All I'm saying is, just because "lots of other cities" finance their teams with a tax on everyone, doesn't mean we have to.

I am someone who would actually go to an NBA game. I went to a few Hornets games. I had a great time. I hope, hope, hope that the Sonics (or whoever) are able to call OKC home.

I understand the Ford Center is a city-owned building and that NBA upgrades are needed. I am just so against wealthy businessmen passing the buck onto us. If they really are the philanthropists we think they are and have such civic pride because OKC is "major league" now, then why don't they provide the financing.

And as I said earlier, why don't we ask the biggest beneficiaries of an NBA move to chip in? MidFirst, Chesapeake, Devon, BOk, OGE, Mathis Bros., The Oklahoman, Hilton Skirvin, Renaissance, Marriott, Bricktown Restaurant Owners...

Even if we DO get an NBA team, everybody who paid the taxes to get the upgrades will still have to buy a ticket to get in!

And the comments here that imply the NBA is not a profitable business, and that owners are supporting NBA out of sheer love for the game is nostalgic, but ridiculous. If the NBA isn't a profitable, then that's even one more reason that public money shouldn't be thrown at an upgrade expressly for the NBA.