Their primary funding source is sales tax and why they have to spread things out.

They could issue a revenue bond to get the money upfront and then pay interest, but that seems unlikely.

Makes sense.

This is really exciting! So... when can I buy my tickets? :p

It's far too early to make these types of assumptions.

The athletes could very easily go to LA for the opening ceremonies and other events, then take a plane to OKC.


Also, softball isn't even part of Paris and probably was only added to LA28 after they had a general agreement with OKC; remember, it wasn't added to 2028 until last fall well after we reported on some events coming here. In other words, without OKC the 'full Olympic experience' for softball players would amount to their sport not being represented at all and them sitting at home.

In fact, softball has only been a part of the games 5 times (out of 35) and only once in the last 4.

This is true. And honestly, showing the sport to the world in a larger dedicated venue is probably better for the sport overall than having it in a venue 1/5 the size or shoe horning it into a baseball stadium. She also mentioned using the LA games as an excuse to build another large softball stadium. But this would go against the IOCs recent focus on sustainability, which, honestly, is a major reason that OKC is getting these two events. And I feel like if there was interest in a 12k+ capacity softball facility in Los Angeles, it would already exist, or at least be in the works.

I don't want to discount the "athlete experience" she's advocating for, but she's also kind of advocating for compromising the game itself at the Olympics to accommodate that experience. Short of someone coming up with around $40 million (probably more in LA) to build a venue specifically because of LA28, a compromised venue is what it would take to play the games in LA.

Hopefully, as you said, all the athletes that compete in Oklahoma City will also be able to take part in at least ceremonial events in LA. They may even get to do some of that twice.

It's far too early to make these types of assumptions.

The athletes could very easily go to LA for the opening ceremonies and other events, then take a plane to OKC.


Also, softball isn't even part of Paris and probably was only added to LA28 after they had a general agreement with OKC; remember, it wasn't added to 2028 until last fall well after we reported on some events coming here. In other words, without OKC the 'full Olympic experience' for softball players would amount to their sport not being represented at all and them sitting at home.

In fact, softball has only been a part of the games 5 times (out of 35) and only once in the last 4.

It takes time to hop a red eye flight back to OKC and then back to LA for the closing ceremony. Some games and events may be immediately before or after. Also, she is looking at from a young athlete point of view. Its been well documented that there is a lot of partying and hooking up that takes place between events at the Olympic village.

But yeah, that last part is very true. OKC should be awarded for supporting softball after years of investment.

It takes time to hop a red eye flight back to OKC and then back to LA for the closing ceremony. Some games and events may be immediately before or after. Also, she is looking at from a young athlete point of view. Its been well documented that there is a lot of partying and hooking up that takes place between events at the Olympic village.

But yeah, that last part is very true. OKC should be awarded for supporting softball after years of investment.

Most athletes don't go to the closing ceremony; the opening is a much bigger deal.

Regardless, Nicole and everyone else should be thanking OKC for making Olympic softball possible, not complaining about things that are far from being decided.

Amen, Pete! Not to mention the upgrades/additions that will will be made to Devon Park will benefit numerous WCWS athletes for years to come after the 2028 Olympics.

One thing to keep in mind when talking about upgrades is where is the funding for those upgrades? The city may have been pursuing this for several years, but the funding doesn't just appear out of thin air once we get the events.

I would say “wow!” but that would be an understatement.
This is beyond huge. Pete really hit this out of the park with his reporting and confidence that this day would actually happen. Softball too? Icing.

A couple of things —
-The whole inside joke on the board about what could make Dallas and KC jealous?
I think this just did.

-There are a handful of people (especially three or four that I can think of) who will get their negativity in here on OKCTalk one way or another, even if it’s subtle. Ignore it. Nothing can beat June 21, 2024 and the announcement that Olympic events will be hosted in Oklahoma City. Typing those words don’t even seem real.

What an absolute coup, my goodness.

Amen, Pete! Not to mention the upgrades/additions that will will be made to Devon Park will benefit numerous WCWS athletes for years to come after the 2028 Olympics.

Maybe they can build an awning at Devon Park. Aren't the Olympics usually in July? It's going to be scorching hot.

Nicole Mendes, former OU softball player, on X/Twitter has been extremely negatively vocal about the Olympics being in OKC and the athletes not getting the full Olympic experience. Not defending her, just answering your question.

The Atlanta 1996 Olympics softball was not held in Atlanta, but in Columbus Georgia. IIRC the attendance was horrible.

Maybe they will finally add showers in the ladies locker rooms in Devon Park ijs.

One thing to keep in mind when talking about upgrades is where is the funding for those upgrades? The city may have been pursuing this for several years, but the funding doesn't just appear out of thin air once we get the events.

My understanding is the complete funding package has not been identified, even though as part of this deal OKC is assuming any loss that may result.

I did see just last week that the annual subsidy to Riversport jumped from $1.2 million to over $5 million. So between now and then, that's an additional $16 million (4 years) right out of the gate.

A huge part of Olympic funding is corporate sponsorships and it's far too early to know how that is going to play out.

Beyond that, the City has shown great creativity in moving money around when it's needed: GOLT bonds, TIF's, a whole bevy of different economic improvement funds, and simply writing things into the annual budget.

Devon's recent sponsorship of the softball park will bring additional income, even if their name can't be on the facility during the games.

I'm not even sure who is going to be coordinating this effort. Maybe David Todd since he's become the MAPS guru? Certainly someone will have to make this their full-time job. I'm certain the Chamber and CVB will be heavily involved.

Also, maybe the big jump in hotel tax scheduled for a summer vote will be partially allocated to this project.

The Atlanta 1996 Olympics softball was not held in Atlanta, but in Columbus Georgia. IIRC the attendance was horrible.
And in the minds of most — it was still in Atlanta, since Columbus is only an hour or so away. that happens all the time. This is four states away and a huge deal for OKC. Softball is a far far more popular sport in the U.S. compared to 1996.

The media is quickly picking this up…the word is spreading.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/06/21/oklahoma-city-olympics-2026-canoe-softball/74171022007/

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/21/la-olympics-2028-venue-changes-swimming-gymnastics

https://www.si.com/olympics/oklahoma-city-to-host-softball-other-events-for-2028-los-angeles-olympics

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/06/21/2028-los-angeles-olympics-softball-oklahoma-city/

In other words, without OKC the 'full Olympic experience' for softball players would amount to their sport not being represented at all and them sitting at home.


Ouch! Game, set , match to Pete!

L.A. 28 chairman and president Casey Wasserman said that canoers and softball players will be able to attend either the opening or closing Ceremonies so they won’t feel left out of events in L.A. while they are in Oklahoma. (Washington Post)

Oddly, this announcement will only help the other 3 towers to get built, which is by far the most important thing.


Get ready for much more publicity about OKC being the next hot city. It is a very strong argument.

Makes me wonder if this is some of what Matteson was talking about. Yes, we know OKC is the next big and upcoming city; but to justify a supertall as the tallest in the country/western hemisphere? He must have knew that OKC was hot at getting this major world event, along with the other HUGE investments the city is making/attracting. It is very interesting at the timing of all of this (if we could have also got rowing too [maybe still can]).

But I wont be greedy :). This is bigger than the Thunder/NBA from the prospective of audience/world event hosting - a cachet that even NY and Chicago still don't have. So happy we will be forever linked with Global City LA like the mayor said!

So happy for my hometown, O-K-C!

The new arena might just be in the picture as well. If completed, great place for telecommunication, news networks, media operations, transportation and other information etc.

and OKC Ribbon celebrations! Maybe OKC could be part of the Opening/Closing ceremonies, not sure how the co-host participates in that. ...

Haven't seen any real negativity in the press, online, or in any meetings I've been in. There is no measurable resistance to this of which you post. Who's been negative? This city's citizens are great supporters of events like this. Even years ago when we had Olympic trials here the support was great. I remember going to Norman for ceremonies in a sold out OU stadium.

I was in Norman for that also but that wasn't for Olympic trials. It was when the US for a short time had and "Olympic Festival which was held 2 years after and before the regular Olympic games.

The statement from the OKC Chamber of Commerce.


RE: Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Guarantee Related to the 2028
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Dear Mayor Bass, Council President Krekorian, Ad Hoc Committee Chair Park, City
Attorney Feldstein Soto, City Administrative Officer Szabo, and Chief Legislative Analyst
Tso:
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (the “Chamber”) is pleased to
support the City of Los Angeles as host of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the
“Games”). The Chamber shares with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles
Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028 (“LA28”) the desire
that the Games be organized in the best possible manner and take place under the most
favorable conditions for the benefit of the City of Los Angeles and other relevant
stakeholders.
The Chamber hereby represents and confirms to the City of Los Angeles that it has signed a
legally binding agreement in connection with LA28’s proposal to assign Softball and Canoe
Slalom competitions in venues located in the City of Oklahoma City. The agreement
provides that (a) the Chamber shall assume all financial risk associated with hosting the
Canoe Slalom and Softball competitions for the Games and (b) the Chamber understands
that any financial backstop, guarantee, or contingency provided or required by the City of
123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 • p: 405.297.8900 • f: 405.297.8916 • www.okcchamber.com
Los Angeles and/or the State of California for the Games shall not apply to the Chamber, the
City of Oklahoma City, or any other applicable venue, organization, local, regional, state
government, or private institution supporting the delivery of Canoe Slalom and/or Softball
in the City of Oklahoma City. These terms, together with the other terms of the August 18,
2023 agreement, will be incorporated into a long-form agreement to be entered into by LA28
and the Chamber upon confirmation that the Softball and Canoe Slalom competitions will
take place in the City of Oklahoma City.
The Chamber also agrees to take all appropriate measures in an endeavor to assist the City
of Los Angeles and LA28 in completely fulfilling their obligations under the Host City
Contract and other relevant agreements with the International Olympic Committee (“IOC”)
with respect to Games events and activities that will take place in the City of Oklahoma
City.
The Chamber looks forward to supporting the City of Los Angeles as Host City and LA28 to
successfully deliver the competitions of Canoe Slalom and Softball in the City of Oklahoma
City.
Sincerely,
THE GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.

i was in norman for that also but that wasn't for olympic trials. It was when the us for a short time had and "olympic festival which was held 2 years after and before the regular olympic games.
ok89

ok89

yep... this was on the water tower at hefner road and portland until just a couple years ago. might be time to repaint it.

18939

The softball hall of fame is here. What are the chances to pull that event as well? That would huge!

Major props to this poster who had the first suggestion of softball that I could find.

I was in Norman for that also but that wasn't for Olympic trials. It was when the US for a short time had and "Olympic Festival which was held 2 years after and before the regular Olympic games.
Yes, you are correct. I stand corrected. It was very successful here.

Maybe the city could host a mini extravaganza at the new arena for its own Olympic walk for the athletes competing here. Use OK performers as entertainment…. We have many.

It is incorrect to state the proposed arena in Norman does not have a sales tax compnent. There are 2 TIFS proposed for that project. One captures property taxes the other sales taxes.

It doesn’t raise anyone’s sales tax, like MAPS does. Again, hopefully Norman voters figure out that adding a new venue for sports, concerts and other events, plus new retail, dining and hotel rooms will be a net gain to that city’s economic development and lifestyle amenities.

Very, very cool. This is the sort of publicity you can't buy - fantastic news for OKC and the state.

Excited to see how this momentum serves the city over the next 4 years- I think this could really propel OKC up into being a Tier 3 city. Can't wait!

Tier 3, OKC was already at the top of that tier and is becoming a strong Tier 2 city; especially with this announcement.

I think one of the stipulations of being on a tiered city list is that you have a metro population of no less than 2 million. OKC may have the city, the pro sports venue, a number of QoL boxes ticked off, but not quite the density.

I think one of the stipulations of being on a tiered city list is that you have a metro population of no less than 2 million. OKC may have the city, the pro sports venue, a number of QoL boxes ticked off, but not quite the density.

There does not seem to be a huge consensus of what makes up a tier or who is in them, sure one source may make clear definitions but not all either do or at least did not convey those all clearly in published material.

https://www.canoeicf.com/sites/default/files/styles/top_image_1300/public/news-top-images/la28_rendering_whitewater_center_in_oklahoma_city_ ok_06_21_24_disclaimer_landscape.jpg?itok=xLE94IHP

Amazing . . .





Honestly it's the first time I've ever had any interest in the sport. I'll watch it just because it's here! Very cool.

Tier 3, OKC was already at the top of that tier and is becoming a strong Tier 2 city; especially with this announcement.

I love OKC’s momentum, but I don’t see this. I think being Tier 3 is a great thing considering OKC is 42nd in MSA population. There’s a lot of big cities out there.

Obviously this is debatable: but this is a rough list I’ve seen several places. I think it puts OKC in a great spot.

Didn’t put every city - but you’ll get the picture.
Tier 1 (International Influential Cities)

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Washington DC
Boston
San Francisco
Seattle
Dallas
Houston

Tier 2 (National Influential Cities)

Detroit
Minneapolis
Phoenix
Denver
Baltimore
Portland
St. Louis
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Cincinnati
Columbus
Charlotte
Las Vegas
Austin
Sacramento


Tier 3 (Regionally Influential)

Nashville
Sacramento
Indianapolis
Tampa
Orlando
Salt Lake City
Raleigh
Oklahoma City
Honolulu
San Antonio
New Orleans
Richmond

OKC still needs a lot more population/corporations/universities to bump up to tier 2. I was in KC this weekend, and the density and wealth was surprising. There are so many headquarters there.

I love OKC’s momentum, but I don’t see this. I think being Tier 3 is a great thing considering OKC is 42nd in MSA population. There’s a lot of big cities out there.

Obviously this is debatable: but this is a rough list I’ve seen several places. I think it puts OKC in a great spot.

Didn’t put every city - but you’ll get the picture.
Tier 1 (International Influential Cities)

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Washington DC
Boston
San Francisco
Seattle
Dallas
Houston

Tier 2 (National Influential Cities)

Detroit
Minneapolis
Phoenix
Denver
Baltimore
Portland
St. Louis
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Cincinnati
Columbus
Charlotte
Las Vegas
Austin
Sacramento


Tier 3 (Regionally Influential)

Nashville
Sacramento
Indianapolis
Tampa
Orlando
Salt Lake City
Raleigh
Oklahoma City
Honolulu
San Antonio
New Orleans
Richmond

OKC still needs a lot more population/corporations/universities to bump up to tier 2. I was in KC this weekend, and the density and wealth was surprising. There are so many headquarters there.

There are no new universities. Lol. So those aren't happening. Maybe improvements to current ones, but there are no new ones.

I agree on the population part. But I disagree on the KC vs Nashville part. Might switch them. Nashville has much bigger corporations, and better universities. Not sure on the population, but I think you might switch them.

There are no new universities. Lol. So those aren't happening. Maybe improvements to current ones, but there are no new ones.

I agree on the population part. But I disagree on the KC vs Nashville part. Might switch them. Nashville has much bigger corporations, and better universities. Not sure on the population, but I think you might switch them.

That’s fair - part of the reason why legacy east coast cities have such an intellectual advantage. Pittsburgh alone has something like 15-20 universities. Most of them old and well established.

You’re probably right re: Nashville.

Major props to this poster who had the first suggestion of softball that I could find.

*Bows*

*Bows*

The legend returns!

Any estimates on the economic impact/attendance for these events? I'm ignorant of what all goes into canoe slalom for past Olympics and what all it entails.

Any estimates on the economic impact/attendance for these events? I'm ignorant of what all goes into canoe slalom for past Olympics and what all it entails.

It may be a bit hard to compare directly for this sports, since this looks like is the first time since it has been in the Olympics that the course was not built for that years games, and building it likely is a decent percentage of direct impacts on the local economy. Though with most in or near host city region, we may get more PR value than average.

Imagine winning an NBA championship in June, and then hosting the Olympics in July.

Imagine that city was OKC.

Imagine winning an NBA championship in June, and then hosting the Olympics in July.

Imagine that city was OKC.

18950

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.erRFCzuFLWFXFpZN30QY1wHaEH&pid=Api&P=0&h=220

Indianapolis is more of a Tier 2 convention city IMO. Indy has a 1,005 room J. W. Marriott luxury hotel.

That’s fair - part of the reason why legacy east coast cities have such an intellectual advantage.
Yeah, it's pretty easy to have that advantage when you've basically had a 200 year head start. The only reason why places like LA, San Fran, and Seattle have those similar advantages is because:
A. The cities planned for the implementation of higher learning environments ahead of time.
B. They station themselves on the coast, where immigration occurs frequently.
C. Businesses startups flock to those locations because of that international access.
D. Tax codes are somewhat mutually beneficial to both the businesses and the state.
E. Proximity to other larger cities provide a more optimized commute between them.
F. Population density swelled because of all of the factors above, thus birthing more of those with differing opinions and ideas challenging one another in daily living, opening more minds to broader perspectives.
G. Grading scales for schools there are a lot stricter (Virginia Beach Public School grading scales, for example, rate 100-94=A, 93-86=B, 85-78=C, 77-70=D, 69-0=E/F)

And being that the east coast has so many of those large population centers connected by both car and rail proves to be a greater advantage over most other places. It's so coordinated that the northeast is basically a large megalopolis of cities continuously feeding into one another, further adding to competition and intellectual enlightenment.

So it's only natural that OKC falls short of that benchmark, especially when many towns around the state didn't get founded until the late 1800's, vs cities that got their start in the early-to-mid 1600's. A two hundred year head start is a pretty devastating disadvantage.

18950

Assuming this is still the state logo in 2028, If they don’t make some kind of graphic converting this to Olympic rings then they’re doing it wrong lol. All the same colors are in there.

Here ya go!

18951

Here is Mike Tirico interviewing Casey Wasserman (https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/olympics/2028-los-angeles-olympics-update-with-mike-tirico-and-casey-wasserman), who led the LA28 bid, and who now serves as president Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. He briefly mentions OKC at the :29 mark.

18950

Every time I see a state vehicle or a state sign, I shake my head that we used a Clipart image from the 1998 CD ROM of CorelDraw as our state logo.

Unpopular opinion but I don't hate the logo. That said, I think everything related to this olympics should focus as heavily as possible on Oklahoma City, rather than the state of Oklahoma. Similar to the Thunder intentionally being the OKC Thunder rather than the OK Thunder, this should be a celebration of the strides our city has made to get to this point, not the state.

Unpopular opinion but I don't hate the logo. That said, I think everything related to this olympics should focus as heavily as possible on Oklahoma City, rather than the state of Oklahoma. Similar to the Thunder intentionally being the OKC Thunder rather than the OK Thunder, this should be a celebration of the strides our city has made to get to this point, not the state.

Especially since the OKC Chamber is taking the financial risk, the people of OKC have paid for the facilities that made this possible (similar to the Thunder), and because OKC will be putting even more money into all this. I do think the state will come up with some money, but city residents have already made most of the investment. Few realize the city subsidizes Riversport to the tune of $5 million a year.

Any success in OKC is almost in spite of the rest of the state dragging us down.

Any success in OKC is almost in spite of the rest of the state dragging us down.

Preach.

Especially since the OKC Chamber is taking the financial risk, the people of OKC have paid for the facilities that made this possible (similar to the Thunder), and because OKC will be putting even more money into all this. I do think the state will come up with some money, but city residents have already made most of the investment. Few realize the city subsidizes Riversport to the tune of $5 million a year.

Any success in OKC is almost in spite of the rest of the state dragging us down.

I doubt the official media recommendation for location was ever going to be anything other than Oklahoma City, the Olympics seem strict on sticking with city names, with the other reference to location recommended while talking about events here as being part of the LA games in general.

I doubt the official media recommendation for location was ever going to be anything other than Oklahoma City, the Olympics seem strict on sticking with city names, with the only other reference while talking about events here as being part of the LA games in general.

Right, just saying that the only reason this is happening at all is due to OKC investing in itself, as well as the efforts of Mayor Holt (tight with LA28 leader Garcetti) and Mike Knopp (built relationships with the international canoe/kayak community).

The State had zero to do with any of this, at least as far as I know.


Really, think about where Oklahoma would be without the heroic efforts of OKC. I wish OKC could secede from the state and just do our own thing.

Amen!

Any success in OKC is almost in spite of the rest of the state dragging us down.

Should be OKC's official slogan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTThofbmhX4

Especially since the OKC Chamber is taking the financial risk, the people of OKC have paid for the facilities that made this possible (similar to the Thunder), and because OKC will be putting even more money into all this. I do think the state will come up with some money, but city residents have already made most of the investment. Few realize the city subsidizes Riversport to the tune of $5 million a year.

Any success in OKC is almost in spite of the rest of the state dragging us down.

5,000,000%. Without OKC's metro growth, the tribes, and to a much lesser extent, the Tulsa metro area, this state would be circling the drain. It's the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be the LA Olympics hosted in Oklahoma City.

Between the 2010 and 2020 census, Oklahoma grew by 208,000.

During the same period, the OKC MSA grew by 173,000. Pretty much says it all.

5,000,000%. Without OKC's metro growth, the tribes, and to a much lesser extent, the Tulsa metro area, this state would be circling the drain. It's the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be the LA Olympics hosted in Oklahoma City.

Tinker's growth and importance has a ton to do with the County and the State .. and it is huge for OKC

Tinker's growth and importance has a ton to do with the County and the State .. and it is huge for OKC

Oklahoma County bought the old GM plant and that was a huge part of the growth. And the City owns all the surrounding land where the rest of the expansion has happened and is planned.

The state offered some incentives and the City and County many more, but almost all the major funding came at the federal level. I realize local politicians helped secure that funding.

Oklahoma County bought the old GM plant and that was a huge part of the growth. And the City owns all the surrounding land where the rest of the expansion has happened and is planned.

The state offered some incentives and the City and County many more, but almost all the major funding came at the federal level. I realize local politicians helped secure that funding.

agree ... and you are correct about the federal role ... I for sure was including that in the state effort..

Between the 2010 and 2020 census, Oklahoma grew by 208,000.

During the same period, the OKC MSA grew by 173,000. Pretty much says it all.

Wow. Pretty amazing statistic. Would have thought it would have been more evenly split between OKC and Tulsa.