKC in 2028 with the coming of the
LA28 Olympics and the completion of the $1 billion downtown arena.

Have mentioned this before, but if OKC plays its cards perfectly, I still think MLS and/or NWSL is far and away the most likely "Big League" opportunity remaining for the city. MLS will probably add 10 more teams and NWSL will probably add 15 more before all is said and done. Would assume it could take as many as 20 years for both of those leagues to finish up their respective expansion processes.

Have mentioned this before, but if OKC plays its cards perfectly, I still think MLS and/or NWSL is far and away the most likely "Big League" opportunity remaining for the city. MLS will probably add 10 more teams and NWSL will probably add 15 more before all is said and done. Would assume it could take as many as 20 years for both of those leagues to finish up their respective expansion processes.

I think MLS is already overcommitted. Hard core speculators have been on the MLS bandwagon for over 20 years.

Regarding NWSL....I think OKC has a real chance to be big in women's sports. I think OU softball (and, to a lesser degree, gymnastics) gives OKC a leg up on the women's sports market overall. Our conservative, Southern state LOVES girls playing sports, and our families put the support out there every week. Translate that that into the love of the adults, and we are golden.

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

.

All of those stadiums have tracks which is the same problem at Taft, the pitch is too narrow. Plus take out any stadium under 5,000. That is the minimum required by the USL.

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.

Insufficient capacity. Need at least 5,000.

UCO’s stadium is both wide enough and has the capacity. Not sure why they didn’t go with that option (maybe UCO wouldn’t lease it to them, no idea).

UCO’s stadium is both wide enough and has the capacity. Not sure why they didn’t go with that option (maybe UCO wouldn’t lease it to them, no idea).

Probably didn’t want to lease it to them. Plus watching a match with gridiron lines all over the place is annoying and a distraction.

Probably didn’t want to lease it to them. Plus watching a match with gridiron lines all over the place is annoying and a distraction.

More annoying than just not playing for an indefinite period of time?

What was their average home attendance the last year they played?

What was their average home attendance the last year they played?

About 4,000 pre-covid. They could make a stadium with a compacity of 4,000 work on a temporary basis. Since the league knows a new stadium is in the works, they may waive that 5,000 requirement.

Drawing the line at 5k and get 0 revenue for the next few years just sounds like a dumb business decision for all parties involved.

What was their average home attendance the last year they played?


2,265

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_OKC_Energy_FC_season

2,265

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_OKC_Energy_FC_season

Yeah, I don't count 2021. That was a covid year. 2019 was the last 'normal' year.

Yeah, I don't count 2021. That was a covid year. 2019 was the last 'normal' year.


The average attendance for the Oklahoma City Energy FC in 2019 was 4,442

I am glad that Funk Jr. sold the majority of the rights to the franchise. The fact they made no effort to play at any other local facility is not a great look. I only went to a couple games a year, so I guess I am part of the problem. It felt like the team was reasonably well supported for a minor league.

2,265

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_OKC_Energy_FC_season

21st out of 30

I was a huge Energy fan while I lived in OKC. Always had fun, and went to a bunch of games. That being said, attendance was never very good.

It's really hard to create a new team and build true fandom in a city. Especially a sport that isn't deeply popular in the city/state.

It's obvious that the new ownership will need to roll out a name change and build their own brand.

Waiting on a new stadium may have its advantages.

I wonder what impact a potential rebrand would have on OEFC (Oklahoma Energy Football Club)? It is far and away the largest youth soccer club in the state. And has piggybacked on the Energy branding and color scheme. I suppose they could change with the times too. But the existing club has ingrained recognition around the state. Seems it would be weird to continue on with the Energy theme if the team were no more. Maybe not though, certainly hasn't had any negative effect the last three years.

I wonder what impact a potential rebrand would have on OEFC (Oklahoma Energy Football Club)? It is far and away the largest youth soccer club in the state. And has piggybacked on the Energy branding and color scheme. I suppose they could change with the times too. But the existing club has ingrained recognition around the state. Seems it would be weird to continue on with the Energy theme if the team were no more. Maybe not though, certainly hasn't had any negative effect the last three years.

they didn't just piggy back ... they are and always have been fully connected ..

https://x.com/energyfc/status/1861450612233077095

RUSSELL WESTBROOK JOINS OKC FOR SOCCER, INVESTS IN THE FUTURE OF SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY

https://www.energyfc.com/news_article/show/1324729

This is so cool!! Way to go RW!!!

Go ahead and get his statue ready for the new basketball arena. Legend status.

Any statue of Westbrook better have him screaming and flexing, I will also accept either pounding his chest with one hand and leering or making a happy face and rocking the baby.

That is genuinely exciting.

Any statue of Westbrook better have him screaming and flexing, I will also accept either pounding his chest with one hand and leering or making a happy face and rocking the baby.

Great idea for Westbrook statue being caught up in the moment; it would also be a time to retire Westbrook's jersey in 2025-26 season. Only one jersey IIRC #4 Nick Collison has been retired.

Great idea for Westbrook statue being caught up in the moment; it would also be a time to retire Westbrook's jersey in 2025-26 season. Only one jersey IIRC #4 Nick Collison has been retired.

Tough to retire a jersey when the player is still playing. He will probably sign a one day contract and retire with the thunder when the day comes but I don’t see him doing that for at least 2-3 more seasons. He’s still playing 25 minutes a game ripping off 20+ point performances and triple doubles. Doesn’t have the look of someone on the verge of retirement.

Any statue of Westbrook better have him screaming and flexing, I will also accept either pounding his chest with one hand and leering or making a happy face and rocking the baby.

This celebration pose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyLHuVwJUkc

I like the flipshot idea, but also the jumping fist pump after the iconic Nuggets game winner on the day he breaks Oscar's record. Or keep it more broad with his 'rocking the baby' emote.

Any of those would go hard.

This celebration pose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyLHuVwJUkc

Thanks for the memories, great Thunder moments--seeing Westbrook playing against L.A. and Kobe Bryant. And the crowd all clad in Thunder blue;' reminiscent of 'Loud City,' -- OKC's and Oklahoma's step into the Big Leagues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t_GfCLmM7M
Notice the crowd in Thunder Alley; longer version ^ of game 5.

Russ remains a legend.

Russ remains a legend.

Agree. I think if Russ had pushed his way out of town after KD left, we would have been labeled a podunk town that can't keep "real" players. Something that never would happen in Seattle.

Russ gave us incredible effort on a team that wasn't going to win a title, but it kept the eyes on us and made him a record setting legend.

Agree. I think if Russ had pushed his way out of town after KD left, we would have been labeled a podunk town that can't keep "real" players. Something that never would happen in Seattle.

Russ gave us incredible effort on a team that wasn't going to win a title, but it kept the eyes on us and made him a record setting legend.

One of the reasons some fans made in the case of the Supersonics remaining in Seattle vs. relocation to Oklahoma City was that OKC couldn't attract free agents;
also that NBA fans preferred Seattle as a destination over OKC--can't argue with that. However, Oklahoma City has supported the Thunder since 2007 (17 years); with
a new state-of-the-art $900 million downtown arena on the horizon.

It doesn't seem like nearly that many years

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/CPKC_Stadium%2C_2024.jpg/800px-CPKC_Stadium%2C_2024.jpg
CPKC STADIUM, Kansas City - seating capacity - 11,500




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsLbq_1NmNw


Broke ground, October 6, 2022
Opened March 16, 2024
Construction cost $117 million

We should be getting a bargain with our new MAPS 4 Multipurpose stadium - seating capacity - 12,300 - Construction cost $71 million.


https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/2019/08/12/NOKL/ghnewsok-OK-5638420-bcd22141.jpeg?width=660&height=349&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

Await the new renderings for our multipurpose stadium.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/CPKC_Stadium%2C_2024.jpg/800px-CPKC_Stadium%2C_2024.jpg
CPKC STADIUM, Kansas City - seating capacity - 11,500




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsLbq_1NmNw


Broke ground, October 6, 2022
Opened March 16, 2024
Construction cost $117 million

We should be getting a bargain with our new MAPS 4 Multipurpose stadium - seating capacity - 12,300 - Construction cost $71 million.


https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/2019/08/12/NOKL/ghnewsok-OK-5638420-bcd22141.jpeg?width=660&height=349&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

Await the new renderings for our multipurpose stadium. $71 million dollars is really not a lot of money compared to what KC invested in their stadium. Hopefully, it won't look cheap looking. The motto being, "you get what you pay for".

$71 million dollars is really not a lot of money compared to what KC invested in their stadium. Hopefully, it won't look cheap looking. The motto being, "you get what you pay for".

Louisville is a better comparison

$71 million dollars is really not a lot of money compared to what KC invested in their stadium. Hopefully, it won't look cheap looking. The motto being, "you get what you pay for".

What was land cost in KC?

That is a perfect looking stadium for 11,500 seats. I ll take the same in OKC.
Roofs over the crowd and steep stands ! Can’t ask for more !

As desperate as some of the construction companies are to obtain some of these contracts--wouldn't be surprised to see competitive bids result in a really
nice MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium. Wouldn't want OKC to repeat the mistake made when we built the original 19,300-seat downtown arena--with the seat
and cup holder debacle.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GcxHEJfWcAABXG6?format=jpg&name=small
12,300 represents the first two levels (60%) of this 20k stadium.

Just hope that by the time we get ready to build the stadium, the seating capacity increases from 12,300 to 20,000+ (Won't hold my breath).