New Downtown Arena

[BG918]

The Spurs did that this past season. Played a couple of games in Austin toward the end. I think it was easier to do that since the Spurs were tanking pretty hard. Now San Antonio is in early talks of getting a new arena downtown.

But I agree, it’d be silly to have a regular season game in Tulsa

The Spurs are playing 4 regular season home games away from SA: 2 in Austin, 1 in Monterrey and 1 in Mexico City. Smart move if you ask me to expand their brand to Austin and into Mexico.

I’m fine with having the Thunder preseason game in Tulsa each year. It would be cool to have 1-2 “home” games in Tulsa where the Thunder has a huge fan base but I doubt that happens since the two cities are so close to each other.

[caaokc]

I could see Tulsa getting an NHL team. They support the Oilers pretty well

[Laramie]

The Spurs are playing 4 regular season home games away from SA: 2 in Austin, 1 in Monterrey and 1 in Mexico City. Smart move if you ask me to expand their brand to Austin and into Mexico.

I’m fine with having the Thunder preseason game in Tulsa each year. It would be cool to have 1-2 “home” games in Tulsa where the Thunder has a huge fan base but I doubt that happens since the two cities are so close to each other.

I have 'no problem' with the Thunder playing an annual NBA preseason game and four home games in Tulsa until the new NBA arena is built, then TBD.

Thunder have a large base of season tickets sold in Tulsa area and have 'sold out' all previous preseason games at the BOK Center.

The franchise average 15,000 last season, so any help with the franchise from Tulsa IMO would be appreciated.

The franchise is state supported reflected in the ownership group and fans throughout the state in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Lawton.

[Urbanized]

As a Thunder season ticket holder since day one - and a Hornets season ticket holder for two NBA seasons before the Thunder got here - I’ll pass on donating one, much less four, of my home games to another city, thanks.

[Laramie]

As a Thunder season ticket holder since day one - and a Hornets season ticket holder for two NBA seasons before the Thunder got here - I’ll pass on donating one, much less four, of my home games to another city, thanks.

Great support for the Hornets and Thunder, I understand why you wear that support with a badge of honor.

[Shortsyeararound]

As a Thunder season ticket holder since day one - and a Hornets season ticket holder for two NBA seasons before the Thunder got here - I’ll pass on donating one, much less four, of my home games to another city, thanks.

I agree with this and am not a season ticket holder. Okc was the winning city to get the Sonics/Thunder, which does benefit the state as a fan base, but sharing games with another city - no thanks. Playing a game overseas or Mexico, those things don’t bother me as it builds an international awareness, but the Okc Thunder should play in Okc forever. Sorry Tulsa.

[Pete]

Plus, of course, the City and its citizens highly supplement the Thunder through the arena, practice facility and other means.

[Bill Robertson]

I would think it would be OKC.

I cannot imagine the Thunder playing anywhere else besides Oklahoma City (assuming they don't pack up their bags and leave). The suburbs aren't big enough and do not have the charm and ambience to handle a major market basketball team like Los Angeles or Dallas could. Hitting the restaurants and bars downtown before the game adds to the experience.

Somewhat off topic, but I think playing a few regular home season games at the BoK would benefit the Thunder. It would allow Tulsans to feel more included.

And while I suport a new arena, I don't think the Paycom is that bad. I have been to other arenas with big market sports teams where the arena was far worse. Paycom is pretty good. But I understand having the Thunder is a tremendous net benefit to this state so I wholeheartedly support a new arena. As a young dad, it is a goal of mine to take my boys to a Thunder game someday.

Holt said Friday on the Animal interview that the location will definitely be downtown OKC.

[Laramie]

OKC-TUL probably represents 70% of the State's GDP.

Firm believer that a rising tide lifts both and all ships. Don't mean to get too far off the subject.

Beginning to see more potential developments being targeted for the TULSA. Haven't heard of anything like the possibility of a $2B Disneyland-sized theme park planned for Oklahoma since the news broke in the 70s about Seven Continents multi-million dollar theme park being proposed between OKC and TUL--never came to fruition.

And a $70 million amphitheater for OKC with Tulsa also on the list.

IMO, all for anything that benefits our state--be it Tulsa or Oklahoma City. A 91-mile modern turnpike separates Oklahoma's two largest cities, a modest drive within the state vs. Tulsa to Kansas City (271 miles) or Oklahoma City to Dallas (205 miles).

[Laramie]

Interesting read

OKC Thunder new arena should make fanbase rejoice: https://thunderousintentions.com/202...nbase-rejoice/

With the impending vote at the end of 2023, possible stadium renderings should not be far behind. This is an exciting day for Oklahoma City!

[Dob Hooligan]

Th economics of today's NBA make it more important that a team play all it's home games in their base arena. Until around 1990 a team was a tenant in a city arena and could pick up some needed cash by playing in an area city. Like the Celtics playing a couple three a year in Hartford Connecticut, which was pretty regular IIRC. Nowadays a team is the anchor tenant in a billion dollar public-private partnership, and playing in another town suggests the team is not doing well and the city is losing contractually required dates.

[shavethewhales]

I don't think anyone in Tulsa expects the Thunder to come up here to play. These days it is understood that you go to the team's city/stadium to see them play. The historical examples of teams traveling to different markets are just that - historical. Transportation has never been easier, and the price of tickets has risen so much that it's trivial to spend the money to drive down for a game for those that can still afford it.

Very curious to see what the final bill will be for this proposal and if the economics actually, and not theoretically, work out in OKC's favor. Gosh do people love handing money to sports teams.

[PhiAlpha]

Yeah I live in Tulsa but I have the same stance as I did in 2008…unless they’re going to chip in on the cost of the new arena, no regular season games should be played in Tulsa. You don’t have skin in the game…you don’t get games. Hell they can play the whole preseason in Tulsa if they want but as cool as it would be to have a game up the turnpike…there shouldn’t be any regular season games played outside of OKC.

[Laramie]

Can't wait to see some renderings and capacity size--especially the exterior and how it blends in with our skyline. From the mayor's address, more seats will be on the lower level with great site lines--so we know this arena will have at least two or possibly more levels.

More important is the understanding that voters will have a voice; much like they did with the Bricktown Ballpark, where they welcomed dialogue and input from the public after releasing several renderings.

The new arena will not be built to accommodate ice hockey. More events like concerts and gymnastics will fill out the calendar where this arena will have a solid booking of events throughout the year.

[Laramie]

Kentucky's Rupp Arena is basketball specific . . .

Would favor an exterior than blends more with our current convention center complex.

Food service and bar designs

[BoulderSooner]

rupp is an old outdated arena .... the new okc arena will be nothing like it

[April in the Plaza]

Rupp is a terrible arena aside the fact that it has an orange julius stand

[Laramie]

rupp is an old outdated arena .... the new okc arena will be nothing like it

Give us your examples of what would be idea for the new Oklahoma City arena development. Your time to shine Boulder Sooner, , ,

[SEMIweather]

Fiserv Forum, Fiserv Forum, and Fiserv Forum.

We are not going to take any design inspiration from an arena that opened in 1976 and has zero luxury suites.

[Laramie]

Fiserv Forum, Fiserv Forum, and Fiserv Forum.

We are not going to take any design inspiration from an arena that opened in 1976 and has zero luxury suites.

Agree on Fiserv Forum . . .

[April in the Plaza]

Fiserv Forum, Fiserv Forum, and Fiserv Forum.

We are not going to take any design inspiration from an arena that opened in 1976 and has zero luxury suites.

Exactly. FiServ Forum x Moody Center with a tribal/super cell thunderstorm twist.

[Bellaboo]

rupp is an old outdated arena .... the new okc arena will be nothing like it

Rupp has had a couple renovations in the last 5 years, so maybe not outdated as one would think.

[Laramie]

Exactly. FiServ Forum x Moody Center with a tribal/super cell thunderstorm twist.

Damit dude, you're speaking my language.


There are more than 44 suites — created with Matthew McConaughey's design influence — and nearly 2,000 club seats, three premium clubs, 57 loge boxes and one super VIP club: the Moët & Chandon Impérial

Good example, thanks for sharing . . . Love It!

[BG918]

I've always liked Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, built in 2017, and feel like something similar would fit in well on the Cox site




Imagine this all in blue/orange

[Laramie]

Rupp has had a couple renovations in the last 5 years, so maybe not outdated as one would think.

Agree, looking more at the sight lines, closeness to the court and concession options. Also the fact that OKC will have the NBA's first 'basketball specific arena.'