It's all (Funds) going to the new arena. IIRC there were some upgrades they could do with current Paycom Center but the 70,000 sq. ft of additional restaurant space was scrapped. Hope they could transfer some funds to Thunder Alley.

We'll know more when Mayor Holt announces plans for the new arena.

OMG: I'm feeling like I'm to miss the Paycom Center; yet we don't know how it's going to fit in OKC's plan--afterall
it was our first big league large arena.

This past season they replaced the seats in Paycom. Not sure if all levels but the lower bowl was done.

It's a shame they couldn't disassemble Paycom and move it down to Norman to replace Lloyd Noble. :)

It's a shame they couldn't disassemble Paycom and move it down to Norman to replace Lloyd Noble. :)

OU can't fill an arena half the size, so why on God's green earth would they need the Paycom?

They need a smaller arena.

OU’s basketball needs and the Thunder are apples and oranges. OU needs 10k max and on-campus. They could potentially play a couple regular season games in the new OKC arena though, as well as the BOK Center. I’d love to see OU still play OSU in either OKC/Tulsa every season

10 Billion NBA arena in Las Vegas privately funded
https://frontofficesports.com/las-vegas-nba-ready-arena-project-grows-to-10b/

OU can't fill an arena half the size, so why on God's green earth would they need the Paycom?

They need a smaller arena.

I'm more looking at it from the standpoint that Paycom is a perfectly good facility and OU needs to upgrade. Paycom SHOULD last 30 more years but thats not the reality. Its a waste.

10 Billion NBA arena in Las Vegas privately funded
https://frontofficesports.com/las-vegas-nba-ready-arena-project-grows-to-10b/

Vegas and it's casinos have virtually unlimited money for entertainment ventures.

It's a shame they couldn't disassemble Paycom and move it down to Norman to replace Lloyd Noble. :)

That would put the extreme house movers to shame. :)

Vegas and it's casinos have virtually unlimited money for entertainment ventures.

And is one more reason voters had better approve whatever the proposal ends up being.

I'm more looking at it from the standpoint that Paycom is a perfectly good facility and OU needs to upgrade. Paycom SHOULD last 30 more years but thats not the reality. Its a waste.

Not too sure that Paycom will go away, and can always be used for concerts, rodeos monster trucks and high school graduations in the least.

Paycom WILL go away.

Bill Simmons was, admittedly, stirring it up on his podcast yesterday, saying he wouldn't be shocked if someone threw 5+ billion at Clay and the ownership group to buy and relocate the team in the next few years.

(He mentioned moving them BACK to Seattle because, of course, its Bill Simmons)

He said, OKC is the smallest market with the smallest arena (or close to it) in the NBA and if voters don't approve a new arena, someone could overwhelm the owners with an offer, similar to what Ballmer did with the Clippers.
Now, I have never heard even a whiff of talk that the owners would sell. We know they wanted a team specifically for their home state, and its been wildly successful for the city.

(There is downtown pre-Thunder and downtown post-Thunder and the differences are dramatic)

But its not out of the realm of possibility and something to pay attention to.

I dont think an owner would buy the team and move them back to Seattle when the open secret is Seattle and Vegas are getting expansion teams.

Bill Simmons was, admittedly, stirring it up on his podcast yesterday, saying he wouldn't be shocked if someone threw 5+ billion at Clay and the ownership group to buy and relocate the team in the next few years.

(He mentioned moving them BACK to Seattle because, of course, its Bill Simmons)

He said, OKC is the smallest market with the smallest arena (or close to it) in the NBA and if voters don't approve a new arena, someone could overwhelm the owners with an offer, similar to what Ballmer did with the Clippers.
Now, I have never heard even a whiff of talk that the owners would sell. We know they wanted a team specifically for their home state, and its been wildly successful for the city.

(There is downtown pre-Thunder and downtown post-Thunder and the differences are dramatic)

But its not out of the realm of possibility and something to pay attention to.

be cause of course Bill Simmons doesn't realize that Memphis and New Orleans are smaller markets... typical for him.

Bill Simmons was, admittedly, stirring it up on his podcast yesterday, saying he wouldn't be shocked if someone threw 5+ billion at Clay and the ownership group to buy and relocate the team in the next few years.

(He mentioned moving them BACK to Seattle because, of course, its Bill Simmons)

He said, OKC is the smallest market with the smallest arena (or close to it) in the NBA and if voters don't approve a new arena, someone could overwhelm the owners with an offer, similar to what Ballmer did with the Clippers.
Now, I have never heard even a whiff of talk that the owners would sell. We know they wanted a team specifically for their home state, and its been wildly successful for the city.

(There is downtown pre-Thunder and downtown post-Thunder and the differences are dramatic)

But its not out of the realm of possibility and something to pay attention to.

No one who actually knows anything has said OKC won't vote to support the new arena. It will pass with flying colors. So no, it isn't worth paying attention to. Dooming and glooming on this isn't worth it, in a situation that won't come to pass.

Bill Simmons never recovered from The Professional Basketball Club, LLC purchase and relocation of the NBA Supersonics from
the Pacific Northwest to the Plains of Oklahoma.

He tore his draws (showed his A) with me as far back as 2008.

Surprised he didn’t work in the Harden trade when mentioning the Thunder - and so generally like his pod! This just seemed really random

Bill Simmons was, admittedly, stirring it up on his podcast yesterday, saying he wouldn't be shocked if someone threw 5+ billion at Clay and the ownership group to buy and relocate the team in the next few years.

(He mentioned moving them BACK to Seattle because, of course, its Bill Simmons)

He said, OKC is the smallest market with the smallest arena (or close to it) in the NBA and if voters don't approve a new arena, someone could overwhelm the owners with an offer, similar to what Ballmer did with the Clippers.
Now, I have never heard even a whiff of talk that the owners would sell. We know they wanted a team specifically for their home state, and its been wildly successful for the city.

(There is downtown pre-Thunder and downtown post-Thunder and the differences are dramatic)

But its not out of the realm of possibility and something to pay attention to.

5 billion dollars would buy any team in the NBA. Today. Including his precious Boston Celtics.

5 billion dollars would buy any team in the NBA. Today. Including his precious Boston Celtics.

nope

nope

The NFL grossed $18 billion last year and the Washington Commanders are selling for $6 billion. The NBA grossed $11 billion. The Hornets are selling for a team valuation (not Jordans cut) of $3 billion. If $5 billion ain't all the money, it is sure close to it.

The NFL grossed $18 billion last year and the Washington Commanders are selling for $6 billion. The NBA grossed $11 billion. The Hornets are selling for a team valuation (not Jordans cut) of $3 billion. If $5 billion ain't all the money, it is sure close to it.

the knicks / lakers /celtics / are all worth significantly more than the hornets (who are one of the least valuable franchises ) .. the expansion fee for seattle is going to be more than 3 billion ..

the knicks / lakers /celtics / are all worth significantly more than the hornets (who are one of the least valuable franchises ) .. the expansion fee for seattle is going to be more than 3 billion ..

That is the scuttlebutt. Nobody knows for sure. What we see on ESPN and other outlets should be taken with a grain of salt. A $3 billion expansion fee will incur at least $500 million in hard costs before the first tip off. That is with an arena deal in place. And 2 years minimum from franchise award to then. They probably won't get a full revenue share for 5 years after that.

Seattle is a good sports town, but they have 3 leagues currently (NFL, MLB & NHL), and you could even make an argument that MLS and WNBA add up to between 3/4 and a full share of another major league. I think after all those years and money the new SuperSonics will still make less profit than the Jazz, Trail Blazers, Spurs, or even the Thunder.

That is the scuttlebutt. Nobody knows for sure. What we see on ESPN and other outlets should be taken with a grain of salt. A $3 billion expansion fee will incur at least $500 million in hard costs before the first tip off. That is with an arena deal in place. And 2 years minimum from franchise award to then. They probably won't get a full revenue share for 5 years after that.

Seattle is a good sports town, but they have 3 leagues currently (NFL, MLB & NHL), and you could even make an argument that MLS and WNBA add up to between 3/4 and a full share of another major league. I think after all those years and money the new SuperSonics will still make less profit than the Jazz, Trail Blazers, Spurs, or even the Thunder.

lol no and if you think you could by the knicks lakers warriors celticis for 5 bil you are dreaming ..

Paycom WILL go away.


The Oklahoman
https://www.oklahoman.com › story › news › 2023/04/17
Apr 17, 2023 — “If we do move forward with another arena, it's anticipated Paycom will still be active, and still be utilized for concerts and other types ...

This is fairly recent ?

lol no and if you think you could by the knicks lakers warriors celticis for 5 bil you are dreaming ..

I'm curious how much you think they are worth? I notice you mentioned the Knicks and Lakers, but not the Nets or Clippers.

You know, young man, it wasn't that long ago that the Clips and Celts got traded for each other. ;-)

Assuming the new arena is on the Myriad/Cox Convention/Prairie Surf site given the size and location, the Myriad will have lasted approximately 25 years as next door neighbor to Paycom Center.

Paycom Center from a facility standpoint is in much better shape as a modern arena for concerts and events compared to the shape of the Myriad was in 2002, other than the north side renovations and convention space that was added on with MAPS. Many of the concourses, restrooms, and common areas were still stuck in the 1970's.

It would be nice to see Paycom retrofitted into a nicer performing arts and convention venue, will the existing arena "go away"...someday, but my guess, not for at least another 20-25 years?

I'm curious how much you think they are worth? I notice you mentioned the Knicks and Lakers, but not the Nets or Clippers.

You know, young man, it wasn't that long ago that the Clips and Celts got traded for each other. ;-)

only 45 years ago ...

Assuming the new arena is on the Myriad/Cox Convention/Prairie Surf site given the size and location, the Myriad will have lasted approximately 25 years as next door neighbor to Paycom Center.

Paycom Center from a facility standpoint is in much better shape as a modern arena for concerts and events compared to the shape of the Myriad was in 2002, other than the north side renovations and convention space that was added on with MAPS. Many of the concourses, restrooms, and common areas were still stuck in the 1970's.

It would be nice to see Paycom retrofitted into a nicer performing arts and convention venue, will the existing arena "go away"...someday, but my guess, not for at least another 20-25 years?

the knicks would go for closer to 10 billion

the knicks would go for closer to 10 billion

I think there is an issue with getting a true number because Knicks owner James Dolan also owns Madison Square Garden and the NHL Rangers. Figure the Nets will, maybe, go for 5 to 6 billion, and the Knicks surely can't be twice as valuable without the arena tie in.

Also, the Commanders are really selling for $6 billion. I'm having trouble accepting any NBA team would sell for more than a top 8 NFL team.

The Knicks for $10 billion? I want what you’re smoking.

I think there is an issue with getting a true number because Knicks owner James Dolan also owns Madison Square Garden and the NHL Rangers. Figure the Nets will, maybe, go for 5 to 6 billion, and the Knicks surely can't be twice as valuable without the arena tie in.

Also, the Commanders are really selling for $6 billion. I'm having trouble accepting any NBA team would sell for more than a top 8 NFL team.

the nets don't really have any fans ... the Knicks have millions

The Oklahoman
https://www.oklahoman.com › story › news › 2023/04/17
Apr 17, 2023 — “If we do move forward with another arena, it's anticipated Paycom will still be active, and still be utilized for concerts and other types ...

This is fairly recent ?

Personally, I hope not.

I can support a new arena as a large civics project that accommodates all kinds of events and I want to see any new arena's usage increase over Paycom. Creating a situation where the city maintains two large arenas, where one is primarily for one tenant and the other gets everything else seems wasteful. It also would be at the cost of not redeveloping the current Paycom site. Splitting events between two arenas just means the city owns two buildings, doubling the inventory of nights available. They'd have to have some indication that bookings would at least double to justify it, imo, and I don't see that happening.

The Thunder only plays 41 home games. 57 would be the max and only if they played to 7 games in every round of the playoffs and had home court advantage throughout. If everything else goes to another arena, that's 10 months of darkness at a brand new arena that cost several hindered million. I just can't see a need or justification for that.

I doubt we will know what's happening to Paycom when we vote, but if I knew they were planning on keeping Paycom, with the cost of maintaining and updating it as necessary, I think I'd be more reluctant to support it.

We need a new NBA arena, let's build it to the right specifications where it serves multiple events/sports especially the NBA, concerts and large gatherings.

The current Paycom Center could be used for ice hockey as well as large Rodeo events that exceed the capacity for the new 5,000 seat State Fair Coliseum.

Having two large arenas allows our city more flexibility with event scheduling. We have a lot of taxpayers' money ($190 million) invested in Paycom Center.

That's why IMO Oklahoma City needs a new arena that exceeds the current 18,203 capacity. An 18,500 minimum permanent seat NBA basketball arena should be more than adequate for our NBA franchise and other events.

Build a venue with an impressive exterior. Personally don't think the new arena will cost more than $1 billion. Anxious to see the plans proposed for a new arena and how it will be funded.

I hope they build the new arena specifically for basketball. Indiana Pacers’ arena was designed like that, and I think the new Clippers arena will be as well.

Personally, I hope not.

I can support a new arena as a large civics project that accommodates all kinds of events and I want to see any new arena's usage increase over Paycom. Creating a situation where the city maintains two large arenas, where one is primarily for one tenant and the other gets everything else seems wasteful. It also would be at the cost of not redeveloping the current Paycom site. Splitting events between two arenas just means the city owns two buildings, doubling the inventory of nights available. They'd have to have some indication that bookings would at least double to justify it, imo, and I don't see that happening.

The Thunder only plays 41 home games. 57 would be the max and only if they played to 7 games in every round of the playoffs and had home court advantage throughout. If everything else goes to another arena, that's 10 months of darkness at a brand new arena that cost several hindered million. I just can't see a need or justification for that.

I doubt we will know what's happening to Paycom when we vote, but if I knew they were planning on keeping Paycom, with the cost of maintaining and updating it as necessary, I think I'd be more reluctant to support it.

Right now all indications point to the old Cox Convention Center site, BUT, what if the new arena was built elsewhere in the city? Would Paycom Arena then make sense as a large venue next to the convention center and downtown hotels, Bricktown, CBD, etc as venue that could have multiple uses outside of an NBA team?

You are correct about operating two 18,000k seat arenas next to each other doesn't make much sense from a budget standpoint and because both arenas would be similar in size and general offerings, they would be competing directly against each other for events. Critics would argue that BOK Center in Tulsa has had a considerable number of concerts that didn't come to OKC, and one would guess conflicting dates with the Thunder schedule is why shows didn't stop at Paycom Center? There were huge differences between the Myriad and Ford Center when it was built in what the arena offered in both capacity and amenities.

Larger cities like Dallas (AA Center), LA (Former Staples Center), and New York (MSG) seem to make one venue work well and being able to turn different events quickly.

Right now all indications point to the old Cox Convention Center site, BUT, what if the new arena was built elsewhere in the city? Would Paycom Arena then make sense as a large venue next to the convention center and downtown hotels, Bricktown, CBD, etc as venue that could have multiple uses outside of an NBA team?

You are correct about operating two 18,000k seat arenas next to each other doesn't make much sense from a budget standpoint and because both arenas would be similar in size and general offerings, they would be competing directly against each other for events. Critics would argue that BOK Center in Tulsa has had a considerable number of concerts that didn't come to OKC, and one would guess conflicting dates with the Thunder schedule is why shows didn't stop at Paycom Center? There were huge differences between the Myriad and Ford Center when it was built in what the arena offered in both capacity and amenities.

Larger cities like Dallas (AA Center), LA (Former Staples Center), and New York (MSG) seem to make one venue work well and being able to turn different events quickly.

The prospect of the arena being built anywhere outside of downtown is so remote that it isn’t even worth discussing.

The current Paycom Center could be used for ice hockey as well as large Rodeo events that exceed the capacity for the new 5,000 seat State Fair Coliseum.


The new arena could and should be able to handle those events as well. In fact, most arenas in major markets do that exact thing. If we are not building a new arena that can and will handle a full schedule, then we shouldn't do it.

Critics would argue that BOK Center in Tulsa has had a considerable number of concerts that didn't come to OKC,

That would be an exaggeration. In fact, many many acts have been to both markets. There have been years when one gets more than the other, but I can't count the number of times someone here or offline laments a show being in Tulsa when they very same act had been to OKC within the last 2-5 years of the Tulsa event.


and one would guess conflicting dates with the Thunder schedule is why shows didn't stop at Paycom Center?

Given that the Thunder use the arena less than 18% of available dates in a given year, that wouldn't make a lot of sense. Every arena used by the NBA shares it with concerts, other events, and, often, other teams. If an event is choosing BOK over Paycom, it would rarely be because of the Thunder. There's just too many dates they don't play for that to make sense. I'd much rather have one great arena that is booked all the time, than two arenas: one really nice arena that is used less than 50 times a year and another similarly sized "cheap" arena to maintain and watch go the way the Myriad Arena in terms of upkeep and relevance.

That would be an exaggeration. In fact, many many acts have been to both markets. There have been years when one gets more than the other, but I can't count the number of times someone here or offline laments a show being in Tulsa when they very same act had been to OKC within the last 2-5 years of the Tulsa event.



Given that the Thunder use the arena less than 18% of available dates in a given year, that wouldn't make a lot of sense. Every arena used by the NBA shares it with concerts, other events, and, often, other teams. If an event is choosing BOK over Paycom, it would rarely be because of the Thunder. There's just too many dates they don't play for that to make sense. I'd much rather have one great arena that is booked all the time, than two arenas: one really nice arena that is used less than 50 times a year and another similarly sized "cheap" arena to maintain and watch go the way the Myriad Arena in terms of upkeep and relevance.

BOK has gotten Madonna, Ed Sheeran, U2, among many, many others, that have not been to OKC (Paycom). Mostly due to the fact the BOK can fit more trucks in their loading docks. That is a huge problem for the Paycom, and can't really be fixed, in a way that allows for the arena to keep up with the rest of the NBA.

We need a new NBA arena, let's build it to the right specifications where it serves multiple events/sports especially the NBA, concerts and large gatherings.

The current Paycom Center could be used for ice hockey as well as large Rodeo events that exceed the capacity for the new 5,000 seat State Fair Coliseum.

Having two large arenas allows our city more flexibility with event scheduling. We have a lot of taxpayers' money ($190 million) invested in Paycom Center.

That's why IMO Oklahoma City needs a new arena that exceeds the current 18,203 capacity. An 18,500 minimum permanent seat NBA basketball arena should be more than adequate for our NBA franchise and other events.

Build a venue with an impressive exterior. Personally don't think the new arena will cost more than $1 billion. Anxious to see the plans proposed for a new arena and how it will be funded.

Name me one city anywhere near OKCs size with 2 full-size arenas. I will wait. The cities like that are NYC, Chicago, Phoenix, LA, Bay Area, Atlanta, and MSP (closest to OKC, in terms of size), and that is about it. I might be missing one or 2, but none are OKC's size. Concerts aren't lining up in droves to come here, so a second arena wouldn't mean 2x the events. It would mean 2x the upkeep and maintenance and utilities costs. There is not a world where I hope OKC has 2 arenas after the new one is built.

Depeche Mode’s only Oklahoma stop in 43 years of being a band was Tulsa in 2018. I’m sure the BOK had something to do with that. Possible Thunder conflict had they made the playoffs (May 29th), but who knows.

Name me one city anywhere near OKCs size with 2 full-size arenas. I will wait. The cities like that are NYC, Chicago, Phoenix, LA, Bay Area, Atlanta, and MSP (closest to OKC, in terms of size), and that is about it. I might be missing one or 2, but none are OKC's size. Concerts aren't lining up in droves to come here, so a second arena wouldn't mean 2x the events. It would mean 2x the upkeep and maintenance and utilities costs. There is not a world where I hope OKC has 2 arenas after the new one is built.

You won't have to hold your breath :wink:

Memphis, The Pyramid


42 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,459,380
44 Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 1,332,305

You won't have to hold your breath :wink:

Memphis, The Pyramid


42 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,459,380
44 Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 1,332,305




New Orleans also if you count the Superdome. Right next door is the Smoothie King for basketball.

You won't have to hold your breath :wink:

Memphis, The Pyramid


42 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,459,380
44 Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 1,332,305



the pyramid is a bass pro shops and hotel (not a sports arena or any kind of arena) and has been since shortly after fedex forum opened ..

New Orleans also if you count the Superdome. Right next door is the Smoothie King for basketball.

i don't think football stadiums is what we are talking about

You won't have to hold your breath :wink:

Memphis, The Pyramid


42 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,459,380
44 Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 1,332,305



What on Earth are you talking about? I am still waiting for a reply answer, since this one is bad. Very bad.

The Pyramid is not an arena, hasn't been in 15 years.

I mean arenas. Not stadiums for NFL or MLB teams, but arenas. Not Bass Pro Shops inside former arenas, because we have a film studio inside one!

Name me one city anywhere near OKCs size with 2 full-size arenas. I will wait. The cities like that are NYC, Chicago, Phoenix, LA, Bay Area, Atlanta, and MSP (closest to OKC, in terms of size), and that is about it. I might be missing one or 2, but none are OKC's size. Concerts aren't lining up in droves to come here, so a second arena wouldn't mean 2x the events. It would mean 2x the upkeep and maintenance and utilities costs. There is not a world where I hope OKC has 2 arenas after the new one is built.

At this point, it seems it does make since to repurpose the Paycom Center. Compaq Center in Houston has been the home of Lakewood Church after an extensive renovation to the arena, I have no clue if LifeChurch anticipates that kind of growth. Kansas City took the old Kemper Arena after shifting everything to the Sprint Center and repurposed it into a multi-use youth basketball facility.

On the other hand....

Detroit moved both the NBA and NHL into Little Caesar's Arena a few years back.
The Red Wings were playing at Joe Louis Arena, which has been demolished.
The Pistons were at the Palace in Auburn Hills, which to my knowledge was in pretty decent shape, built in the late 80's, but served no purpose after the Pistons moved out.
...and of course when the NFL Lions moved from the Pontiac Silverdome to Ford Field, it was a complete disaster for the city of Pontiac in trying to repurpose the old Silverdome, to the point of eventually imploding it.

At this point, it seems it does make since to repurpose the Paycom Center. Compaq Center in Houston has been the home of Lakewood Church after an extensive renovation to the arena, I have no clue if LifeChurch anticipates that kind of growth. Kansas City took the old Kemper Arena after shifting everything to the Sprint Center and repurposed it into a multi-use youth basketball facility.

On the other hand....

Detroit moved both the NBA and NHL into Little Caesar's Arena a few years back.
The Red Wings were playing at Joe Louis Arena, which has been demolished.
The Pistons were at the Palace in Auburn Hills, which to my knowledge was in pretty decent shape, built in the late 80's, but served no purpose after the Pistons moved out.
...and of course when the NFL Lions moved from the Pontiac Silverdome to Ford Field, it was a complete disaster for the city of Pontiac in trying to repurpose the old Silverdome, to the point of eventually imploding it.

It makes sense to demolish it, and develop that lot. Having a megachurch downtown doesn't scream progress. And I doubt Lakewood would be in an arena if that arena were in downtown Houston, due to cost.

Again, OKC is not big enough to warrant 2 full-size, city-owned arenas. They would have to sell the Paycom Center for repurpose. And buying arenas is not a major business. It would be best for everyone to demo it, and sell the lot to a developer with big goals and deep pockets.

Repurposing an arena in a prime lot downtown screams mediocrity, to me. Kemper is outside downtown. All these comparisons are not equal, because this lot will be the most prime one in all of OKC, aside from MAYBE the Strawberry Fields area. Not in a suburb or outside the downtown area.

At this point, it seems it does make since to repurpose the Paycom Center. Compaq Center in Houston has been the home of Lakewood Church after an extensive renovation to the arena, I have no clue if LifeChurch anticipates that kind of growth. Kansas City took the old Kemper Arena after shifting everything to the Sprint Center and repurposed it into a multi-use youth basketball facility.

On the other hand....

Detroit moved both the NBA and NHL into Little Caesar's Arena a few years back.
The Red Wings were playing at Joe Louis Arena, which has been demolished.
The Pistons were at the Palace in Auburn Hills, which to my knowledge was in pretty decent shape, built in the late 80's, but served no purpose after the Pistons moved out.
...and of course when the NFL Lions moved from the Pontiac Silverdome to Ford Field, it was a complete disaster for the city of Pontiac in trying to repurpose the old Silverdome, to the point of eventually imploding it.

yeah, maybe eventually it makes sense for someone like Prairie Surf if they can get their sh*t together and stop hiring all of their interns for important shows. but, tbh, i like the idea of demoing it and having mixed-use, mid-rise residential there a lot more.

My point was to repurpose Paycom Center, once a new NBA arena is built as scottk suggests.

What is your point chssooner? Are you opposed to a new arena. Do you suggest demolition of the Paycom Center.

Just made a suggestion about other uses for he Paycom Center--how it could be used with the new OKC convention center.
Didn't mean for anyone to get all butt-hurt over a suggestion. Let's just cool it until we hear from our Mayor and the Thunder ownership group.

They did repurpose the Memphis Pyramid. Many in Memphis had the same concerns we are having about a new arena.

Anyone in opposition to a new arena?

My point was to repurpose Paycom Center, once a new NBA arena is built as scottk suggests.

What is your point chssooner? Are you opposed to a new arena. Do you suggest demolition of the Paycom Center.

Just made a suggestion about other uses for he Paycom Center--how it could be used with the new OKC convention center.
Didn't mean for anyone to get all butt-hurt over a suggestion. Let's just cool it until we hear from our Mayor and the Thunder ownership group.

They did repurpose the Memphis Pyramid. Many in Memphis had the same concerns we are having about a new arena.

Anyone in opposition to a new arena?

that wasn't your point you were 100% wrong, were called out and are now shifting ..

BoulderSooner, you need to go somewhere and sit down. This doesn't have anything to do with anyone being called out.

BTW Doesn't Louisville have two arenas: KFC Yum Arena and Freedom Hall. You want to address that BoulderSooner? Since
you are 'all in the mustard trying to ketchup.' :D

My point was to repurpose Paycom Center, once a new NBA arena is built as scottk suggests.

What is your point chssooner? Are you opposed to a new arena. Do you suggest demolition of the Paycom Center.

Just made a suggestion about other uses for he Paycom Center--how it could be used with the new OKC convention center.
Didn't mean for anyone to get all butt-hurt over a suggestion. Let's just cool it until we hear from our Mayor and the Thunder ownership group.

They did repurpose the Memphis Pyramid. Many in Memphis had the same concerns we are having about a new arena.

Anyone in opposition to a new arena?

New arena, tear down and develop the Paycom Center site. That is what I want.

The Pyramid is a cool, or at least visually stunning, building; the Paycom is not. Repurposing it would not be a win, IMO.

^ ^ ^ ^

Okay, chssonner, thanks for your reply.

Honestly, I don't claim to know what should be done with the Paycom Center once a new arena is built or what it
would cost to make it part of the new Oklahoma City Convention Center complex.

I do feel it could be used for ice hockey on the 'AA or AAA' level, used for rodeo events to large for the new State
Fair Coliseum and other large gatherings.

IMO it wouldn't sit well with the voters to demolish it considering we have $190 million invested in a 21 year old venue. I
realize Paycom Center will be close to 30 years old once a new arena is constructed.

Interesting take on Louisville's Freedom Hall: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Hall

https://do502.com/venues/freedom-hall

.

I think the majority would agree and be in support of a new arena, as it is the meal ticket required to keep the Thunder as an organization competitive in the NBA, and ownership happy with additional revenue streams. I think it has been established, "You want a seat at the table, you got to find a way to pay for it" within professional sports.

Where these other communities listed in previous post have the advantage over our setup, it would seem the older arenas still standing and in use, and the new arenas were not directly across the street from each other. There isn't much use for a 18k seat arena, with a better 18-20k seat arena across the street.

As someone jokingly mentioned, too bad we can't just move Paycom Center to the State Fair grounds or to Norman to replace LNC.

Didn’t Pete already mention somewhere that companies were inquiring about developing the Paycom space once the new arena gets built?

Didn’t Pete already mention somewhere that companies were inquiring about developing the Paycom space once the new arena gets built?

Nothing has happened for years on the ex dealership next door which is still parking lots, or the properties on the west side of the botanical gardens or new central park which are almost bare land, so it seems unlikely anything worth demolishing it is really happening soon.

^^^^^^^
You’ll be very surprised in that case. Paycom is toast, trust me.

BOK has gotten Madonna, Ed Sheeran, U2, among many, many others, that have not been to OKC (Paycom). Mostly due to the fact the BOK can fit more trucks in their loading docks. That is a huge problem for the Paycom, and can't really be fixed, in a way that allows for the arena to keep up with the rest of the NBA.

Ok. I donÂ’t think anyone posting here knows why those acts played BOK or whether the dock situation at Paycom had anything to do with those specific tours not booking Paycom, but itÂ’s a very very slim chance it had anything to do with paycom having the Thunder as an anchor tenant. In fact, it could actually be because BOK doesnÂ’t have an anchor tenant and needs those acts to make it viable, so it’s cheaper than any other arena of that size would normally be.

Also, there are major arena tours that have played paycom that havenÂ’t played BOK, too. But that doesnÂ’t matter in context of this conversation. What matters is that The Thunder being an anchor tenant does not prevent concerts booking the OKC arena from a scheduling or logistical standpoint. Certainly not to the extent that OKC needs two 17k+ arenas because the Thunder uses one of them 40 nights a year. That’s a crazy and unjustified idea.

The idea that Ed Sheeran, Madonna, or U2 didn’t play OKC on the specific tours you’re referencing because the Thunder plays at Paycom a couple of months a year makes no sense. I guarantee you that most comparable arenas those tours went to on that cycle played arenas with at least one major league sports team as an anchor tenet. Most of them probably had more than one, with at least 60 contractually committed dates a year.

Loading docks and other logistical limitations of Paycom may have been a reason a tour did not book it and that is just another reason to support a new arena, but it is not a reason to have two arenas of similar size in OKC.

Depeche Mode’s only Oklahoma stop in 43 years of being a band was Tulsa in 2018. I’m sure the BOK had something to do with that. Possible Thunder conflict had they made the playoffs (May 29th), but who knows.

Even if that is how it played out, is getting Depeche Mode one time in 43 years a reason to keep and maintain 2 arenas? And I guarantee you they didn’t avoid any arenas on that tour because those arenas had NBA teams.

The only time I’ve ever seen them was in an arena that had an NBA team as an anchor tenant. And it was during basketball season. And that was when Depeche Mode was touring on their second best selling album ever.

It’s just not an issue 87% of the time.

All I’m pointing out is that OKC does not miss concerts because the Thunder is here, at least not from a scheduling perspective, and it’s definitely not a reason to have and maintain two major arenas across the street from each other. And if your favorite band is playing in Tulsa, for whatever reason, go enjoy a nice evening in Tulsa seeing your favorite band. It’s a nice town and the arena there needs the tours. I guarantee you, there’s little chance you’d be missing a Thunder game in OKC.

There’s actually a better chance, at this point, you’d be missing some other show at a venue in OKC. Just not maybe Depeche Mode, I guess.