New Downtown Arena

[SEMIweather]

Yea, not sure if Love’s will ever go along with it but it would be 10x better if their patch was monochromatic and worked to complement the various jerseys

Just using their secondary logo would constitute a huge improvement.

[Zuplar]

And here I thought it was pretty common for people to not like the orange color for the Thunder, at least with the people I regularly talk sports with that seems to be the common opinion. I've wanted to simplify our colors from the get go. I was hoping that this years Summer League uni's were going to be indicative of what the uni's would be this upcoming, because they did drop the orange from at least the white ones. (I couldn't find a picture of the blue ones from Summer League)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nichola...h=6e8d221973cf

Anyways I'd love a refresh, as the Thunder brand has never been really strong. I got to imagine it would also help boost sales because a lot of people have reluctantly bought Thunder gear mostly to support the team, not because they love the branding. I'd love to see the Thunder do such a stellar job that people from OKC that aren't even sports fan want to buy the gear because they like representing the city, similar to how people will do for LA or NYC.

[Laramie]

Our 5 year lease agreement with Prairie Surf Media started in January 2021 ends January 2026:

In December 2020 the Oklahoman reported:

The lease is for five years with three one-year extension options. It calls for stepped-up lease payments from Prairie Surf starting at $150,000 for the first and second years, $300,000 for the third year, $450,000 for the fourth year, $600,000 for the fifth year, and $825,000 plus all utility costs in excess of $1.1 million for each annual extension option.

Looks like OKC is locked into this lease until January 2026. Sounds as if OKC has no intentions of renewing this lease if PSM is the site.

If all is approved according to the survey, earliest the demo could begin February 2026--take up to three months and construction of a new arena begin sometime around June 2026.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^
Demolition of PSM would take closer to a year. There are significant mechanicals relocations that must take place before they even touch that building.

[Pete]

^

That Oklahoman article was/is completely wrong.

These are the numbers directly from their lease with the City:

[Shortsyeararound]

Last post from me on the logo- I agree with Pete about the middle schools design. I mean “Thunder” just spelled out is so basic and looks worse because of the font. Want inspiration- look to the Dodgers with their OKLA logo (genius)! To the poster that mentioned the “orange” - I’m ok with Thunder orange- haha!

[Laramie]

Thanks for the correction and update Pete.

Can't wait to see the PSM site cleared and construction on the new arena.

[Pete]

^

Right, the Dodgers and even the hapless Energy have infinitely better branding. I literally can't think of worse branding for any sports team at any level, including lower-level colleges and most high schools.

I remember when the first images of the logos leaked and the unanimous reaction was that it had to be a hoax. That was 15 years ago and here we are.


I know it was all designed by Ackerman McQueen and I have this very strong image of their employees and the multiple Thunder owners -- like 20 people -- all in a room trying to reach a consensus and after months and months of getting nowhere, they defaulted to what we have now due to sheer fatigue and total loss of will. And now no one dares to restart that trauma, so they just let everything ride despite the embarrassing state of things.

[TheTravellers]

^

Right, the Dodgers and even the hapless Energy have infinitely better branding. I literally can't think of worse branding for any sports team at any level, including lower-level colleges and most high schools.

I remember when the first images of the logos leaked and the unanimous reaction was that it had to be a hoax. That was 15 years ago and here we are.


I know it was all designed by Ackerman McQueen and I have this very strong image of their employees and the multiple Thunder owners -- like 20 people -- all in a room trying to reach a consensus and after months and months of getting nowhere, they defaulted to what we have now due to sheer fatigue and total loss of will. And now no one dares to restart that trauma, so they just let everything ride despite the embarrassing state of things.

Don Draper needs to step in...

[HOT ROD]

I think the proposal is great but I also have a few thoughts.

The Cox site is huge and definitely has room for more than just the arena. City demos and builds the world class arena. However, parcels around the arena on the block could be sold to developer(s) (including possibly Thunder ownership) to redevelop into the LA Live type of development. The city could recover some of the MAPS cost and/or use some of the funds toward other MAPS projects if there's a huge winfall. My only fear is that this interferes with the Dream Hotel site but it's about time OKC has some speculative high rise residential development.

Interstingly, the survey didn't mention TIF (perhaps due to Dream Hotel/Residential upcoming, but still). I'd venture that a $200m TIF would shave off two years of the extension, making 4 year more palatable and we'd not have to wait so long for MAPS 5. If any project deserves TIF it is this one, where the OKC taxpayers are more or less the 'developers' footing the bill.

I wish the ownership could contribute at least 10% of the total costs package. We don't exactly know what that is but it'd serve as HUGE goodwill to the city if they stepped up once again in this very meaningful and visible way. $100m isn't that for off from $75m that was 'mentioned' in the survey, hopefully they can get it done even just for the goodwill/skin in the game and perhaps in return get to develop part of the site such as the Thunder Alley component.

Not at all concerned about Prarie Surf, they can easily be relocated (even to Crossroads Mall, which was my original idea or as someone mentioned a new building at the Dell campus). The numbers already show the city has a losing lease with them, again - goodwill could be shown with PSM graciously exiting the lease early so the city can quickly begin demolition. Imagine if this happens next year, PSM gets new or relocated digs and the city begins hard demo.

Very excited about this and will certainly add my two cents when we visit. My only other concern has to do with the potential impact to the RTA added to the sales tax, hopefully this will encourage the state legislature to open new revenue sources for rail/rapid transit other than just sales tax, including how other metros do it (property tax, gas tax, vehicle tab fees, etc). I can not imagine the OKC sales tax going up from 8.8% with the Maps extension to what 10% with a permanent RTA tax. Let's get the authority for the RTA to be able to tax other sources to spread the load.

[gopokes88]

I think it’s alright even if it’s bland. Kinda in the suns and heat realm.

Lots of nba teams logo’s and brands don’t make since anyway. The Utah jazz. Memphis Grizzlies. Lakers. Kings. Hawks.

[Urbanized]

The adjoining parcels won't be sold to developers...they will be part of the development. One of the major driving factors behind this arena is to provide best-practices state-of-the-art ancillary revenue streams for the team over the course of the next long term lease. Those parcels will belong to the Thunder.

[caaokc]

Does anyone know if Populous is doing the design? I’m only guessing because they did Fiserv and the city toured that. I know that’s sort of a stretch

[April in the Plaza]

Does anyone know if Populous is doing the design? I’m only guessing because they did Fiserv and the city toured that. I know that’s sort of a stretch

Almost certainly. They did the convention center and were selected for the MAPS 4 paycom upgrades

[Dob Hooligan]

In regards to rebranding. Yes, I see rebrand as changing the team name. I think pro basketball was more active earlier than other North American leagues about changing uniforms and other marketable team items. Seems to me that the changeover from Adidas to Nike on uniform design and marketing has energized the choices for consumers. Every team is going to have a couple new uniforms each year.

However...that has also led to league office and Nike control of team branding to be much more centralized. Icon, City and other uniform designs are made sure to fit the league wide goals. Ackerman-McQueen might have designed the original Thunder logo, but I don't think any local agencies are as involved with individual team identities as they were in the past.

[Teo9969]

So it sounds like owners are agreeing to pay the interest on borrowing costs? That's roughly the amount we could anticipate in borrowing costs for this project.

Can the city use MAPS funds to put a hotel on site? I can't recall of the OMNI deal was any subsidy or just TIF subsidy.

[unfundedrick]

the clippers new arena that opens in 2024-2025 season is at 2 billion and counting ...

Compare the price of anything built in the LA area with OKC and get back to me.

[BoulderSooner]

but I don't think any local agencies are as involved with individual team identities as they were in the past.

teams have 100% of the control of their branding ..

[AnguisHerba]

So it sounds like owners are agreeing to pay the interest on borrowing costs? That's roughly the amount we could anticipate in borrowing costs for this project.

Can the city use MAPS funds to put a hotel on site? I can't recall of the OMNI deal was any subsidy or just TIF subsidy.

It would be hilarious and very OKC if the team were covering the financing costs but one of the owner's businesses, say MidFirst Bank, was financing it.

[Laramie]

New renderings have been revealed of 76 Place, a proposed new $1.3 billion arena for the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team.


The 20,000-seat arena that will anchor the district will cost around $1 billion to build and, although there is no sports team currently connected to the venue, Las Vegas has been strongly linked to an NBA basketball franchise in the past.


Looking forward, the City of Calgary will begin formal discussions on definitive agreements with all parties, which is expected to be underway through spring and summer 2023. The project team is preparing to begin the design and development of the event centre, as well as the supporting infrastructure in the area.


Plans have been outlined for a new $1 billion arena in Atlanta that could host an NHL ice hockey franchise in the future.



Tempe voters have rejected the development of a $2.1 billion arena and entertainment district for the Arizona Coyotes, with the long-term future of the NHL ice hockey franchise again in doubt.

Any update to the above arenas. . .

Oklahoma City IMO is in a decent position with its survey. Following the results of the survey and possible designs for a new arena--Oklahoma City voters will have a clear vision of a future NBA arena with the Oklahoma City Thunder as anchor tenant.

[ChaseDweller]

I've asked this question before, but it's worth bringing up again.

Why are some opposed to building an arena for an NBA team but perfectly fine with building a convention center and a coliseum for the use of various industries and horse shows? Both are beneficial to for profit businesses, often owned by very wealthy folks, and both generate rental income and economic and reputational impact to the city. I'm not trying to troll here, I'm seriously asking why the different attitude for two seemingly similar public investments.

[Teo9969]

I've asked this question before, but it's worth bringing up again.

Why are some opposed to building an arena for an NBA team but perfectly fine with building a convention center and a coliseum for the use of various industries and horse shows? Both are beneficial to for profit businesses, often owned by very wealthy folks, and both generate rental income and economic and reputational impact to the city. I'm not trying to troll here, I'm seriously asking why the different attitude for two seemingly similar public investments.

I'd guess the dollars at play along with how well publicized the value of these sports organizations is.

[warreng88]

I've asked this question before, but it's worth bringing up again.

Why are some opposed to building an arena for an NBA team but perfectly fine with building a convention center and a coliseum for the use of various industries and horse shows? Both are beneficial to for profit businesses, often owned by very wealthy folks, and both generate rental income and economic and reputational impact to the city. I'm not trying to troll here, I'm seriously asking why the different attitude for two seemingly similar public investments.

I haven't met a lot of people who supported one (convention center and coliseum) and not the other (new arena). I think there is a misunderstanding that people think the arena is fine how it is and no new money for a basketball team when they just simply haven't been educated on it and can't think any different.

On Steve's chat, I asked for a cliff's notes version of pitch points to convince others to vote for it. The first thing he said was " First of all, do understand that some people just like to vote no. So make your best argument with everyone, but also understand that some people are always going to find a reason to vote no."

[Laramie]

It would be hilarious and very OKC if the team were covering the financing costs but one of the owner's businesses, say MidFirst Bank, was financing it.

That's makes sense. IIRC MidFirst handles the Thunder team payroll and other financial transactions.

Thunder ownership group, G. Jeffrey Records, Jr., is Chairman and CEO, MidFirst Bank.

[Laramie]

I've asked this question before, but it's worth bringing up again.

Why are some opposed to building an arena for an NBA team but perfectly fine with building a convention center and a coliseum for the use of various industries and horse shows? Both are beneficial to for profit businesses, often owned by very wealthy folks, and both generate rental income and economic and reputational impact to the city. I'm not trying to troll here, I'm seriously asking why the different attitude for two seemingly similar public investments.

Think back to the time we built The Incomparable Myriad Convention Center:

IIRC, it took two or more bond votes to approve the convention center. By the time we opened the Myriad in 1973, the arena was too small--11,893 fixed seats for NFR Rodeo event. We lacked quality hotel rooms close to the arena to accommodate the out-of-town guests who followed the NFR.

Las Vegas swooped in and put in a bid with UNLV's Thomas & Mack Arena with 16,672 seats for the National Finals Rodeo annual event.

National Finals Rodeo to Leave City: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...y/62780647007/

Part of Oklahoma City's proposal included the promise to build a domed stadium in time for the 1988 finals. Davis said the board members felt, though, that there was no way Oklahoma City officials could guarantee that the stadium would be built . . .

. . . Cook said the board members were promised that a domed stadium, with a seating capacity of at least 55,000, would be built in time to house the 1988 National Finals and that the purse would increase to at least $2 million then.