Wow,

I'm taken aback right now sir. You are yours are in my prayers. Remember, "This too shall pass."

Thoughts with you, Laramie. Get healthy and back posting here.

OKC has grown a lot in more than just population, but studies suggest cities need a million people per pro sports team to be successful. MLB requires even more fans and that and OKC is already stretched then in terms of corporate partnerships. Add in the amount of support money that goes to college football in the area and I just don't see how the numbers add up. I don't see how a MLB would be doable without another million people in the metro. That could take quite a while. However, I think MLS would require less than that million number and is doable.

Laramie, I really enjoy your posts and wish you a full recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Laramie.

Wish for the future time to contribute to these posts. Just released from OU Medical Center; treatment for cancer, underwent a radical robotic prostatectomy. Hope & pray they were able to get the prostate removed before it spread to other areas of my body. Will know more from test results in about a month.

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/17/e9/1e/17e91e8df56858d09f0573c04c103701--jesus-hand-tattoo-jesus-fish-tattoos.jpg

Welcome your prayers...
Always in my Heart,
Laramie

Praying for you. You are a delight on this site.

Barring New Downtown Stadium, Columbus Crew Will Move to Austin in 2019

https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/10/16/columbus-crew-austin-texas-anthony-precourt-stadium?utm_campaign=sinow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_twitter_si

Also

https://deadspin.com/columbus-crew-welcome-to-the-stadium-extortion-racket-1819608903

Are there any updates on OKC's quest to attract an MLS team or has momentum spun out?

Are there any updates on OKC's quest to attract an MLS team or has momentum spun out?

What’s most likely to happen,

1. We build the stadium at Wheeler park for the energy
2a. A team in another markets fails and starts looking to relocate
2b. A team wants a new stadium and threatens to move, okc is named as a relocation candidate
3. A team relocates here.

4. Energy ownership is included in some future round of expansion once they have a top-flight ready stadium
5. MLS and USL merge to become MLS 1 and MLS 2 with some form of promotion and relegation. OKC starts in bottom division and has to work their way up.

4. Energy ownership is included in some future round of expansion once they have a top-flight ready stadium
5. MLS and USL merge to become MLS 1 and MLS 2 with some form of promotion and relegation. OKC starts in bottom division and has to work their way up.

4. I've read that MLS is pretty much done with expansion for a long time. They may purchase a bankrupt team, like if Cinnci fails, but pure expansion I've heard is pretty much done.
5. This may happen, but I wonder if TV networks would fight it. Lets say the NBA tried promotion and relegation. I think the TV networks would quickly say um hell no, that means the lakers are getting relegated. Too big of brands, eyeballs, and fans to be in lower league. Would TV networks really let the NY Redbulls or LA Galazy off the TV schedule and slip to a lower level in favor of OKC? That's losing a ton of eyeballs....

No way MLS owners would ever vote in favor of relegation.

5. Generally i agree, which is why it's bottom of the list of possibilities. I don't think it's totally-zero-absolutely-no chance, but the chances are incredibly small.

4. I think there's supposed to be one more round of expansion in the next 2-4 years where they want to add another 2 teams. I don't foresee OKC being ready to even make a bid at that point in time.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-announces-expansion-process-and-timeline

That's from over a year ago but i haven't seen anything to say that's not still the plan.

I think the best we can hope for here is that USL eventually is the unarguable second tier, and as the league continues to establish itself and grow, more money flows in and there's less of a drop-off in talent between MLS and USL.

i think the MLS will keep expansion going because of the expansion fees. Next year the 2 teams are paying $150 million each. Thats 300 million split btw the owners. Dont have to share that with anyone else.

Without a television contract this league is suspect to be sustainable.

5. Generally i agree, which is why it's bottom of the list of possibilities. I don't think it's totally-zero-absolutely-no chance, but the chances are incredibly small.

4. I think there's supposed to be one more round of expansion in the next 2-4 years where they want to add another 2 teams. I don't foresee OKC being ready to even make a bid at that point in time.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-announces-expansion-process-and-timeline

That's from over a year ago but i haven't seen anything to say that's not still the plan.

I think the best we can hope for here is that USL eventually is the unarguable second tier, and as the league continues to establish itself and grow, more money flows in and there's less of a drop-off in talent between MLS and USL.

Agreed. I tend to think it’s too much growth to fast for the mls and a team is bound to fail or be put up for sale and that’s when the energy group will have their chance to nab a team.

i think the MLS will keep expansion going because of the expansion fees. Next year the 2 teams are paying $150 million each. Thats 300 million split btw the owners. Dont have to share that with anyone else.

You might see the USL re-branded around 2020 as MLS-2.

Good point about expansion, OKCretro. How much expansion is too much; sounds fishy to me about expansion fee shared among existing franchises.

Our only group interested in expansion/relocation are the Funks.

Taft Stadium's remodel was great as a h.s. football venue; it fails to meet the minimum USSF-FIFA soccer specifications for USL. Funks are working on a stadium plan.

USL announced in 2015 a multi-year partnership with architecture, engineering & planning firm HOK with an eye toward housing all their clubs in soccer-specific stadiums by the end of the decade.

Oklahoma's two franchises (Energy FC/Roughnecks FC) have until 2020 to get some future financed venue plans developed.

You might see the USL re-branded around 2020 as MLS-2.

Good point about expansion, OKCretro. How much expansion is too much; sounds fishy to me about expansion fee shared among existing franchises.

Our only group interested in expansion/relocation are the Funks.

Taft Stadium's remodel was great as a h.s. football venue; it fails to meet the minimum USSF-FIFA soccer specifications for USL. Funks are working on a stadium plan.

USL announced in 2015 a multi-year partnership with architecture, engineering & planning firm HOK with an eye toward housing all their clubs in soccer-specific stadiums by the end of the decade.

Oklahoma's two franchises (Energy FC/Roughnecks FC) have until 2020 to get some future financed venue plans developed.
Maps4?

sounds fishy to me about expansion fee shared among existing franchises.

Someone correct me if i'm wrong here, but I believe MLS is a single entity. IE the league owns all the teams and the contracts on all the players, and the team 'owners' just own part of the league. So yeah, expansion fees to get in just get distributed to the existing owners.

Side note: MLS being a single entity and having 'all the power' is a major gripe of the pro/rel crowd in this country. USL I believe operates in the same way. NASL was a true collection of independently owned teams in a league. Well, that's not working out for them.

Not OKC related but still interesting

https://deadspin.com/anthony-precourt-moves-one-step-closer-to-pimping-out-t-1828374438

Someone correct me if i'm wrong here, but I believe MLS is a single entity. IE the league owns all the teams and the contracts on all the players, and the team 'owners' just own part of the league. So yeah, expansion fees to get in just get distributed to the existing owners.

Side note: MLS being a single entity and having 'all the power' is a major gripe of the pro/rel crowd in this country. USL I believe operates in the same way. NASL was a true collection of independently owned teams in a league. Well, that's not working out for them.

Only MLS is single entity. The USL operates a pure franchise model which is highly centralized and top-down in its execution. But the teams/clubs are still independently owned. Often NASL fans think of the USL and MLS as one in the same, but the two leagues differ greatly and should the USL continue its growth and sustainability I see the USL competing with the MLS. Hopefully the USL realizes that a single entity operation and a closed system actually stunts growth for professional soccer in the US and implements Pro/Rel once USL D3 is up and running.

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/953025


This could be interesting.

lol. 'The new brand and logos...are innovative...refuse to let others define us'

Maybe by innovative he meant an exact copy of England.

I'm not a pro/rel activist, but honestly, enough with the crap. Unless you are introducing that aspect of the international game, get out of here with stuff like 'The USL will now be modeled after a tried and respected international structure.' Not really pal.

Oklahoma City recent approval of a $978 million MAPS 4 initiative which includes $37 million for a 10,000-seat multipurpose stadium will solidify that the USL remains in OKC beyond 2020.

https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Proposed-OKC-Energy-Stadium-1024x563.jpg

As for the future of an Oklahoma City MLS franchise; the franchise fee is now $300 million; that's $50 million less than what our current NBA ownership group paid for the NBA Supersonics in 2006.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stadium080619h.jpg

Chances of OKC obtaining an MLS franchise have slightly improved with MAPS 4 passage; doubt if the current Energy FC ownership has the financial backing for an expansion franchise. Don't have any idea what might be available thru an existing franchise that might see potential in OKC for relocation.

To bring a 10,000 seat starter stadium up to MLS specs (20,000 seats); the city would need an additional $50 million minimum to accomplish that goal.

So, what order will the stadium be built in relation to other MAPS projects? If they wait til 2026 or do it 2021 could matter.

So, what order will the stadium be built in relation to other MAPS projects? If they wait til 2026 or do it 2021 could matter.

USL said have a plan in place by 2020; not only will we have a plan, we now have the finance mechanism. Energy FC ownership should survive til then. Doubt if USL will put any more pressure on OKC to build a stadium.

MAPS penny sales tax generates $10 million a year; you'll probably see ground broken in September 2020 ($50 million collections) before the 1st MAPS 4 project(s) are constructed.

Stadium & coliseum construction (projects 1-4) infrastructure probably won't start until September 2020. That's why city owned State Fair Park (440 aces) looks more plausible site to build the coliseum & stadium simultaneously.

Let's not do that convention center thing where we make it first on the list but it's nearly the last thing actually getting done.

Hopefully 2026. A lot of other projects that are far more important.

USL said have a plan in place by 2020; not only will we have a plan, we now have the finance mechanism. Energy FC ownership should survive til then. Doubt if USL will put any more pressure on OKC to build a stadium.

MAPS penny sales tax generates $10 million a year; you'll probably see ground broken in September 2020 ($50 million collections) before the 1st MAPS 4 project(s) are constructed.

Stadium & coliseum construction (projects 1-4) infrastructure probably won't start until September 2020. That's why city owned State Fair Park (440 aces) looks more plausible site to build the coliseum & stadium simultaneously.

maps make over 100 mil a year

also there is about a 0% chance that construction on any of these projects start in 2020

So, what order will the stadium be built in relation to other MAPS projects? If they wait til 2026 or do it 2021 could matter.

Just dropping a note here to predict that when the final plans for the soccer stadium are released, people are going to be up in arms because it's going to be far smaller and less impressive than they expected. There will be debates over the "original renderings" and people angry the taxpayers are paying for something that "doesn't even get us in contention for MSL." Perhaps there will be a reference to a really nice high school soccer stadium in Texas.

USL said have a plan in place by 2020; not only will we have a plan, we now have the finance mechanism. Energy FC ownership should survive til then. Doubt if USL will put any more pressure on OKC to build a stadium.

MAPS penny sales tax generates $10 million a year; you'll probably see ground broken in September 2020 ($50 million collections) before the 1st MAPS 4 project(s) are constructed.

Stadium & coliseum construction (projects 1-4) infrastructure probably won't start until September 2020. That's why city owned State Fair Park (440 aces) looks more plausible site to build the coliseum & stadium simultaneously.

I certainly hope the Fair Grounds will not be the site for the stadium.

Just dropping a note here to predict that when the final plans for the soccer stadium are released, people are going to be up in arms because it's going to be far smaller and less impressive than they expected. There will be debates over the "original renderings" and people angry the taxpayers are paying for something that "doesn't even get us in contention for MSL." Perhaps there will be a reference to a really nice high school soccer stadium in Texas.

And you are right, I honestly have no clue how they will deliver anything with only $37 million, and that is even if they get the land for free!

Just dropping a note here to predict that when the final plans for the soccer stadium are released, people are going to be up in arms because it's going to be far smaller and less impressive than they expected. There will be debates over the "original renderings" and people angry the taxpayers are paying for something that "doesn't even get us in contention for MSL." Perhaps there will be a reference to a really nice high school soccer stadium in Texas.
I neither work or live in the city and have zero interest in soccer. That being said is there a prohibition on Funk spending some of his cash to make the soccer, errr "multi use" stadium better than what the allocated tax payer funds will be able to construcr?

Just dropping a note here to predict that when the final plans for the soccer stadium are released, people are going to be up in arms because it's going to be far smaller and less impressive than they expected. There will be debates over the "original renderings" and people angry the taxpayers are paying for something that "doesn't even get us in contention for MSL." Perhaps there will be a reference to a really nice high school soccer stadium in Texas.

Correct. 37 mil. is not going to build anything that would even get a second look by the mls. It might build them a lobby. But it should be plenty enough for minor league soccer but it won't be anytyhing special at all. 37 mil just doesn't go far with todays stadiums. The Funks should be very happy they are getting a stadium. Maybe they would want to put in another 50 mil and build a decent minor league stadium.

I was reading an article on the new mls soccer stadium in St. Louis and it's over 400 mil. now

I would love for the Energy FC ownership group to throw in $50+ million to atleast make the thing look nice. Most importantly, the shade structures. They could even purchase the naming rights with there investment and call it Funk Stadium or something. I desperately want those shade structures included, and sadly the final plan went cheap.

Since so many on here were against any money for a multi-use stadium, why are so many upset that now it isn't going to be big and fancy?

By the way, Chesapeake Arena started as a bare bones facility, and look at it now. Just because it starts basic doesn't mean it has to end up basic. If there becomes interest by major league soccer, then we can arm wrestle the owner for more funds. No use to do it right now.

it would be awesome if the Energy did a match or something... 72 is still probably not ideal but could be better... might also have the side effect of folks feeling better about the 37M to begin with.

Since so many on here were against any money for a multi-use stadium, why are so many upset that now it isn't going to be big and fancy?

By the way, Chesapeake Arena started as a bare bones facility, and look at it now. Just because it starts basic doesn't mean it has to end up basic. If there becomes interest by major league soccer, then we can arm wrestle the owner for more funds. No use to do it right now.

From what I remember, there was a pretty good contingent of us that were for the stadium, but we wanted it to have more money being put into it. $37 mil is a joke. They should have bumped it up to something more like $150 mil. It clearly would have passed.

Go back and read some of mine, and other comments. Many weren't against this stadium, they just wanted it to be bigger and better right out of construction, rather than a certain size with the "promise" that it could be expanded and added onto. I've said from the onset of this, just make it similar to the college football stadium that Baylor built a few years ago, maybe a little scaled back, and you'd have an incredible facility.

From what I remember, there was a pretty good contingent of us that were for the stadium, but we wanted it to have more money being put into it. $37 mil is a joke. They should have bumped it up to something more like $150 mil. It clearly would have passed.

Go back and read some of mine, and other comments. Many weren't against this stadium, they just wanted it to be bigger and better right out of construction, rather than a certain size with the "promise" that it could be expanded and added onto. I've said from the onset of this, just make it similar to the college football stadium that Baylor built a few years ago, maybe a little scaled back, and you'd have an incredible facility.

You know that stadium cost Baylor 266 million, gonna have to scale that back more than a little bit.

The multipurpose stadium if constructed on city-owned land will allow Oklahoma City to have a 'starter' stadium--nothing fancy, again just the bare bones minimum to meet the USL regulations that will allow OKC to host U.S. Open Cup matches. Taft Stadium soccer field is only 67 yards wide, 3 yards short of the minimum USSF standard to host U.S. Open Cup matches.

Agree with Colbafone, "just make it similar to the college football stadium that Baylor built a few years ago, maybe a little scaled back, and you'd have an incredible facility. "

http://www.hellasconstruction.com/2014/08/baylor-bears-to-debut-new-mclane-stadium-on-matrix-turf/mclane-stadium.jpg
Build something similar to McLane Stadium, Waco without the upper decks, a smaller upper deck could be added later.

Have a feeling that more will be invested into the stadium once it's constructed and bidding on attractions.

The seating capacity will range from 8,000 - 12,000. Let's hope we can begin with nothing less than 10,000 seats on city own land like the riverfront--since this will be a city-owned facility, the city can build the infrastructure. OKC will eventually need nothing less than a 30k venue to compete for a variety of events.

papa murphys park cost 3 mil to build

it holds over 11k

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Murphy's_Park


we can build a very nice soccer stadium for 37 mil

You know that stadium cost Baylor 266 million, gonna have to scale that back more than a little bit.

Yes I do. And that's sort of my point. Their new stadium is gorgeous. It's huge. It's spacious. It has all the amenities you could want. And it "only" cost them $260 Mil. Imagine OKC coming to the MLS with a stadium very very similar to Baylor's, just toned down/scales back a bit. McLane Stadium seats 45k. I definitely thing for something between $150 and $200 mil we could build an incredible stadium seating something like 25-35k.

I'm just saying, the rendering of the $40 Mil stadium isn't bad, it's just underwhelming for a potential MLS stadium. If they would have just gone for the full thing right off the bat, I think this would have been a home run. I wish we could skip the entire "expandable" step and just go right to legitimate. It's clear it would have passed. What's $100 mil more to the near 70% that approved Maps 4?

papa murphys park cost 3 mil to build

it holds over 11k

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Murphy's_Park


we can build a very nice soccer stadium for 37 mil

Bro, I get what you are saying. But if THAT is the stadium we are getting with our maps money, I will be absolutely outraged. That looks like some ****ty high school football stadium out in Sallisaw.


Again, I'd much rather we go big or go home. To me, a $40 mil stadium is a borderline waste of money. It's just not enough to justify building a legit stadium. It's gotta start around $150 or so. Not that it matter now. All we can hope for its a great looking stater stadium and go from there.

It does seem like an actual BLC stadium would cost at least $150MM. Hopefully Funk chips in a few doll hairs to get us into that ballpark.

The stadium where the LA Chargers are currently playing was specifically built for Major League Soccer.

It holds 27K and was built about 15 years ago for $87MM.

37M divided by 3M is about 12 times. If we can get a stadium ~12x better than that 3M stadium, it would probably be acceptable. Very early days of Ford Center like. Would be even better if Funk would match.

The stadium where the LA Chargers are currently playing was specifically built for Major League Soccer.

It holds 27K and was built about 15 years ago for $87MM.

Which would make it something like $140 million today. That stadium is a pretty great quality soccer stadium.

For soccer I would rather have steeper, closer seats than what most football stadiums have. I personally like the seat design found at Audi Field where D.C. United play. I also hope they include safe standing seats behind the goals for supporter sections.

Very good point. Instead of wondering how shiny our stadium will be, we should discuss how we want it.
Low stand are an issue for a lot of stadium, just like at our lovely ballpark.
Hopefully, lot of places are starting to realize that.

https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/the-xfl-announced-which-8-cities-will-get-a-team-in-2020-10-photos-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=600
Owner, District of Columbia, Operator: D.C. United - Capacity, 20,000 - Construction cost $400 million – $500 million; Broke ground, February 27, 2017 - Opened July 9, 2018


For soccer I would rather have steeper, closer seats than what most football stadiums have. I personally like the seat design found at Audi Field where D.C. United play. I also hope they include safe standing seats behind the goals for supporter sections.

Great looking facility.

Alternative proposal: combine coliseum & multipurpose stadium:


Rodeo & Horse related events, soccer, American football, basketball & ice hockey.

https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-cbcab067d98882aa38ea766d37254985.jpg
https://1rntu844lwdp3cxp81l9i121-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/maps4/wp-content/uploads/sites/236/2019/11/stadium-tweet.jpg

Combine the $63 million for the coliseum with the $37 million for the multipurpose stadium and build a $140-$150 million + covered facility that could be used as a multipurpose dual facility for rodeo events, soccer, American football, basketball & add ice hockey. Remember, the coliseum gets the existing hotel-motel tax; meaning you're probably looking at a $150 million facility combined if its in the middle of the pack to be constructed.

Horse shoe shaped facility U could seat 25,000 for soccer & partition off half the facility to accommodate 8k - 14k for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey.

Surely we could come up with something where half the facility with portable risers--could be used for rodeo, horse show events, basketball & ice hockey and without rises used for soccer or American football. Meanwhile, you'd probably see more development (restaurant & retail) in the area near State Fair Park. Funk could build suites; control all or half the suites revenue.

Annual facility use would increase, you save the horse shows possibly opening up the potential to attract more events; help improve the SFP area by attracting restaurants & retail. City saves on infrastructure; plus a facility that will be used year round. Increased capacity = potential XFL franchise, return of 6A, 5A H.S. football championships.

Operating costs: Hotel & motel tax would increase with the combined added events--kill two birds with one stone.

The penny tax would bring in about $110 million per year; that equivalent to $9.2 million per month.

Go with grass turf or forget it.

Alternative proposal: combine coliseum & multipurpose stadium:


Rodeo & Horse related events, soccer, American football, basketball & ice hockey.

https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-cbcab067d98882aa38ea766d37254985.jpg
https://1rntu844lwdp3cxp81l9i121-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/maps4/wp-content/uploads/sites/236/2019/11/stadium-tweet.jpg

Combine the $63 million for the coliseum with the $37 million for the multipurpose stadium and build a $140-$150 million + covered facility that could be used as a multipurpose dual facility for rodeo events, soccer, American football, basketball & add ice hockey. Remember, the coliseum gets the existing hotel-motel tax; meaning you're probably looking at a $150 million facility combined if its in the middle of the pack to be constructed.

Horse shoe shaped facility U could seat 25,000 for soccer & partition off half the facility to accommodate 8k - 14k for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey.

Surely we could come up with something where half the facility with portable risers--could be used for rodeo, horse show events, basketball & ice hockey and without rises used for soccer or American football. Meanwhile, you'd probably see more development (restaurant & retail) in the area near State Fair Park. Funk could build suites; control all or half the suites revenue.

Annual facility use would increase, you save the horse shows possibly opening up the potential to attract more events; help improve the SFP area by attracting restaurants & retail. City saves on infrastructure; plus a facility that will be used year round. Increased capacity = potential XFL franchise, return of 6A, 5A H.S. football championships.

Operating costs: Hotel & motel tax would increase with the combined added events--kill two birds with one stone.

The penny tax would bring in about $110 million per year; that equivalent to $9.2 million per month.

Soccer field needs to be natural grass to attract good players. If you have ever watched an Atlanta United game on ESPN their field is trash. Also, I believe there are FIFA rules against indoor fields for certain sanctioned events. My reservation would be the way the State Fair board does business. I would want a lot of their dealings to be opened up.

No thank you. Bad idea to combine the facility. It is the best way to have unsatisfied people on both sides.
I am glad the Jim Norrick arena will be replaced, but I do not want the stadium in the Sate fair park.
Somewhere around downtown.
real grass needed too if we want to be a training camp for the 2026 world cup, and have a good soccer.

Yes, we have some of the world's best turf-grass minds in this State (at OSU) and we may as well allow them to install one of their finest hybrid cultivar Bermudas at Funk Field.

Yes, we have some of the world's best turf-grass minds in this State (at OSU) and we may as well allow them to install one of their finest hybrid cultivar Bermudas at Funk Field.

true they must be great they do such an amazing job with their own football field ..................... wait something in there isnt correct ...





fyi this is just a joke i am fully aware the the turf mgmt program at OSU is very top notch ( they provide a ton of the best golf course supers in the country) which does make it all the more strange that they dont have a grass football field

The combination of a stadium-coliseum (mini-dome) would attract more events than OKC could probably handle. As for the natural grass-turf issue--where are we on translucent clear stadium roofs. Again with risers & partitions--we could come up with something unique.

Haven't had a chance to do any research on the new innovative translucent clear stadium roofs; a mini dome 25,000 at State Fair Park would transform this area which has become one of concern for Oklahoma City.

I do understand location; do we want to place the stadium downtown, riverfront, city-own land?

Just wanted to suggest something where we could combine 2 venues into one (allow for growth); also aware of the fact that SFP is equipped to handle the rodeo type events, trailers, u-hauls and equipment associated with rodeo related events.

Strange: The MAPS 4 multiple-use stadium has now become a topic of--why didn't we push for more funding, make it bigger, beautiful--funny how conversations evolve. . .

true they must be great they do such an amazing job with their own football field ..................... wait something in there isnt correct ...





fyi this is just a joke i am fully aware the the turf mgmt program at OSU is very top notch ( they provide a ton of the best golf course supers in the country) which does make it all the more strange that they dont have a grass football field

I have heard the east-west orientation causes areas in the field to not receive any direct sunlight during portions of the year. I have no idea if that is the actual reason for keeping the turf.

OU is currently playing on latitude 36 burmudagrass which was developed at OSU. they do seem to know what they are doing up there.

I would think OSU has the money for grow lights like you see in the Premier League stadiums.