There has been some faint chatter about OKC pitching this complex for the LA28 Olympics.

This change may be a part of that.

There has been some faint chatter about OKC pitching this complex for the LA28 Olympics.

This change may be a part of that.

It makes a ton of sense in every way but proximity. Would be very cool and well attended/supported if it happened.

Oh man, that would be a huge get

Any details on what Devon is planning to do for the stadium? Or was the photo a concept? Saw somewhere else that a multi-million renovation was planned, interesting considering OKC finished the second deck and related upgrades just a few years ago. Maybe dedicated locker/dressing rooms?

Sounds like a good excuse for further upgrades to the Softball Hall of Fame complex if it happens. And maybe even if it doesn't with the new Devon partnership.

^

The rendering only shows new signage and a slightly reworked main entrance with some LED lighting.

OKC owns the complex and the only way previous improvements have been made has been through bond issues.

Remember, OG&E still owns the naming rights for the field, so this will just be more income for the facility.

There has been some faint chatter about OKC pitching this complex for the LA28 Olympics.

This change may be a part of that.

I've heard the same rumors and this makes me wonder if Devon knows more than the rest of us and is getting in before the announcement.

There has been some faint chatter about OKC pitching this complex for the LA28 Olympics.

This change may be a part of that.

excpet IIRC no corporate names are allowed on any Olympic venue unless that corporate sponsor is also and Olympic sponsor ..

I've heard the same rumors and this makes me wonder if Devon knows more than the rest of us and is getting in before the announcement.

this deal has NOTHING to do with possible Olympics a this site ..

excpet IIRC no corporate names are allowed on any Olympic venue unless that corporate sponsor is also and Olympic sponsor ..

How do previously named venues like Crypto.com Arena and SoFi Stadium handle that?

excpet IIRC no corporate names are allowed on any Olympic venue unless that corporate sponsor is also and Olympic sponsor ..

That's absolutely not true.

Many of the LA28 venues have existing corporate sponsors : SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Honda Center, Staples Center, BMO Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, Dignity Health Sports Park, Kia Forum, on and on.

It may be true of the facilities built with Olympic dollars, but those are fewer and fewer and are of the smaller variety.

That's absolutely not true.

Many of the LA28 venues have existing corporate sponsors : SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Honda Center, Staples Center, BMO Stadium, Crypto.com Arena, Dignity Health Sports Park, Kia Forum, on and on.

It may be true of the facilities built with Olympic dollars, but those are fewer and fewer and are of the smaller variety.

https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/o2-arena-forced-olympic-rebrand-following-sponsor-clash/941349

long time olypmic committee rule


2028 the United Airlines Memorial Coliseum name might not be used at all ..


https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/united-airlines-paid-millions-to-put-its-name-on-this-stadium-but-heres-fine-print.html

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/06/NOKL/73587089007-img-2729.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp


Oklahoman, May 6, 2024


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cBdxfKvzxg

https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/o2-arena-forced-olympic-rebrand-following-sponsor-clash/941349

long time olypmic committee rule

You said no corporate names are allowed on Olympic Venues. That rule just says they don't use that name for the duration of the games, all of 2 weeks.

You said no corporate names are allowed on Olympic Venues. That rule just says they don't use that name for the duration of the games, all of 2 weeks.

right as in the name is covered up like it was for O2 and not used at all in any broadcast or on TV or an offical olympic media print or release

this deal has NOTHING to do with possible Olympics a this site ..

You can capitalize words all you want. That doesn't make it true.

You can capitalize words all you want. That doesn't make it true.

lol

You can capitalize words all you want. That doesn't make it true.

Yes, you must use italics!

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


Austin Regional – Austin, Texas
No. 1 seed Texas* (47-7) vs. Siena (33-20)
Northwestern (33-11) vs. Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) (40-12)

Norman Regional – Norman, Oklahoma
No. 2 seed Oklahoma* (49-6) vs. Cleveland State (22-24)
Oregon (28-19) vs. Boston University (52-4-1)

Stillwater Regional – Stillwater, Oklahoma
No. 5 seed Oklahoma State* (44-10) vs. Northern Colorado (27- 24)
Kentucky (30-22) vs. Michigan (41-16)

NCAA Division I Softball Committee announces 2024 championship field: https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2024-05-12/ncaa-division-i-softball-committee-announces-2024-championship-field

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/06/NOKL/73587091007-img-2727.jpg?width=1320&height=990&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp
,

.


Women’s College World Series field set: Who are the 8 teams alive for national title?


https://64.media.tumblr.com/e8606560456d416c8260b113a861046c/a6dceed9f6f1eb9e-1c/s1280x1920/9156dd2fb0d02c5ca8efc94f8547187ab5090415.jpg
Via OKCTalk.com




Thursday, May 30,
UCLA versus Alabama (Noon) - ESPN
Oklahoma vs. Duke (2:30 p.m.) - ESPN
Texas vs. Stanford (7 p.m.) - ESPN2
Florida vs. Oklahoma State (9:30 p.m.) - ESPN2


Source link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5521122/2024/05/26/womens-college-world-series-field/?redirected=1



.

https://www.theemblemsource.com/cdn/shop/files/7-114389-EMB-WCWSNCAA2024WomensSoftballCollegeWorldSeries_850x. jpg?v=1714499830

UCLA 4 vs Alabama 1 - Attendance: N/A
Oklahoma 9 vs. Duke 1 - 6 - Inning R/R Attendance : 12,445

Texas 4 vs Stanford 0
Florida 1 vs Oklahoma State 0 Attendance: 12,566

Game 5: Alabama vs. Duke, 6 p.m. | Elimination game | ESPN
Game 6: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State, 8:30 p.m. | Elimination Game | ESPN

Impressive attendance so far at the 2024 WCWS. Oklahoma City needs to be looking at another expansion plan in 2025.

Devon Park will need a minimum of 17,500 permanent seats with a 5,000-seat expansion.

Impressive attendance so far at the 2024 WCWS. Oklahoma City needs to be looking at another expansion plan in 2025.

Devon Park will need a minimum of 17,500 permanent seats with a 5,000-seat expansion.

While I agree, it will be hard to pay for. It has 1 really big event. After that, there is not much revenue to be generated there.

Honestly, the next move should be to build it closer to downtown. I would love a 17k stadium near downtown. Being in BFE is hard to create a sense of fun around it. No bars or restaurants, no hotels, parking a mile away.

While I agree, it will be hard to pay for. It has 1 really big event. After that, there is not much revenue to be generated there.

Honestly, the next move should be to build it closer to downtown. I would love a 17k stadium near downtown. Being in BFE is hard to create a sense of fun around it. No bars or restaurants, no hotels, parking a mile away.

You have a lot of funds invested in Devon Park at its present site. The Remington Park Casino should be given special permission to upgrade and expand; also allowed all class gaming much like Winstar Casino in Thackerville, OK.

You want to see OKC's Adventure District explode allow the Chickasaw's gaming element to expand on that site.

I would love to see the Chickasaws build first-class lodging on the property as well.

You have a lot of funds invested in Devon Park at its present site. The Remington Park Casino should be given special permission to upgrade and expand; also allowed all class gaming much like Winstar Casino in Thackerville, OK.

You want to see OKC's Adventure District explode allow the Chickasaw's gaming element to expand on that site.

The casino is not going to get a large expansion or upgrade to table games. It is too big a lift. Sports betting is probably coming statewide within the next 5 years, so Remington will get a prized placement in the overall setup, IMO.

The Chickasaw are bullish on the area, and are planning to invest heavily after the I-35 and I-44 workover is finished.

Now, if stadium is hard to pay for in it's current location, due to hosting only 1 really big event per year, then why should we put it on prime downtown real estate? I would think we want more usage for land there.

The casino is not going to get a large expansion or upgrade to table games. It is too big a lift. Sports betting is probably coming statewide within the next 5 years, so Remington will get a prized placement in the overall setup, IMO.

The Chickasaw are bullish on the area, and are planning to invest heavily after the I-35 and I-44 workover is finished.

Now, if stadium is hard to pay for in its current location, due to hosting only 1 really big event per year, then why should we put it on prime downtown real estate? I would think we want more usage for land there.

Yeah, people also don’t realize that it isn’t just the stadium but the 3 other practice/game fields around it, the softball hall of fame and the parking lot. The whole thing takes up over 42 acres and the city owns over 40 acres of land attached to it if they ever needed to expand. You would need an area larger than the north part of scissortail park (35 acres give or take) to fit all of that and would have no room leftover. It’s only about an easy ten minute drive from downtown and the city has already invested a ton of money into it. No reason to move.

The money would be much better spend getting the “adventure line” train, that has been discussed on and off, going to shuttle people up there from downtown and back.

Shade Shade Shade. Put Sun blockers on the upper deck for Shade for the seats. Yes Texas/Florida was a blowout but by the 3rd inning everything in the sun was looking very empty on tv.

…The money would be much better spend getting the “adventure line” train, that has been discussed on and off, going to shuttle people up there from downtown and back.
I’ve been saying this to anyone who’d listen for some time. That said, just so that everyone here is aware, the City and EMBARK are running a pretty high-frequency (every 30 minutes) shuttle between the stadium and downtown:
18858

Also, for the record, moving the stadium downtown after all that has been invested (and will continue to be invested) in Devon/HOF is folly. It’s exactly where it belongs. Saying this as the owner of a downtown business that benefits tremendously from WCWS.

Also, BTW, WCWS is hardly the only event held there. It’s just the biggest.

Also, for the record, moving the stadium downtown after all that has been invested (and will continue to be invested) in Devon/HOF is folly. It’s exactly where it belongs. Saying this as the owner of a downtown business that benefits tremendously from WCWS.

Also, BTW, WCWS is hardly the only event held there. It’s just the biggest.

Then the city needs to encourage development around it. The fact there is nothing there is more of a reason it will leave OKC than anything else.

No one complains about Omaha because it is downtown in a fun area. Not in an area with no parking or things to do.

Define “things to do.” Because actually the Adventure District is LOADED with “things to do.” If you mean “places to drink,” then yeah, I agree. But the WCWS crowd is definitely NOT a drinking crowd. Its primary demo skews far more in the direction of families. And guess what families love to do? Go to the zoo, museums and other attractions. Could that area use a few more bar/restaurant and hotel options? For sure. Could it be more walkable? Absolutely. But I defy you to find an area in this region with a higher concentration of visitor attractions.

Define “things to do.” Because actually the Adventure District is LOADED with “things to do.” If you mean “places to drink,” then yeah, I agree. But the WCWS crowd is definitely NOT a drinking crowd. Its primary demo skews far more in the direction of families. And guess what families love to do? Go to the zoo, museums and other attractions. Could that area use a few more bar/restaurant and hotel options? For sure. Could it be more walkable? Absolutely. But I defy you to find an area in this region with a higher concentration of visitor attractions.

I mean hotels, restaurants and bars. Stuff that surrounds downtown Omaha. And downtown OKC. But not the Adventure District

https://www.theemblemsource.com/cdn/shop/files/7-114389-EMB-WCWSNCAA2024WomensSoftballCollegeWorldSeries_850x. jpg?v=1714499830

Oklahoma 1 vs UCLA 0 - Attendance: N/A
Texas 10 vs Florida 0 (five innings)

Sunday
Game 9: No. 14 Alabama vs. No. 4 Florida, 3 p.m., ABC
Game 10: No. 8 Stanford vs. No. 6 UCLA, 7 p.m., ESPNU

The fact there is nothing there is more of a reason it will leave OKC than anything else.

the fact that no one else wants to invest in a 12,000+ stadium just for softball is why it isn't leaving OKC in my lifetime.

the fact that no one else wants to invest in a 12,000+ stadium just for softball is why it isn't leaving OKC in my lifetime.

I 100% believe Austin will. They have been spending money at will for UT sports and for NIL. Their coach hates that the WCWS is in Oklahoma City. Austin will no doubt be building one by 2035, IMO. And probably develop the heck out of the surrounding area, so it isn't in a deserted part of the city with no restaurants or bars or hotels.

there are competition quality (+local leagues & clinics) sand volleyball AND indoor volleyball facilities going in North of Remington Park and 2 new hotels as well.
Boombox Beach should be open around Labor Day this year.

there are competition quality (+local leagues & clinics) sand volleyball AND indoor volleyball facilities going in North of Remington Park and 2 new hotels as well.
Boombox Beach should be open around Labor Day this year.

Which is a start. But you know what I mean. Austin overdevelops a lot of places, and would have bars and restaurants all around the stadium if they built one, just like Omaha has now in downtown Omaha. I know moving the stadium isn't feasible, but encouraging private development there may not be, either, because it is a softball stadium. But something could be built out there to make it more fun.

Hence why building it in BFE, for all intents and purposes, wasn't the best idea. But we have to work with what we have now. Make that area more fresh and vibrant, somehow.

Which is a start. But you know what I mean. Austin overdevelops a lot of places, and would have bars and restaurants all around the stadium if they built one, just like Omaha has now in downtown Omaha. I know moving the stadium isn't feasible, but encouraging private development there may not be, either, because it is a softball stadium. But something could be built out there to make it more fun.

Hence why building it in BFE, for all intents and purposes, wasn't the best idea. But we have to work with what we have now. Make that area more fresh and vibrant, somehow.


The Omaha stadium is a AAA baseball facility that is booked for professional games over 70 days a year. The CWS is a bonus, not the purpose, of the stadium.

Our stadium complex is the largest on earth. As the sport grows the area around it will expand. OKC has invested in softball for a longer time and invested more money than any other city. We have said repeatedly we are committed to doing so.


There are times when I read "restaurants & bars" mentioned repeatedly that I start to put it with "vibrant, walkable community", and start to view it as a new urbanist type talking point that demands a fully formed entity. And isn't concerned with the process.

The Omaha stadium is a AAA baseball facility that is booked for professional games over 70 days a year. The CWS is a bonus, not the purpose, of the stadium.

Our stadium complex is the largest on earth. As the sport grows the area around it will expand. OKC has invested in softball for a longer time and invested more money than any other city. We have said repeatedly we are committed to doing so.


There are times when I read "restaurants & bars" mentioned repeatedly that I start to put it with "vibrant, walkable community", and start to view it as a new urbanist type talking point that demands a fully formed entity. And isn't concerned with the process.

It doesn't have to be perfect, but right now, there is NOTHING there. McDonalds and a racino. Perfect combination. Lol

I just want there to be something for everyone there. Many people, even Tim Walton, who went to OU and coached at OU under Gasso, said that it would be nice for people to be able to walk to their hotel or walk to a bar or restaurant after a game, but beggars can't be choosers.

Agree, Oklahoma City needs to be looking at something long-term. Expansion of Devon Park from 12,500 to 15,000 - 20,000 seat range would IMO keep the WCWS here beyond 2050.

The Adventure District (Old Route 66) will continue to grow once those two hotels are finished.

The Omaha stadium is a AAA baseball facility that is booked for professional games over 70 days a year. The CWS is a bonus, not the purpose, of the stadium.

Our stadium complex is the largest on earth. As the sport grows the area around it will expand. OKC has invested in softball for a longer time and invested more money than any other city. We have said repeatedly we are committed to doing so.


There are times when I read "restaurants & bars" mentioned repeatedly that I start to put it with "vibrant, walkable community", and start to view it as a new urbanist type talking point that demands a fully formed entity. And isn't concerned with the process.

nope ... the tripple A team moved to a smaller stadium and plays 0 games there ..

Creighton baseball plays there .. .. but that is it ..

The Omaha stadium is a AAA baseball facility that is booked for professional games over 70 days a year. The CWS is a bonus, not the purpose, of the stadium.

Our stadium complex is the largest on earth. As the sport grows the area around it will expand. OKC has invested in softball for a longer time and invested more money than any other city. We have said repeatedly we are committed to doing so.


There are times when I read "restaurants & bars" mentioned repeatedly that I start to put it with "vibrant, walkable community", and start to view it as a new urbanist type talking point that demands a fully formed entity. And isn't concerned with the process.

Omaha's AAA team doesn't play in Rosenblatt, they have their own stadium in the suburbs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Park

It doesn't have to be perfect, but right now, there is NOTHING there. McDonalds and a racino. Perfect combination. Lol

I just want there to be something for everyone there. Many people, even Tim Walton, who went to OU and coached at OU under Gasso, said that it would be nice for people to be able to walk to their hotel or walk to a bar or restaurant after a game, but beggars can't be choosers.

Hey...don't forget they a Sonic in the Tinseltown parking lot!

Remington Park had their biggest race of the year last night. 12 race card topped out with the Heritage Place Futurity. $1 million purse with $450,000 to the winning 2 year old Quarter Horse. I thought Remington had the least amount of food options I have ever seen on a major race day.

nope ... the tripple A team moved to a smaller stadium and plays 0 games there ..

Creighton baseball plays there .. .. but that is it ..

Dang. I have even read that before and still forgot.

NE 50th and I-35 is absolutely ripe for some development, especially on the western side of that intersection along the frontage road. Restaurants, hotels, batting cages, gas stations...something.

So If OU doesn't make it one year what will the attendance number be? I'm not sure if the games are sale outs. I would think 9 to 10 thousand? Tickets for Sunday were very easy to get and cheap.

Which is a start. But you know what I mean. Austin overdevelops a lot of places, and would have bars and restaurants all around the stadium if they built one, just like Omaha has now in downtown Omaha. I know moving the stadium isn't feasible, but encouraging private development there may not be, either, because it is a softball stadium. But something could be built out there to make it more fun.

Hence why building it in BFE, for all intents and purposes, wasn't the best idea. But we have to work with what we have now. Make that area more fresh and vibrant, somehow.

It was built in 1987. Downtown might as well have been BFE back then but the adventure district definitely isn’t now. It’s literally 5 miles from the center of downtown between downtown and one of the cities largest suburbs.

As long as the city keeps investing in the stadium, the college softball tournament isn’t going anywhere, especially not just because there aren’t enough bars and restaurants nearby for the one massive event it hosts every year when it’s only 10 minutes from downtown and might at some point have a direct rail connection.. No one else is building a huge, expensive softball stadium and complex and especially isn’t doing it on 40+ acres in the center of an urban area. It would be great to keep developing that area, and it’s slowly happening, but to act like we’re at any risk of losing the tournament, especially due to lack of development near a stadium that is 5-10 minutes in three directions from a ton of hotels/restaurants/etc, right now is just ridiculous. You are creating a problem that doesn’t and won’t ever exist unless the city decides to stop putting money into the complex.

I don’t know the area well, but it seems like building a hotel in the stadium parking lot that includes an indoor/outdoor softball themed sports bar and maybe even a small women’s college softball shop could help a lot. It’d just need to be designed to interact with the stadium. For example, the outdoor part of the bar could ramp up for the WCWS. But I also suspect it could be a draw for softball players and teams playing in, or passing through, the area. I don’t expect a whole district to necessarily pop up, but one well designed hotel could bring some vitality I’d think.

I don’t know the area well, but it seems like building a hotel in the stadium parking lot that includes an indoor/outdoor softball themed sports bar and maybe even a small women’s college softball shop could help a lot. It’d just need to be designed to interact with the stadium. For example, the outdoor part of the bar could ramp up for the WCWS. But I also suspect it could be a draw for softball players and teams playing in, or passing through, the area. I don’t expect a whole district to necessarily pop up, but one well designed hotel could bring some vitality I’d think.

That’s a pretty awesome idea. Especially if we end up with the Olympics.

I don’t know the area well, but it seems like building a hotel in the stadium parking lot that includes an indoor/outdoor softball themed sports bar and maybe even a small women’s college softball shop could help a lot. It’d just need to be designed to interact with the stadium. For example, the outdoor part of the bar could ramp up for the WCWS. But I also suspect it could be a draw for softball players and teams playing in, or passing through, the area. I don’t expect a whole district to necessarily pop up, but one well designed hotel could bring some vitality I’d think.

Do you know how many weeks or weekends a year there are events that bring out of towners to the stadium? Just curious.

Also, isn't there now a hotel being built by Remington Park .... the pickleball resort?

So If OU doesn't make it one year what will the attendance number be? I'm not sure if the games are sale outs. I would think 9 to 10 thousand? Tickets for Sunday were very easy to get and cheap.

OU being in obviously helps a lot but the games are usually well attended. Anecdotal but I went to a session the year Oregon State and Northwestern were two of the teams and it felt pretty packed. Closest team was Arizona.

Helps that some of the teams that usually make the WCWS are fanbases that travel well too (Alabama, Florida/Florida State, Texas, etc.)

A nice hotel complex on one of the outer Remington Park parking lots has been my wish list for the area for a while. Imagine something like that in the lot right up against the corner of MLK and Grand.

OU being in obviously helps a lot but the games are usually well attended. Anecdotal but I went to a session the year Oregon State and Northwestern were two of the teams and it felt pretty packed. Closest team was Arizona.

Helps that some of the teams that usually make the WCWS are fanbases that travel well too (Alabama, Florida/Florida State, Texas, etc.)

And if someplace like Austin decided to build a stadium and no team from Texas was there what kind of attendance would they have. Austin just doesn't have the softball related culture that OKC has.

https://www.theemblemsource.com/cdn/shop/files/7-114389-EMB-WCWSNCAA2024WomensSoftballCollegeWorldSeries_850x. jpg?v=1714499830

Florida 6 vs Alabama 4 - (Alabama eliminated)
June 3

Game 11: No. 4 Florida vs. No. 2 Oklahoma, 11 a.m., ESPN
Game 12: Rematch Game 11 (if necessary), 1:30 p.m., ESPN

Stanford 3 vs UCLA 1 - (UCLA eliminated) - Attendance: 12,418


Game 13: No. 8 Stanford vs. No. 1 Texas, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Game 14: Rematch Game 13 (if necessary), 8:30 p.m., ESPN2

I 100% believe Austin will. They have been spending money at will for UT sports and for NIL. Their coach hates that the WCWS is in Oklahoma City. Austin will no doubt be building one by 2035, IMO. And probably develop the heck out of the surrounding area, so it isn't in a deserted part of the city with no restaurants or bars or hotels.

so you are just basing this all on a whim... OU's Loves field is the largest On Campus stadium by capacity, and it's at 4,200... so you just think Texas is just going to build one 3x that size because???? there is no reality in which this happens.

if Austin were to do it. they would have to do it without the help of the university, and I just don't see the support for it. OKC was unique when we put forth tax dollars to build the complex we have now.

And if someplace like Austin decided to build a stadium and no team from Texas was there what kind of attendance would they have. Austin just doesn't have the softball related culture that OKC has.

exactly. heck, i remember that stadium being close to full before OU ever got good. OKC and Oklahoma in general supports softball... even when it isn't a local team. when UT was struggling, in softball, they had trouble filling the 1,254 seat stadium they have now.

So If OU doesn't make it one year what will the attendance number be? I'm not sure if the games are sale outs. I would think 9 to 10 thousand? Tickets for Sunday were very easy to get and cheap.

i think 9-10k is probably about right. and in a sport where teams have trouble getting 2k fans to games in some places... i think that's pretty dang good numbers. and is a big reason why the WCWS will stay in OKC and no one else even wants to try and build a facility for it.