Will Express Sports re-visit bringing MLS to OKC with the sale of the Redhawks?

[StormFan93]

StormFan93:

Gotta give it up to you, you are up-to-date, in-the-know and very well versed.

Why thank you!

Anyway, there was a good article in the Tulsa World last week, that chronicled the Shock's attendance issues:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextr...5_NolanR827282

When Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC was formed to bring a franchise to Tulsa, owners confided that they would like to average 6,000 fans per game but needed a minimum of 5,000 to be successful financially.

In 11 home dates, the Shock has drawn 54,014 fans (a 4,910 per game average) to the BOK Center.

"We are absolutely committed to the long term," said Bill Cameron, Oklahoma City businessman and primary owner of the Shock. "We actually are right on target with where we thought we'd be financially.

"We're building for the long-term. We're happy with our corporate support, and we're happy with our arena activity.

"We're going to have spikes in attendance. We had a big one on opening night and again (Tuesday). Remember, this is our first year as a franchise in Tulsa, as a team in Tulsa and as owners. We are learning a lot, and we absolutely feel like we are on target for the long term. We are very committed to keeping professional women's basketball in Tulsa. Financially we are very sound."

David Box, who assisted Cameron in putting together the ownership group, said, "We are ready and focused for the long term. It's a step-by-step process. We will continue to create a good foundation that will succeed."

Local businessman/owner Stuart Price echoed the same thoughts.

"This is the best value entertainment-wise in the city in the summer," Price said Tuesday night as he scanned the 7,000-plus fans at the BOK Center. "The exciting thing about this is that Nolan is putting together an exciting team. They are working hard."

Like the on-court product, the front office is experiencing growing pains.

President Steve Swetoha said his staff is already planning for next season.

"We are seeking to improve in every piece of our business," he said. "We sold over 2,500 group tickets for Tuesday's game. Tulsa is a great place for WNBA basketball."

Those quotes are nice and all, but if they have anymore nights like tonight, where the attendance was 3,333 (which knocked down the average to 4,779 per game), if they'll still be as confident.

[Laramie]

You've got to understand Tulsa. It's a beautiful city with a ton of potential, but why has OKC out-distanced Tulsa--boldness and aggressiveness
OKC is a "can do" city where as Tulsa has basically sit back and taken a back seat to progress.

I use to live in Tulsa in the late 70s and I still have fond memories of its beauty.

Tulsa had a $700+ million proposal to fund the Arkansas River Development which would have brought a wealth of companies to the downtown river development. In-fighting among Tulsa and many of its surburbs caused its demise.

The projects downtown (BOK Center and ONEOK ballpark) should spark potentially new development. I get that feeling that Tulsa doesn't want to mirror OKC's development which has triggered a lot of private development from MAPS I, MAPS for Kids, MAPS for Hoops and the new MAPS II.

Devon Energy of OKC would have left OKC and built its current 50-story 850 ft tower (under construction) in Houston had it not been for the MAPS projects in which OKC taxpayers invested in themselves.


I just can figure out why Tulsa is losing so many of its corporations? It is in my estimation the cleanest and most beautiful city in the United States.