OKC Barons to cease operations after the 2014-2015 season

[Edgar]

Proves how clueless Junior was- fire Brooks and Lund and dumps the brand name that has passionate loyalty. You'd hope wouldn't be pettiness and a scorched earth attitude towards reviving hockey in OKC that people want to attend, but you may be right. Cornett and Co seem to think OKC is a totally different city than it was 15 years ago. He said it's not the same city and he's right, we used to have motorsports and a beloved hockey team.

[kevinpate]

And some folk had tricycles. Part of growing older I suppose

[bradh]

What world do you dolts live in that you would rather have "we're here for the fights" hockey and weekend warrior racing over what we have in OKC now?

The Funks maybe missed the boat with hockey, but I can tell you they are doing okay with soccer so far, your boy Lund has his work cut out for him, especially if USL gets the tier two status they are going for.

[Richard at Remax]

A close friend of mine Sent me this text tonight after talking to some people in the know with the barons so take it for what it's worth

Here's the latest on the rumor about the team: the players were told to sit tight and not sell their houses. Bakersfield arena is not ready or up to ahl standards and essentially the barons have no where to go. Funk wanted a 3 yr lease, Edmonton a 5 yr and the city. A 10 yr. Edmonton is working with the city now to extend for at least another year and will run the team. Funk owns the barons name so may have to be rebranded. Edmonton would like to get a lease that allows barons to stay up to 2 yrs with the option of an echl team moving in after barons leave( current Bakersfield team)


So best case scenario is Edmonton takes over the team, rebrands it, and is here for two more years, with promise of current Bakersfield team moving here if/when team moves. Also it was interesting to hear that barons have one of the highest # of season ticket holders. Loyalty was always there but there was obvious poor marketing to try to get your average fans consistently to the games

[Jersey Boss]

A close friend of mine Sent me this text tonight after talking to some people in the know with the barons so take it for what it's worth

Here's the latest on the rumor about the team: the players were told to sit tight and not sell their houses. Bakersfield arena is not ready or up to ahl standards and essentially the barons have no where to go. Funk wanted a 3 yr lease, Edmonton a 5 yr and the city. A 10 yr. Edmonton is working with the city now to extend for at least another year and will run the team. Funk owns the barons name so may have to be rebranded. Edmonton would like to get a lease that allows barons to stay up to 2 yrs with the option of an echl team moving in after barons leave( current Bakersfield team)


So best case scenario is Edmonton takes over the team, rebrands it, and is here for two more years, with promise of current Bakersfield team moving here if/when team moves. Also it was interesting to hear that barons have one of the highest # of season ticket holders. Loyalty was always there but there was obvious poor marketing to try to get your average fans consistently to the games

I this is true, is the fact the city is wanting a 10 year lease a typical deal or is it a way of discouraging the team from staying?

[kevinpate]

I this is true, is the fact the city is wanting a 10 year lease a typical deal or is it a way of discouraging the team from staying?

Hmmmmm, why oh why does the term functionally obsolete waft across the evening air

[Dave Cook]

Here's the latest on the rumor about the team: the players were told to sit tight and not sell their houses.

Immediate red flag. Not saying it isn't interesting and couldn't be true......but what minor league player buys a home in Oklahoma City?

Every hockey player in Oklahoma City going back to Pete Panagabko has lived in an apartment complex or, at best, a rent house.

[borchard]

Immediate red flag. Not saying it isn't interesting and couldn't be true......but what minor league player buys a home in Oklahoma City?

Every hockey player in Oklahoma City going back to Pete Panagabko has lived in an apartment complex or, at best, a rent house.

NO minor league player buys a house

[bradh]

Yeah I'm shocked at that as well. I know pretty much the entire Energy FC team/coaches all live in one apartment complex.

[Richard at Remax]

OK I think it was taken out of context. tell them to not cancel rent/living arrangement as of right now.

[borchard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6PhjMARiRo
This brought back a lot of memories. I was at this game and I remember it well.
Excitement,
A Joe Burton hat trick
A fight.
John Brooks doing play-by-play
And a fairly full arena, packed with redneck, knuckle-dragging, hillbilly, Okie rubes who just don't truly appreciate the intricacies of "real" hockey but who are having a great time, anyway.
But with all those people who came to the game, it's just a shame that they didn't charge them to get in. They DID give away every single ticket, right? I mean, that's the conventional meme that has gone around. They could have made SO much money if they'd have just charged for tickets!

[borchard]

Wait, I forgot, there were a bunch of dolts there, too. Can't forget the dolts.

[dcsooner]

If OKC had a NHL team and no NBA team, this would become a "hockey town" overnight just like it became a NBA town overnight.

I don't agree with this at all. I am a out of State season ticket holder for the Thunder making about 3 games per year. I wouldn't even watch Hockey. NHL hockey would do OK but I don't think it would rise as fast nor maintain the level of enthusiasm of the NBA. Hockey is an afterthought sport outside of the NHL markets and the Stanley Cup.

[Laramie]

We'll just have to see what happens now. My personal hope is that Brad Lund and DeBray Ayala are behind an effort to get OKC into the ECHL. And of course I, and many lunk-headed, idiotic, knuckle-dragging fans would love it if they are able to bring back The Blazers name/colors/etc... However, I'm not sure if Funk and Prodigal still own the rights to the name. If so, that may not happen. There is HUGE animosity between the two parties that started when Funk Jr fired Lund and Ayala, and it is continuing with their battles over soccer in OKC.

Oklahoma City needs to utilize more of its metropolitan area for minor league sports franchises:

Return the Blazers' name-recognition for an ECHL franchise in OKC along with arch rivals Tulsa & Wichita should boost attendance Our metropolitan area is on pace of eclipse 1.5 million. It may take a one-year hiatus or longer to shake off the rust of the Barons. Remember, Barons was the name that lost in the naming of OKC's NBA franchise Thunder. Barons & RedHawks names should be permanently retired after this season.

City does need to provide more upgrades (new roof/seating) at the Fairgrounds Arena or erect a new arena at the Fairgrounds for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey use to easily accommodate up to 8,000 with free paved parking; this would allow more money to be spent on team sales/concessions as the city will probably phase-out the Cox Convention Center sometime after 2000.

The NBADL Oklahoma City Blue could also be a future tenant to have them share the Chesapeake Energy Arena with the Thunder. A city like Enid (68 miles, nw) would be a paradise for the Oklahoma City Blue (6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 3,000 seat Enid Events Center or 2,500-seat Mark Price Arena).

Lazy-E Arena (7,000-plus seats) would be a great venue for an Oklahoma City ECHL franchise to be shared by Guthrie, Edmond & Oklahoma City. The Edmond-Guthrie area will easily have a combined population that should exceed 115,000 by 2000.

When MAPS V is introduced around 2023-25 it will lead to the demolition of the Cox Convention Center. The Peake will become sectioned in with the MAPS III convention center-hotel complex with plans to erect a new minimum 20,000-plus seat arena for the NBA Thunder & special events in the CBD/Bricktown/Riverfront area.

What are your thoughts?

[borchard]

Oklahoma City needs to utilize more of its metropolitan area for minor league sports franchises:

Return the Blazers' name-recognition for an ECHL franchise in OKC along with arch rivals Tulsa & Wichita should boost attendance Our metropolitan area is on pace of eclipse 1.5 million. It may take a one-year hiatus or longer to shake off the rust of the Barons. Remember, Barons was the name that lost in the naming of OKC's NBA franchise Thunder. Barons & RedHawks names should be permanently retired after this season.

I agree. I do not believe that the Blazers coming back is a panacea for all minor league sprots ills. But i DO absolutely believe that if/when they gain access into the ECHL that they will have larger crowds than the Barons were able to draw. What does that say about Oklahoma City hockey fans? Don't know. Don't care.

City does need to provide more upgrades (new roof/seating) at the Fairgrounds Arena or erect a new arena at the Fairgrounds for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey use to easily accommodate up to 8,000 with free paved parking; this would allow more money to be spent on team sales/concessions as the city will probably phase-out the Cox Convention Center sometime after 2000.

This may definitely be the most attractive option at that time. It would strengthen the Fairgrounds area, as well, for horse/livestock shows/rodeos/concerts.

The NBADL Oklahoma City Blue could also be a future tenant to have them share the Chesapeake Energy Arena with the Thunder. A city like Enid (68 miles, nw) would be a paradise for the Oklahoma City Blue (6,500 seat Chisholm Trail Expo Center, 3,000 seat Enid Events Center or 2,500-seat Mark Price Arena).

Lazy-E Arena (7,000-plus seats) would be a great venue for an Oklahoma City ECHL franchise to be shared by Guthrie, Edmond & Oklahoma City. The Edmond-Guthrie area will easily have a combined population that should exceed 115,000 by 2000.

This would be my LEAST attractive option, to be honest. Way far north. Not easy to get to. No infrastructure around such as restaurants, etc... Just my opinion.

When MAPS V is introduced around 2023-25 it will lead to the demolition of the Cox Convention Center. The Peake will become sectioned in with the MAPS III convention center-hotel complex with plans to erect a new minimum 20,000-plus seat arena for the NBA Thunder & special events in the CBD/Bricktown/Riverfront area.

When do you see the Thunder asking for a new arena?

[Edgar]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6PhjMARiRo
This brought back a lot of memories. I was at this game and I remember it well.
Excitement,
A Joe Burton hat trick
A fight.
John Brooks doing play-by-play
And a fairly full arena, packed with redneck, knuckle-dragging, hillbilly, Okie rubes who just don't truly appreciate the intricacies of "real" hockey but who are having a great time, anyway.
But with all those people who came to the game, it's just a shame that they didn't charge them to get in. They DID give away every single ticket, right? I mean, that's the conventional meme that has gone around. They could have made SO much money if they'd have just charged for tickets!

Beer sales alone at a Blazers game made it a profitable evening. Baron's games felt like a Wed night church crowd.

[Laramie]

When do you see the Thunder asking for a new arena?

Phase I of the Indoor Sports Arena (downtown) was completed in 2002 with $91 million in (MAPS for HOOPS--March 4, 2008) arena upgrades completed in 2010. Arenas built today have roughly a 20-22 year life span which would require that the Peake be replaced around 2030.

MAPS IV will begin around March 2017; run thru March 2024-25 (7-8 years).

Target replacement of the Chesapeake Arena (2030):

The Peake will eventually become apart of the new MAPS III convention center hotel complex; this will replace the current Cox Convention Center.

MAPS V will begin (extend) around March 2024-25 run thru 2031-32 (7-8 years). The timeline will include a new arena which should be completed around 2032--that will be 22 years since MAPS for HOOPS extension (2010 arena renovations completed) and 30 years since 2002 completion of the original Phase I: Indoor Sports Arena (downtown).

[borchard]

OK. Good to get your perspective. I saw something about this on Field of Schemes
Oklahoma City Thunder | Field of Schemes

There will come a day when the Thunder, metaphorical hat in metaphorical hand, come to local voters asking for money to re-renovate the Peake or money for an entirely new arena. And judging by recent history, and the lamentable timing that led the Peake to be designed barely before the truly modern standards for revenue-generating arena plans came to full fruition (most visibly, for example, a second deck of suites along the sidelines), that day might be coming sooner than people think.

[kwhey]

I can almost guarantee that people who want the Blazers back will be disappointed that will not be the brawl fest that they expect and the players do not stay for 5-10 years.

[kwhey]

Phase I of the Indoor Sports Arena (downtown) was completed in 2002 with $91 million in (MAPS for HOOPS--March 4, 2008) arena upgrades completed in 2010. Arenas built today have roughly a 20-22 year life span which would require that the Peake be replaced around 2030.

MAPS IV will begin around March 2017; run thru March 2024-25 (7-8 years).

Target replacement of the Chesapeake Arena (2030):

The Peake will eventually become apart of the new MAPS III convention center hotel complex; this will replace the current Cox Convention Center.

MAPS V will begin (extend) around March 2024-25 run thru 2031-32 (7-8 years). The timeline will include a new arena which should be completed around 2032--that will be 22 years since MAPS for HOOPS extension (2010 arena renovations completed) and 30 years since 2002 completion of the original Phase I: Indoor Sports Arena (downtown).

Why don't the billionaires build their own arena?

[borchard]

Why don't the billionaires build their own arena?

GREAT question!

[Jersey Boss]

Why don't the billionaires build their own arena?

Because they know they don't have to. If the taxpayers don't want to pay for the stadium/arena, they will take their ball somewhere else.

[borchard]

I've really enjoyed reading articles at
Field of Schemes | sports stadium news and analysis

[kwhey]

Because they know they don't have to. If the taxpayers don't want to pay for the stadium/arena, they will take their ball somewhere else.

Good, let them take their ball elsewhere. If all cities would start doing this, these billionaires would (and should) pay for their own buildings.

[kwhey]

[SIZE=4]
City does need to provide more upgrades (new roof/seating) at the Fairgrounds Arena or erect a new arena at the Fairgrounds for rodeo, basketball & ice hockey use to easily accommodate up to 8,000 with free paved parking; this would allow more money to be spent on team sales/concessions as the city will probably phase-out the Cox Convention Center sometime after 2000.

Lazy-E Arena (7,000-plus seats) would be a great venue for an Oklahoma City ECHL franchise to be shared by Guthrie, Edmond & Oklahoma City. The Edmond-Guthrie area will easily have a combined population that should exceed 115,000 by 2000.

What are your thoughts?

The Lazy E Arena doesn't have an ice plant and the one at the SFA has been removed. Neither place is acceptable for hockey.