Are there sporting events you would like to see brought to the Oklahoma City area?

[Laramie]

There are many sporting events out there being hosted by other cities like track & field, swimming, gymnastics, soccer to name a few. What would you like to see and/or support? Do you feel that there are any events which might do better here in the city? What are your thoughts?

[GoOKC1991]

The Olympics.....joking, although some people have said to me they really think we could support the Olympics because of how we support the NBA, LOL

[Richard at Remax]

For me it would be either the US Open or PGA Championship. Especially with the Oklahoma presence on Tour with bo van pelt, rickie fowler, hunter mahan, scott verplank just to name a few. But realistically would prob be the PGA.

After then Oak Tree Golf Club hosted it in 1988, the immedietly got awarded the 1994 PGA but due to bankruptcy of the clubs owners it got moved to Southern HIlls that year. It hosted the 2006 Senior PGA with record crowds. When Ed Evans bought the club a few year ago his goal was to update the course back into its original design and bring back championships by making it one of the hardest courses in the country. The scores from the amateur Trans MIss Tourney last weekend looked like murderers row. From what I hear the course got nothing but rave reviews despite the high scores.

National is currently slotted to host the 2014 US Senior open which will be a huge deal and will also be a big audition to try to lure in one of the big boys again. Unfortunately the earliest it could happen is 2019 since everything is already booked until then.

[Just the facts]

1) Auto racing (both a grand prix and Friday night).
2) MLS.

[Bellaboo]

Mud Rasslin'...............JK

[dankrutka]

I think the PGA and autoracing are both good ideas. OKC can probably only support one major professional team currently so it makes sense to bring in special events that only take place annually or every few years. These types of events could easily be supported.

[LibertyOKC]

The new park would be a great place to have a Grand Prix or Formula race. They could incorporate a pretty cool track in the design. There is plenty of room for one and another chance for some national recognition. The track would be used for regular traffic when a race is not happening.

[CaptDave]

I think the OKC metro will be able to support a MLS franchise in a few years. There was a concept of a combination facility with a soccer stadium and indoor arena posted somewhere. I think that could work very well on the Coop site. Then you could relocate the Barons from the Cox CC when it is time to redevelop that block.

But as far as specific sporting events to bring now - PGA, Pro Tennis (WTP?) event, Grand Am/Pirelli Challenge road race at Fairgrounds are the ones that come to mind and I think we could support well enough for them to return.

[MDot]

Add me to the PGA and MLS crowd.

[Laramie]

There may be enough money in the OKC area to support both the NBA & MLS:

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjourna...e=&CPIorderBy=

"An NBA team, according to the study, requires an income base of $34.2 billion for adequate support."

Oklahoma City has about $50.0 billion in total available personal income which would make room for something on the scale of Major League Soccer (MLS). So would something like MLS overextend our market?

Right now, we don't have the facilities to house an MLS franchise; Edmond would be the nearest city which has expressed interest in bringing MLS to the area. Wantland Stadium on the CSU campus would have to be expanded to seat around 20,000-plus. Wantland current seating capacity is 10,000. Bricktown ballpark could be configured to easily seat 15,000 as a good temporary facility.

Time to bring back a major PGA event to Oak Tree?

Auto racing? Are we talking about a street Grand Prix racing event or building something for auto racing specific? Could Oklahoma compete for the limited racing events which are available on the circuit?

What about college track & field events at OU's Jacobs Field(?): http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...x=wrt&y=Search

[CaptDave]

I think MLS would be a good fit for OKC. The exhibitions in UCO back in 2004(?) were well attended despite horrible weather. Wantland would have been the first home of an OKC team had someone with the $$ for the franchise been willing to make the leap. While that would have been a good place to start, as has been demonstrated by nearly every successful MLS team, a soccer specific stadium of about 20-25000 capacity is needed for long term financial viability. For that reason I think the Coop site in downtown would be a perfect location for such a stadium.

[Sonny_Crockett]

Personally I'd like to see an NHL Franchise in OKC. MLS would be good too. An MLB team is out of the question though. It would be nice but there's no room to expand the ballpark and put up to par with MLB regulations.

[venture]

Personally I'd like to see an NHL Franchise in OKC. MLS would be good too. An MLB team is out of the question though. It would be nice but there's no room to expand the ballpark and put up to par with MLB regulations.

NHL likely won't happen considering the AHL team doesn't pull in all that great attendance figures (last I checked).

[Roadhawg]

Lingerie Bowl

[MDot]

I also think it would be cool to have an MLB team but that's currently a pipe dream, IMO.

[SOONER8693]

Lingerie Bowl

Amen!

[dankrutka]

I also think it would be cool to have an MLB team but that's currently a pipe dream, IMO.

Of all the major sports, I think MLB would be the hardest for OKC to support.

[OKCisOK4me]

In light of having an MLS team and a future stadium at a Co-op like spot, I think it would then also be a possibility to host International rugby competitions, like ones I've seen on NBC from somewhere in Las Vegas.

[Laramie]

In light of having an MLS team and a future stadium at a Co-op like spot, I think it would then also be a possibility to host International rugby competitions, like ones I've seen on NBC from somewhere in Las Vegas.

There are a number of things a riverfront stadium could host. We weren't able to get one on the MAPS III ballot; however, maybe the 2017 momentum or extension would be a time to do just that.

Here are some soccer-specific stadiums used for MLS: http://stadiaarcadia.blogspot.com/20...-stadiums.html

[mugofbeer]

I really miss the spotlight of the National Finals Rodeo. Not being an authority on it, I wonder what quantities of cash it would take to get it to consider a return?

[Laramie]

I really miss the spotlight of the National Finals Rodeo. Not being an authority on it, I wonder what quantities of cash it would take to get it to consider a return?

You're not alone in that department. It would take a ton of cash to get the NFR back to OKC and a much bigger facility than the Peake. LV needed an event around Christmas which was their down time to generate more action in 'Sin City!" The IFR is something we can build on; however, it's nothing compared to the NFR nor will it ever rival the NFR.

Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_%26_Mack_Center

Chesapeake Energy Center (OKC): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Energy_Arena

Does anyone know how the IFR operates vs. the NFR?

If we could build the IFR to where it needed to be moved to the Cox Convention Center or the Peake then I would say let's look at building something big with a roof on it which could be used for future events which might require something bigger than the Chesapeake Energy Arena which could be used for MLS, Rodeo and football.

[OKCisOK4me]

A pro football venue will not happen and a bowl game will not come here unless it is a pro style venue...so rule that size stadium out.

[MDot]

Of all the major sports, I think MLB would be the hardest for OKC to support.

Exactly.

[ljbab728]

It would take a ton of cash to get the NFR back to OKC and a much bigger facility than the Peake.

It's not going to happen but not because of arena size. Look at your wikipedia links. If you look at the size of both arenas for arena football the OKC arena seats more. That would be comparable to what is required for rodeo.

[YO MUDA]

Auto Racing. Thanks Cornett