Media outlets have tried, but the owners are hiding behind Holt as they actively build 9-figure commercial developments on NW Expressway (The Oak) and Broadway Extension (The Half).

I pretty much never read the local media, so I don't know the answer to this - by "hiding behind", do you mean they are all saying "no comment" or "talk to Mayor Holt"?

Ain't nothing jumping but the peas in the pot; they wouldn't be jumping if the water wasn't hot . . .

Man, it was only preseason but the atmosphere and energy tonight was absolutely incredible. The Chet vs Wemby hype was a big part of that but just wait until the regular season and this team is winning a ton of basketball games and in the playoffs for years to come as long as we keep this young core in tact.

The above is reason enough to vote yes on December 12th. Having an NBA team is special enough but a winning team? The fans who have abandoned the team will soon be flocking back and we will be selling the Paycom Center and the new arena out every single night and there is nothing better or bigger in OKC than that because with that the city, the restaurants, etc, everybody wins. THUNDER UP!

Media outlets have tried, but the owners are hiding behind Holt as they actively build 9-figure commercial developments on NW Expressway (The Oak) and Broadway Extension (The Half).
Seems like owners are making many great expensive investments in the city then. You should be happy.

Just curious which owners you think are hiding? They aren’t going to get into publicly negotiating or trying to convince the already set no voters.

Has that ever been confirmed or is it just the “do we really want to vote no and see if that will happen” attitude?

It doesn't need to be confirmed, the value of the team has blown up since they bought it. Anyone with a brain would explore a sale at this point. In fact - I think even with a new arena, changes are likely in the next decade. I'm not saying a complete sale, but the makeup of that group likely shifts at some point.

Man, it was only preseason but the atmosphere and energy tonight was absolutely incredible. The Chet vs Wemby hype was a big part of that but just wait until the regular season and this team is winning a ton of basketball games and in the playoffs for years to come as long as we keep this young core in tact.

The above is reason enough to vote yes on December 12th. Having an NBA team is special enough but a winning team? The fans who have abandoned the team will soon be flocking back and we will be selling the Paycom Center and the new arena out every single night and there is nothing better or bigger in OKC than that because with that the city, the restaurants, etc, everybody wins. THUNDER UP!

That’s coincidental and no big deal. We’ve been assured by several here and at least one member of the city council that all those 14k-18k people (most of whom don’t live downtown) would’ve been spending their money downtown on a random Monday night in October anyway. Nothing to see here. Don’t need a basketball team….uh…rich people are bad…umm kay? (Mr. Mackey Voice)

It doesn't need to be confirmed, the value of the team has blown up since they bought it. Anyone with a brain would explore a sale at this point. In fact - I think even with a new arena, changes are likely in the next decade. I'm not saying a complete sale, but the makeup of that group likely shifts at some point.

it already has a few times

It doesn't need to be confirmed, the value of the team has blown up since they bought it. Anyone with a brain would explore a sale at this point. In fact - I think even with a new arena, changes are likely in the next decade. I'm not saying a complete sale, but the makeup of that group likely shifts at some point.

I agree but I’ll clarify further. Has it been confirmed that they would look into selling the team as a result of a no vote?

Looking into selling the team because the value of the team has gone from $350,000,000 to $1,880,000,000 and looking into selling because voters think you should pay more than $50,000,000 for an arena likely to surpass $1,000,000,000 in costs are vastly different situations.

Claiming that the thunder may relocate if the vote doesn’t pass isn’t melodramatic or deceptive. It’s fact. No one here knows if we will get another shot at it before the team is sold. Pete and others have said they don’t think it will immediately go that way but they don’t know that any better than anyone else here does. I tend to think it would be hard to believe that the owners will just throw their hands up and say screw it after all the work they did to bring the team here and the success we’ve had since, especially after only 3-5 months form announcement to vote, but that just isn’t a chance I’m willing to take.

Read the post I responded to. What you said is far more realistic than what Laramie said.

I can't believe people are arguing that a "no" vote won't be step one in losing the Thunder. Mind numbingly dumb.

I wish the owners would have ponied up more, but comparing OKC's situation with other cities is fraught with false equivalence.

For one, other cities don't actually own their arenas. OKC will be the owner of our arena. Will it be an albatross? There will be costs of maintenance and upkeep, but that's the cost of having an NBA and hopefully first-class arena.

Hopefully this arena will truly be something worthy of our investment, not only guaranteeing the Thunder remain in OKC but also offering a first-class venue for concerts and other events.

The cost of losing the Thunder, and the prestige that comes with it, would be great, and far greater than the investment the citizens will make to build a 21st Century arena. And, to be clear, we are overdue for a new arena. That we were able to make do with an $82 million arena (and the additional $250 million or so in improvements) for thirty years is remarkable. OKC has more than gotten its money's worth. That is a hell of a return on investment.

The arguments are getting circular in nature, and people seem to have made up their minds. If there were any doubt (probably not), I will be voting "yes." Respectfully disagree with those who will not but have trust the citizens of OKC will make the right call.

Not shocking that something so important seems so simple if you only bother looking at it in the context of “this is why I think it should happen.” The goofiest part of all this is still that trying to clarify what we know versus what is commentary gets people on a soapbox about why it needs to be done.

Would it help if I told you some of us are not concerned with the direct quantifiable revenue measured by specific set KPIs?

I’m just fine with this being a giant vanity project for the city and it keeping the Thunder. I’m just fine with paying a $.01 sales tax so that I can brag to business clients and bring them to a world class facility for games and meetups. I’m good if we never fully see the city paid back in the limited measurables from some study. You’re only interested in data and not hearing from the people living it…

It’s not hard to understand that both aspects are necessary. No sense in making it out to be either “we make sure the numbers make sense” or “we build a dope new arena so I can flex to people.”

Read the post I responded to. What you said is far more realistic than what Laramie said.

Fair enough.

It’s not hard to understand that both aspects are necessary. No sense in making it out to be either “we make sure the numbers make sense” or “we build a dope new arena so I can flex to people.”

Both aspects are not necessary. We can subsidize the new arena and fall short of ever being paid back when considering the data points used in the studies shared. If what Poli claims comes to fruition this will 100% prove that both aspects are NOT necessary. Due to it most likely passing.

He’s basically stated no matter the situation meaning size of city, number of pro teams, additional tourist attractions etc… there isn’t factual data that proves out a city investing hundreds of millions into an arena and recouping its investment. If I were to yield to that point we’re discussing this from a different place.

Both aspects are not necessary. We can subsidize the new arena and fall short of ever being paid back when considering the data points used in the studies shared. If what Poli claims comes to fruition this will 100% prove that both aspects are NOT necessary. Due to it most likely passing.

He’s basically stated no matter the situation meaning size of city, number of pro teams, additional tourist attractions etc… there isn’t factual data that proves out a city investing hundreds of millions into an arena and recouping its investment. If I were to yield to that point we’re discussing this from a different place.

There's definitely a level where it makes sense, but it's well below a billion. What data are you seeing that prevents you from yielding to the countless studies that show that?

Both aspects are not necessary. We can subsidize the new arena and fall short of ever being paid back when considering the data points used in the studies shared. If what Poli claims comes to fruition this will 100% prove that both aspects are NOT necessary. Due to it most likely passing.

He’s basically stated no matter the situation meaning size of city, number of pro teams, additional tourist attractions etc… there isn’t factual data that proves out a city investing hundreds of millions into an arena and recouping its investment. If I were to yield to that point we’re discussing this from a different place.

By both aspects, I’m talking about 1) sorting out the fine details to determine if or how well something works for the city, and 2) dreaming about how wonderful a new arena will be. I’m confident you’re aware but costs, percentages, funding, case studies, etc. aren’t just pulled out of thin air to disrupt the tranquility of development nerds. We can only control what we can control but again, no sense in burying our heads in the sand when it comes to possible data, no matter how much we want to jump forward to experiencing a beautiful, state of the art arena.

To my chagrin, I’ve followed along with the conversations. Having preferences is expected but it’s disingenuous to hand-wave away information that doesn’t align with those preferences. I’m not saying PoliSciGuy has been objective or directing that at you, but it’s silly how much any concern for details gets buried by those making desperate pleas on the ignorance of evaluating the deal for what it is since it’ll run off the only thing that makes Oklahoma City a livable place. If it doesn’t apply to our city then okay, let’s discuss why it doesn’t or how the data is incomplete or manipulated so those that do have concerns will feel better about voting yes, but brushing it off as unhinged citizens trying to ruin Oklahoma City has been the theme of this thread more than the arena itself.

By both aspects, I’m talking about 1) sorting out the fine details to determine if or how well something works for the city, and 2) dreaming about how wonderful a new arena will be. I’m confident you’re aware but costs, percentages, funding, case studies, etc. aren’t just pulled out of thin air to disrupt the tranquility of development nerds. We can only control what we can control but again, no sense in burying our heads in the sand when it comes to possible data, no matter how much we want to jump forward to experiencing a beautiful, state of the art arena.

To my chagrin, I’ve followed along with the conversations. Having preferences is expected but it’s disingenuous to hand-wave away information that doesn’t align with those preferences. I’m not saying PoliSciGuy has been objective or directing that at you, but it’s silly how much any concern for details gets buried by those making desperate pleas on the ignorance of evaluating the deal for what it is since it’ll run off the only thing that makes Oklahoma City a livable place. If it doesn’t apply to our city then okay, let’s discuss why it doesn’t or how the data is incomplete or manipulated so those that do have concerns will feel better about voting yes, but brushing it off as unhinged citizens trying to ruin Oklahoma City has been the theme of this thread more than the arena itself.

There is a massive difference in Poli’s studies and the Mayors valuation placed on GOODWILL toward the city from building an arena. Without an economic impact study he views it as anecdotal.

Even still I’m stating we can concede that the studies linked earlier in the thread are correct based on the data points used. So my overall point is, now what? So the city won’t make back in direct economic impact what we the people invest into the arena. The point he is missing is all that matters is the anecdotal part of this because he diminishes how the people who vote view the new arena.

Facts don’t care about feelings. Votes don’t care about facts.

…are we sure this is actually going to pass?

https://emersoncollegepolling.com/oklahoma-poll-gov-stitt-and-biden-with-low-approval-ratings/


Oklahoma City finalized plans last month to build a new downtown arena for the NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and plan to hold a citywide vote in December. Voters across the state were asked if they support or oppose a one percent sales tax for Oklahoma City residents to fund the new stadium.

A quarter of Oklahoma residents (25%) support this measure, 42% oppose it, and 34% are unsure or have no opinion. In Oklahoma City, approval is lower: 22% support the measure, 53% oppose it, and 25% are unsure.

“While the sample of Oklahoma City residents is limited, the results are clear: 53% oppose the 1% sales tax to fund the $900 million stadium, versus 22% who support the plan – a 30-point margin against the tax,” Matt Taglia, Senior Director at Emerson College Polling noted. “Statewide, Republicans are overwhelmingly opposed, 46% to 25% in support, while Democrats are less vocal in their opposition at 36% to 31% in support.”

This reminds me of when a few polls said the Hofmeister/Stitt race would be close and then it wound up a landslide.

Might as well not even try now. Emerson has spoken.

2026, welcome to your Seattle Super Sonincs. No more mentions of OKC or the Thunder.

…are we sure this is actually going to pass?

https://emersoncollegepolling.com/oklahoma-poll-gov-stitt-and-biden-with-low-approval-ratings/

Ho dang that's surprising. I don't think the proposal is that underwater, but given how the other findings of the poll (Biden, Stitt approval ratings) seem to jive with overall sentiment, that's certainly got to be worrying for the Mayor's office.

However, note that the only thing that matters here is the Oklahoma City poll, which, with only 82 respondents, is limited in generalizability.

Think the verbiage for the actual vote will lean much more into the “this isn’t a new tax, just a continuation” when the time comes.

The poll data says only 82 of the respondents live in Oklahoma City. That is not enough to be scientific.

They found 18 people who said they would be against it...

The poll data says only 82 of the respondents live in Oklahoma City. That is not enough to be scientific.

They found 18 people who said they would be against it...

You mean for the new arena.

They found 43 people against it.

That poll is worrisome, even with the small sample.

The team needs to encourage the season ticket holders to go vote. Anyone here with season tickets?

That poll is worrisome, even with the small sample.

The team needs to encourage the season ticket holders to go vote. Anyone here with season tickets?

The company I work for is in close partnership with the OKC Thunder so I get free tickets not necessarily with a pass. One of my employees also works part time for the Thunder specifically with the season pass holders and I'm wondering if there's much she and her team can do to encourage the pass holders... I'll have to talk with her and hear about what the team is planning right now.

That poll is worrisome, even with the small sample.

The team needs to encourage the season ticket holders to go vote. Anyone here with season tickets?

The strategy of saying absolutely nothing and hiding behind Holt (in an effort to save a few million dollars) is definitely a head scratcher.

The strategy of saying absolutely nothing and hiding behind Holt (in an effort to save a few million dollars) is definitely a head scratcher.

Trust me, they aren't hiding. Their push will come closer to voting time.

A bad poll in late November would say more. I think there are a lot of people who would probably initially be opposed to the idea without hearing directly from Thunder management. The PR campaign is coming.....

There is a massive difference in Poli’s studies and the Mayors valuation placed on GOODWILL toward the city from building an arena. Without an economic impact study he views it as anecdotal.

Even still I’m stating we can concede that the studies linked earlier in the thread are correct based on the data points used. So my overall point is, now what? So the city won’t make back in direct economic impact what we the people invest into the arena. The point he is missing is all that matters is the anecdotal part of this because he diminishes how the people who vote view the new arena.

Facts don’t care about feelings. Votes don’t care about facts.

Less than 45k voters showed up for MAPS 4 and it passed with a 71% “yes” vote. That’s with it being full of social focused program’s versus past MAPS programs focused on entertainment type development. While OKC is becoming more purple that all happened while still leaning republican.

That poll is as scientific as me stating we have 20+ in favor, 2 against, and 1 undecided/unknown on this site.

Predicting a big year for the Thunder to help sell the arena.

The strategy of saying absolutely nothing and hiding behind Holt (in an effort to save a few million dollars) is definitely a head scratcher.

particularly, when you consider Holt's response so far to the No Vote is that THEY will alway vote NO. But in reality, there's quite a few in that current NO side who otherwise would vote Yes and/or support the Thunder or 'all things OKC', but feel like this time the city has gone too far. I really do hope the city/Thunder can do some great PR - I am starting to worry about this. The vote is 2 months away, 60 days is not a long time.

Seattle Times article on OKC’s arena effort: https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/nba/15-years-after-moving-sonics-now-its-the-thunder-asking-for-publicly-funded-arena/

This Bill Simmons quote is spine-chilling stuff:


I hate to start (expletive), but you know, OKC did steal a team from somebody else. This is the smallest market in the league. They have the smallest arena in the league … Google ‘Oklahoma City Thunder arena lease.’ Go Google all that stuff. It’s been a story there for a couple of years. They want the taxpayers to pay for a new stadium. They want to keep the team and the lease I think was up this year. They did a little three-year short lease extension.

But I just wonder — again, I hate starting (expletive) — but I just wonder, you had the Bucks being valued at $3.5 billion (and) you have Phoenix at $4 billion. What happens to this team when they have all these young assets?

Like if I’m in Seattle, and I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to get an expansion team anytime soon, because you know, I still think Seattle and Vegas are gonna be the expansion teams if/when it happens, but what if you get a little (anxious) in Seattle? You look at that OKC team with the assets they built, you have the lineage of they played in Seattle once upon a time anyway.

… What does Clay Bennett do if Seattle just offers him like $5 billion for the team. ‘We’ll take it, here’s $5 billion.’ What does the NBA do? And what happens if OKC wants to do it? What is the value of that team in a small market vs. a big market? And what if somebody just says (expletive) it and overpays?
Make no mistake: other cities smell blood in the water. The idea that OKC - at present a marginal NBA market - will have multiple shots to get this right is delusional. There is SERIOUS money in play here, and I’m not talking about the cost to build the arena.

Seattle Times article on OKC’s arena effort: https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/nba/15-years-after-moving-sonics-now-its-the-thunder-asking-for-publicly-funded-arena/

This Bill Simmons quote is spine-chilling stuff:


Make no mistake: other cities smell blood in the water. The idea that OKC - at present a marginal NBA market - will have multiple shots to get this right is delusional. There is SERIOUS money in play here, and I’m not talking about the cost to build the arena.

So Simmons says he hates to start sh!t, but then starts sh!t. He's a clown and has been an OKC hater from day one calling the Thunder the OKC Zombies. He would love nothing better than for the Thunder to move back to Seattle.

^^^^^^^^
Agree with everything you said. But the point is that we (OKC) aren’t the only folks beginning to understand that this is the most pivotal moment to date in OKC’s short but surprisingly rich NBA history. They also innately get that the team will be immediately subject to a bidding war should we fail the test.

Yeah bill simmons has always been a dick and hated OKC but what he’s saying isn’t any different than what we’ve been saying here. No guarantee that the thunder leaves after a single no vote but it absolutely does open up the possibility for it. To deny that is extremely foolish and shows a massive amount of ignorance for how these things have gone in the past. If you don’t like the proposal and are fine with them leaving then vote no but doing so because you think they’ll come back to the table with a plan you like better if it fails is ignorant at best. Real F around and find out potential there. If you like having an nba team and want them to stay, you need to vote yes regardless of your feelings on this. Or hell, if you don’t like the plan that much…just abstain from voting. A no vote absolutely means “I’m okay with the team leaving if we don’t get the arena deal I want” despite what any of you who are against it think you’re doing. That would not be the hill I wanted to die on but hey, at least you’ll have plenty of free time opening up 41 nights per year to reread the 5 arena financing studies that you’re using to justify your position.

particularly, when you consider Holt's response so far to the No Vote is that THEY will alway vote NO. But in reality, there's quite a few in that current NO side who otherwise would vote Yes and/or support the Thunder or 'all things OKC', but feel like this time the city has gone too far. I really do hope the city/Thunder can do some great PR - I am starting to worry about this. The vote is 2 months away, 60 days is not a long time.

I agree, I won’t be surprised if it’s a lot closer than expected. I do think it’ll help if this Thunder team gets off to a good start.

So Simmons says he hates to start sh!t, but then starts sh!t. He's a clown and has been an OKC hater from day one calling the Thunder the OKC Zombies. He would love nothing better than for the Thunder to move back to Seattle.

Simmons is full of it. OKC isn't the smallest market and Seattle isn't a large market, it's a medium market. NY-La-Chi ect. are large markets. I wouldn't worry about anything he spouts off about the Thunder because he is in no way considered a Thunder insider. I will be voting *Yes* regardless of how much the owners pony up.

Fu€k Bill Simmons.

Unfortunately, Simmons isn't wrong. That's just the economics of the NBA.

They do not like to speak on relocations, but the reality is a new arena is something the NBA as a whole wants. Who knows what happens or on what time line, but it is a certainty that no major league sport will be playing in the current arena in 10 years. Whether the Thunder stays here or moves to a larger market, it will be in one with more revenue growth potential.

Bill Simmons with the most basic elementary argument. Big vs. small. Same argument he made as to why the thunder would fail. He’s a dip **** and if I'm not mistaken we aren't the smallest market in the league.

3rd smallest tv market and 4th smallest overall based on a quick search. However, our numbers seam off given the metro’s size and then adding in tulsa and the state.

https://hoop-social.com/nba-team-market-size-rankings/

It’s a marginal market. Passionate fan base (when we’re winning), great front office, surprising corporate support for a city not brimming with Fortune 500 companies. But we will always lack many of the natural revenue streams that larger markets enjoy. We can’t be in the business of minimizing revenue potential for a team competing in an insanely expensive league.

We’re incredibly fortunate to be an NBA city and we need to recognize that. And right now we need to act like we do indeed understand that part of the equation.

Let Simmons spew shlt all he wants. It will start to work against him and push more people to vote for the arena just to stick it to the west coast elitist arrogants

Bill Simmons with the most basic elementary argument. Big vs. small. Same argument he made as to why the thunder would fail. He’s a dip **** and if I'm not mistaken we aren't the smallest market in the league.

We aren't the smallest market in the league. Based on MSA population OKC (1,459,380) is larger than Memphis (1,339,855), Salt Lake City (1,266,191) and New Orleans (972,913). And we're not the smallest market by TV viewership we are ahead of New Orleans and Memphis.

Salt Lake City (1,168,540) uses the whole state when reporting their DMA viewership. Oklahoma City (743,340)-Tulsa (543,710) combined viewership = 1,287,050 far exceeds that of Utah. Former Mayor Mick Cornett often suggested to the NBA that
Oklahoma City-Tulsa combined was considered one market when calculating DMA market viewership data.

Source: 2022-2023 Nielsen DMA Ranking https://ustvdb.com/seasons/2022-23/markets/

Oklahoman in Sunday's Editorial:

Why we support building a new arena:

...We are confident this city is on a growth trajectory and can support inclusive and transparent practices in the process. Bring everyone
along in its transformation. A new arena is a social and cultural investment we’re willing to risk.

For the full editorial (estimated 16 paragraphs), pick up a copy of the Oklahoman: Sunday, October 15, 2023

Let Simmons spew shlt all he wants. It will start to work against him and push more people to vote for the arena just to stick it to the west coast elitist arrogants

I honestly wondered if someone from within the NBA prompted him to write about it to create a narrative the citizens of OKC would want to shoot down by approving the arena.

I honestly wondered if someone from within the NBA prompted him to write about it to create a narrative the citizens of OKC would want to shoot down by approving the arena.
That’s a heavy duty conspiracy theory. Lol

If they money is so good for the Thunder ownership who is to say they don't sign the lease and then break it? To my knowledge we have no idea what the financial terms are for this 25 year deal Holt is hyping and if someone offers Bennet $5 Billion it may be perfectly doable to just pay the penalty and walk or just walk and let the lawyers sort it out.

I guess I am saying if the Thunder owners truly want to sell this arena probably doesn't stop them

If they money is so good for the Thunder ownership who is to say they don't sign the lease and then break it? To my knowledge we have no idea what the financial terms are for this 25 year deal Holt is hyping and if someone offers Bennet $5 Billion it may be perfectly doable to just pay the penalty and walk or just walk and let the lawyers sort it out.

I guess I am saying if the Thunder owners truly want to sell this arena probably doesn't stop them

Doesn’t stop them, but does theoretically lock the team in and give them an arena that is much more competitive revenue wise with the rest of the league. Not sure I’ve ever seen a team move from a city in which they’d been extremely successful by any metric for nearly their entire existence (attendance has only been down in 2021-2022…Covid policies + rebuilding…and last year…still rebuilding) that had just built a state of the art arena…that would be very unprecedented.

We'd like to see what we're getting for $900 million that could potentially swell beyond $1 billion+ depending on how a loan is structured.

Our city is gambling that the December 12 initiative will pass. Will be of interest to see what kind of campaign strategy pushes this across the finish line.

Selection of a site for construction will give of a critical piece to this project puzzle.

If they money is so good for the Thunder ownership who is to say they don't sign the lease and then break it? To my knowledge we have no idea what the financial terms are for this 25 year deal Holt is hyping and if someone offers Bennet $5 Billion it may be perfectly doable to just pay the penalty and walk or just walk and let the lawyers sort it out.

I guess I am saying if the Thunder owners truly want to sell this arena probably doesn't stop them

that has never happened anywhere in any city

Please don't think this is a lecturing comment. But...leagues NEED cities. And a lot of them. Moving is not easy or inexpensive for any team or league. Also, there are around 120 "Big 4" league teams, and the revenue needs are such that they can't all fit in 30 cities. They need a lot of 1 league cities. The NBA has been clear that they built their empire on "The only game in town" cities. The NBA loves it.

The NBA is not excited about leaving OKC to make Seattle a "4 league" city, or taking Las Vegas from zero to 4 in 10 years. Which is what would happen if Las Vegas went from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 to the Raiders, Athletics and NBA whatevers by 2027. I think the most legit new market for the NBA if the Thunder moved is Louisville. And there is no chance anyone spends $4-5 billion to buy the Thunder and move them there. The revenue needs on servicing a purchase price of that price is astronomical. No new media rights deal can get anyone near to that level.

Please don't think this is a lecturing comment. But...leagues NEED cities. And a lot of them. Moving is not easy or inexpensive for any team or league. Also, there are around 120 "Big 4" league teams, and the revenue needs are such that they can't all fit in 30 cities. They need a lot of 1 league cities. The NBA has been clear that they built their empire on "The only game in town" cities. The NBA loves it.

The NBA is not excited about leaving OKC to make Seattle a "4 league" city, or taking Las Vegas from zero to 4 in 10 years. Which is what would happen if Las Vegas went from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 to the Raiders, Athletics and NBA whatevers by 2027. I think the most legit new market for the NBA if the Thunder moved is Louisville. And there is no chance anyone spends $4-5 billion to buy the Thunder and move them there. The revenue needs on servicing a purchase price of that price is astronomical. No new media rights deal can get anyone near to that level.

That’s actually a pretty great point. The NBA isn’t necessarily cool with franchises moving from small markets to big markets. It’s not good for the brand.

https://www.thestreet.com/sports/steve-ballmer-seattle-supersonics-move-nba

That’s actually a pretty great point. The NBA isn’t necessarily cool with franchises moving from small markets to big markets. It’s not good for the brand.

https://www.thestreet.com/sports/steve-ballmer-seattle-supersonics-move-nba

Who do you think pressures the ownership to formulate plans for new venues? The NBA has a revenue share model and they penalize underperforming teams that don’t meet 70% of the league average. I believe your point of view is correct and the NBA dislikes the optics of moving a team but the one thing they hate more is losing money.

This makes me nervous for December.

https://okcfox.com/news/local/majority-of-oklahoma-city-residents-object-to-sales-tax-funding-for-new-thunder-stadium-poll-reveals-okc-thunder-mayor-holt-progress-now-basketball#

Over half of Oklahoma City's residents oppose a 1% sales tax that would help fund a new arena, a new Emerson College Poll found.

53% of OKC residents oppose a 1% sales tax in Oklahoma City for six years that would ultimately fund the $900 million stadium for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

I feel like that's the poll that was already discussed here a page or two back which surveyed a very small number of people actually in OKC.

I think this will be closer than all of the maps votes, I hope I’m wrong though.

Received this press release today:

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

Renowned National Pollster Determines Majority of OKC Residents Against Arena

Oklahoma City, OK - October 17, 2023 - Emerson College Polling found that 53% of OKC residents are against building a new arena while 25% are unsure and only 22% support it. David Holt has repeatedly suggested other polling that is supportive of an arena exists while refusing to release it. This comes after also saying we had “14 months of public discussion” that did not occur. The public clearly knows better.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena101723a.jpg


“Our Mayor is disconnected from what the people want. This deal puts 95% of the burden on taxpayers and is the most poorly negotiated NBA subsidy in the league. We need a better deal and a better stewardship of taxpayers money. ” Says Nabilah Rawdah, executive director of Oklahoma Progress Now.

Emerson College Polling has an A- rating from 538 meaning they are routinely on target with their polls.

Research contained at buyyourownarena.com shows that arenas are not good economic investments. It also shows that we are getting one of the worst NBA deals in the US. The Thunder ownership are also one of the wealthiest ownership groups and have the ability to contribute substantially more.

“This polling shows the public has deep misgivings about spending $900M on a new arena, when basic needs are not being met. We are asking voters to demand this deal be renegotiated and vote NO on December 12th. Let’s get a better deal for OKC!” Says Nick Singer, communications director of Oklahoma Progress Now.

We are announcing an Arena Community Conversation at Grill on the Hill, Oct 28th from 11:30a-1p to discuss the impacts of this vote and how citizens can make their voices heard. We will also announce preliminary results of our survey, found at the bottom of our website.

More details on this effort can be found at: www.buyyourownarena.com

If Oklahoma Progress Now is the group behind this, I’m not all that concerned. That group seems a little nuts based on their blog posts. Trying to think of a good local nutty right wing equivalent.

The Buy Your Own Arena website is very out of touch with reality. For instance, saying the Paycom Center is "only" 25 years old. Have they looked at how old the rest of the NBA arenas are?

Can't believe there's this much pushback. Do people actually want the team to leave?