New Downtown Arena

[Laramie]

We've seen the trend of newer and renovated NBA arenas seating reduced to 17,800 - 18,300.

Oklahoma City should take note of these trends, in the event they go back and forth. Let's build an arena with a maximum seating capacity of 20,000. A triple decker with the top balcony seating 1,500 which can be closed off with a middle Mezzanine of 1,500 seats leaving the lower level with 17,000 seats.

The configuration with the top balcony closed off allows for 18,500 for NBA basketball which could be easily expanded to back to 20,000 by opening the top 1,500 seat balcony.

A configuration for regulation ice hockey would require losing 800 lower level seats, the arena could have a maximum seating capacity of 19,200 which could be further reduced by 1,500 seat with a closed off top balcony resulting in a 17,700 configuration.

We want an arena capable of accommodating NBA, concerts, rodeo and NHL.

NBA seating choices 20,000 - 18,500
NHL seating choices 17,700

Make the arena multipurpose and affordable for everyone and built to a configuration to handle multiple types of events from
NBA, G-League basketball, concerts, rodeo and NHL-AHL-ECHL hockey.

Bring back the FFA 10k attendee convention we lost to Tulsa. Go after the NFR we lost to Las Vegas in 1985--the calf roping events could be held in Guthrie's Lazy E arena.
.

[caaokc]

I’d bet the capacity is similar to Paycom. I’d be surprised if they did 20k

[Canoe]

I’d bet the capacity is similar to Paycom. I’d be surprised if they did 20k

I just want a way for a family with an average median income of $59,214 per year to be able to afford a ticket in a very loud arena.

[chssooner]

I just want a way for a family with an average median income of $59,214 per year to be able to afford a ticket in a very loud arena.

I mean, how many people in OKC make more than that? We aren't a crazy wealthy city, and the arena does very well for Thunder games...

[TheTravellers]

I mean, the lease isn't "broken early". It is solely not being renewed in December 2025. So PSM is there until then.

Unless the city reaches an agreement with them to vacate before then, of course.

[BoulderSooner]

I just want a way for a family with an average median income of $59,214 per year to be able to afford a ticket in a very loud arena.

11 dollar face value doesn't work for you??

[Richard at Remax]

I just want a way for a family with an average median income of $59,214 per year to be able to afford a ticket in a very loud arena.

Not trying to be insensitive but statements like these just make me cringe. With very little effort, you can get into the games for REALLY cheap if you look at the secondary market before each game.

[chssooner]

Unless the city reaches an agreement with them to vacate before then, of course.

That's fair. But this initial news doesn't mean it's broken. Just that it won't be renewed. But your point is fair.

[Pete]

To be clear, the original term of the lease with PS is 5 years, which commenced 1/1/2021. Therefore the lease runs until 12/31/2025.

However, several terms in the lease would allow the City to force them out early, but with compensation.

PS also has 3 1-year options, the first of which would commence on 1/1/26. The City is required to give PS 2-years notice if they plan NOT to agree to those options (either side can cancel), and that's why the City has to notify PS no later than 12/31/23, which will be approved by the City Council before the end of this year. In doing so, the City will only be stopping the 3 option years.

That's the first step.

Separately, there will have to be an agreement with PS to leave early, which will no doubt cost additional money.

[kukblue1]

One other thing: I have been told by several people that Prairie Surf has been looking for a new location for almost two years.

I've always thought Cox should and will be the site, however, they have to have a backup plan (REHCO).

Holt also said this in Steve's chat yesterday:

Ok what is the REHCO SITE everyone keeps talking about? Does the city own the current Paycom site too. Think of all the possibilities for that site if the new arena is next door. Have something like Texas Live in Arlington.

[Pete]

Ok what is the REHCO SITE everyone keeps talking about? Does the city own the current Paycom site too. Think of all the possibilities for that site if the new arena is next door. Have something like Texas Live in Arlington.

Yes, the City owns both the Cox and Paycom site.

[gopokes88]

We've seen the trend of newer and renovated NBA arenas seating reduced to 17,800 - 18,300.

Oklahoma City should take note of these trends, in the event they go back and forth. Let's build an arena with a maximum seating capacity of 20,000. A triple decker with the top balcony seating 1,500 which can be closed off with a middle Mezzanine of 1,500 seats leaving the lower level with 17,000 seats.

The configuration with the top balcony closed off allows for 18,500 for NBA basketball which could be easily expanded to back to 20,000 by opening the top 1,500 seat balcony.

A configuration for regulation ice hockey would require losing 800 lower level seats, the arena could have a maximum seating capacity of 19,200 which could be further reduced by 1,500 seat with a closed off top balcony resulting in a 17,700 configuration.

We want an arena capable of accommodating NBA, concerts, rodeo and NHL.

NBA seating choices 20,000 - 18,500
NHL seating choices 17,700

Make the arena multipurpose and affordable for everyone and built to a configuration to handle multiple types of events from
NBA, G-League basketball, concerts, rodeo and NHL-AHL-ECHL hockey.

Bring back the FFA 10k attendee convention we lost to Tulsa. Go after the NFR we lost to Las Vegas in 1985--the calf roping events could be held in Guthrie's Lazy E arena.
.

This isn't going to happen.

[soonergolfer]

I just want a way for a family with an average median income of $59,214 per year to be able to afford a ticket in a very loud arena.

As I type this, there is probably 100 tickets available for $11 through the Thunder site for Mondays game against Memphis.

[gopokes88]

As I type this, there is probably 100 tickets available for $11 through the Thunder site for Mondays game against Memphis.

$3 https://seatgeek.com/oklahoma-city-t...-2/nba/6121575

[HOT ROD]

here are my unscientific yet probably realistic due to timeline predictions:

1) city passes resolution not to renew PSM lease

2) city announces site selection of Cox Center site by March 2024

3) city works with PSM to exit the Cox Center, effective end of 2024

4) late 2024, city starts relocating utilities to keep Paycom operational during construction

5) during 2024-2025, city selects architect, develops arena plans for the Cox site

6) early 2025-2026, demolition of Cox site

7) end 2026-2028, construction of new arena and Thunder portions of the Cox site

8) early-mid 2029, fixtures installed, testing,

9) Sept 2029 soft opening - Public debut

9) Oct 2029, arena officially opens with the Thunder 2029 Preseason and 2029-20 NBA Season

10) 2030 city sells parcels of Cox site not used for Arena, District, for highrise development

[Teo9969]

Not trying to be insensitive but statements like these just make me cringe. With very little effort, you can get into the games for REALLY cheap if you look at the secondary market before each game.

For a family of 4 on that income, the $120 night out ($60 for tickets and $60 for food), while not impossible, is a splurge. An additional $30.00 might be the difference between going twice a year and once a year. And that's dead center income. Half of all households make less than that, some substantially so.

[April in the Plaza]

As I type this, there is probably 100 tickets available for $11 through the Thunder site for Mondays game against Memphis.

In fairness, that’s not a very fun team to watch when it doesn’t have Ja Morant.

Just has way less weapons on the floor when he’s out.

[Teo9969]

$3 https://seatgeek.com/oklahoma-city-t...-2/nba/6121575

Lolol...you pay 250% of that price that in fees.

[ShadowStrings]

Would it make any sense at all to delay the MAPS 4 stadium and put it where Paycom is now? Not sure if that is even possible (either from a MAPS administration perspective, or if the site is even big enough).

[Chris Gordon]

Why is there a desire to immediately tear down the current arena? Having a very nice area would seem to provide promoters some flexibility for events in the city during basketball season?

[Pete]

Why is there a desire to immediately tear down the current arena? Having a very nice area would seem to provide promoters some flexibility for events in the city during basketball season?

Because it's a real money-loser for the City.

At the Cox Center, utilities alone are $1.1 million per year on top of maintenance and repairs.

[Canoe]

11 dollar face value doesn't work for you??

As long as it continues with the new Arena.

[Teo9969]

Why is there a desire to immediately tear down the current arena? Having a very nice area would seem to provide promoters some flexibility for events in the city during basketball season?

I would think Thunder ownership would have a problem with that considering they get money from other events, but I don't guess they'd have a say in the matter.

By the time the new arena opens, that land may be worth $50M. $30M minimum. It needs to be activated. With the Courtyard right there, would be cool to see a high-end, 30+ story Marriot brand end up on the site.

[aDark]

Would it make any sense at all to delay the MAPS 4 stadium and put it where Paycom is now? Not sure if that is even possible (either from a MAPS administration perspective, or if the site is even big enough).

My god this sounds incredible at first blush. I wonder if having the new Arena and the Mas 4 stadium in such proximity would be feasible. Probably not. But if it did work it would make for a helluva time when both properties had action the same day/night. Also, can you imagine the overhead pic of that area? Incredible.

[jn1780]

Why is there a desire to immediately tear down the current arena? Having a very nice area would seem to provide promoters some flexibility for events in the city during basketball season?

These are edge cases that would rarely occur. Anything worth seeing would not want to have a show at the Paycom when there is a brand new state of the art arena across the street. A larger loading dock solve most scheduling conflicts.