Hornets and Downtown Buzz

[floater]

Good times will roll, Hornets owner says

By Steve Lackmeyer, Business Writer

Opportunities and growing pains were both evident as Hornets owner George Shinn visited with more than 60 Bricktown merchants Tuesday about his team’s upcoming season at Ford Center.

Shinn reminded the merchants about various opportunities to buy tickets and sponsor team-related events. Merchants and business owners, in turn, eagerly showed their enthusiasm for Oklahoma City’s shot at proving they’re ready for major league sports.

Shinn was asked why his office was organizing an opening game block party along Reno Avenue in front of Ford Center at the same time merchants are spending $10,000 to host their own festivities along Oklahoma Avenue.

Veteran Bricktown developer Jim Brewer said he’s concerned the team’s festival will hurt attendance at the planned “Bricktown Buzzfest” and the early closing of Reno Avenue could also hurt business at restaurants and shops.

“We need to have some sort of coordination,” Brewer said. “We’re a great asset to you, and we want you to be a great asset to us.”

Shinn said the Nov. 1 opening game will be a “historic event” — marking the Hornets’ first home game since their hometown of New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina — and will be under intense national and international scrutiny.

An opening day festival, Shinn said, is typical within the NBA.

“We are your partner,” Shinn said. “We’ll do anything we can to make this work. ... If our block party was two blocks away, and some people are there having a couple of beers, they might not make it to their seats.”

Brewer pledged his support for the team and told fellow merchants the NBA’s arrival in Oklahoma City presents the community with an opportunity similar to when they put their money into campaigning for the MAPS projects in 1992.

Shinn praised Oklahoma City’s business community for its rapid support of the team. He said within two weeks of the team’s relocation to Oklahoma City, corporate sales exceeded what the team’s received after three years in New Orleans.

The dizzying pace of the deal was evident even as Shinn spoke. The discussion over whether to proceed with the Bricktown street festival was barely over when merchants’ association director Frank Sims was on his cell phone, finalizing a $2,500 liability insurance policy for the event with Lloyds of London. “Everybody is working on a very short fuse,” Sims said. “And these things don’t usually happen overnight.”

Shinn told merchants they will benefit from the NBA’s presence regardless of whether they buy sponsorships or tickets. He urged restaurants and clubs to be prepared for crowds on nights before game days, saying that’s when the league’s superstars — Shaquille O’Neal, Koby Bryant, LeBron James — will be relaxing and enjoying a night on the town.

“Just by osmosis, we’re going to rub off on each other,” Shinn said.

He hailed Hornets newcomer Chris Paul as the next big name in the NBA — someone who is a great player but also is very fan friendly. Shinn also urged merchants to contact him if they witness any players refusing to give autographs.

“We’ve got good players with good character,” Shinn said. “And they will be out in the neighborhood.”

[JOHNINSOKC]

Mr Shinn reportedly told some Bricktown merchants yesterday during a meeting that OKC has already surpassed New Orleans in corporate sponsorship. Apparently, it only took OKC two weeks to accomplish what it took three years to do there. Very impressive!! Are there any naysayers out there now?? My opinion is that the Hornets are here to stay and I feel 100 percent sure about it now. My guess is that the NBA will make it official by the end of the season.

[metro]

Mr Shinn reportedly told some Bricktown merchants yesterday during a meeting that OKC has already surpassed New Orleans in corporate sponsorship. Apparently, it only took OKC two weeks to accomplish what it took three years to do there.

Actually John, it took OKC 2-3 weeks to accomplish what New Orleans DID NOT accomplish in 3 seasons. I doubt they will make it official by the end of this season but possibly before the start of the next, they have to give New Orleans, every opportunity to come back financially before then

[mranderson]

Actually John, it took OKC 2-3 weeks to accomplish what New Orleans DID NOT accomplish in 3 seasons. I doubt they will make it official by the end of this season but possibly before the start of the next, they have to give New Orleans, every opportunity to come back financially before then

In addition, they will need to research the contract with New Orleans Arena to discover what escape clauses there are. If there is an escape clause that allows for acts of God, then, we could know before the start of the next season. If there is no escape clause, then the league and the city of Oklahoma City will have to negotiate a "buy-out." SMG manages both facilities, so another possibility is to transfer the existing contract from New Orleans Arena to the Ford Center. If that can be done, again, I would say possibly by next season.

It looks brighter every day for the name New Orleans to be dropped.