Paycom Center (formerly Chesapeake Arena)

[Jersey Boss]

I get what you're saying. What would help, for me anyway, would be if we knew what was customary in other NBA cities. Are we the only one doing it this way? If not, then that's probably just how it is being a big league city.

Seems like every year both NHL and NBA playoffs show the home arena of visiting teams watching the game. Peake seems to be the exception.

[Laramie]

Seems like every year both NHL and NBA playoffs show the home arena of visiting teams watching the game. Peake seems to be the exception.

True,

If they were to re-open Thunder Alley or relocate it where fans get that ownership feel, Oklahoma City will solidify itself as a strong, one major league city market. We are a strong small market city.

Can say that OKC has its eye on the future, the GO Bonds, aggressive initiative to improve streets, infrastructure & MAPS extension with the 1/4 cent sales tax to become a permanent tax to address the needed growth for safety (police/fire), you will see our city BOOM IN 2020s.

Since 1993, there has been a remarkable change in OKC's cosmetic appearance. Now is our chance to shed that big ole raggedy city image.

[pure]

If anyone wants to purchase the arena's old sound system, it's for sale, on Craigslist!

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/msg/6206587881.html

[shawnw]

Not anymore

[Pete]

You can see the arena re-roofing project is almost complete:

[Southsider2]

Chainsmokers are coming to the Peake on November 14th. Everyone I have talked to have said they put on a great show

[Laramie]

What's new with NBA arenas:

New Gathering Spaces

There has been a trend across major sports of adding more gathering spaces to facilities. That has particularly held true around the NBA and NHL, thanks to renovations that have made them a focal point of their projects.

Technology Upgrades

In order to help connect fans while providing the latest in audio and video production, several arenas have received technology upgrades. Many renovations have resulted in new videoboards and new audio systems, with upgraded Wi-Fi often factoring in as well, but a few in particular have stood out.

Localized Concessions

Upgrading physical stands and incorporating technology in some form, such as self-serve kiosks or mobile ordering, are fairly commonplace in renovation projects. An increasing trend is also seeing teams emphasize local food offerings in their revamped concessions, giving event goers a taste of the city.

Future Upgrades for Chesapeake Energy Arena $8,865,000:

Passage of the Oklahoma City 2017 General Obligation Bond election provides $8,865,000 for the purpose of repairing, renovating, remodeling, improving, equipping and furnishing the City’s Downtown Arena. Yes 21,106 50.68% - No 20,542 49.32%

Thunder Alley: $10 million development.

If approved by the Urban Renewal Authority, the proposal calls for construction to start by spring 2020 with an opening a year later. Randy Hogan, who developed Lower Bricktown and East Wharf, said Tuesday the complex is designed to create a year-round attraction that can host summer basketball camps, corporate events and festivals.



Localized Concessions would be the next area we would need to address for The Peake.

What else is needed to keep our downtown arena up to date?

Sources: Current Trends in NBA and NHL Arena Renovations: https://arenadigest.com/2018/11/28/c...a-renovations/

Thunder Alley entertainment complex proposed for downtown OKC: https://oklahoman.com/article/562753...alley-proposed

[BoulderSooner]

the peake has a lacking of bars/clubs/restaurants

[OKCretro]

Need to have a big room/area for a sports book or a place for a bunch of kiosks to place bets.

That will be the next thing for sports arenas, places to wager on games.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ld/1478044001/

[BoulderSooner]

Need to have a big room/area for a sports book or a place for a bunch of kiosks to place bets.

That will be the next thing for sports arenas, places to wager on games.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ld/1478044001/

it is very unlikely that sports gaming will occur in oklahoma in a physical manner outside of tribal casinos ..

it is possible that a state wide moble app may exist at some point in the future

[catcherinthewry]

it is very unlikely that sports gaming will occur in oklahoma in a physical manner outside of tribal casinos ..

it is possible that a state wide moble app may exist at some point in the future

I totally disagree. Pro sports are pushing for on site gambling so I can definitely see something like this at the 'Peake in the near future.

[jonny d]

I totally disagree. Pro sports are pushing for on site gambling so I can definitely see something like this at the 'Peake in the near future.

Then the Thunder would have to have STATE legislature approve it.

[OKCretro]

it is very unlikely that sports gaming will occur in oklahoma in a physical manner outside of tribal casinos ..

it is possible that a state wide moble app may exist at some point in the future

going to disagree with you on this.
States are quickly passing laws allowing sports gambling and sports books.
I think the NBA will be open to it at their arenas.
It will be a revenue stream for the franchise.
OKC would need to keep up with the Jones' are face the possibility of losing the franchise.
Dont see this happening in the next 3 years but soon....

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...er/1064240001/

[jedicurt]

Then the Thunder would have to have STATE legislature approve it.

the state legislature still has to be the one to approve sports betting in the first place... so just attach something for the Peak to the legislation in the first place... okay.. no big deal.

[catcherinthewry]

Then the Thunder would have to have STATE legislature approve it.

Of course. But that will happen.

[BoulderSooner]

going to disagree with you on this.
States are quickly passing laws allowing sports gambling and sports books.
I think the NBA will be open to it at their arenas.
It will be a revenue stream for the franchise.
OKC would need to keep up with the Jones' are face the possibility of losing the franchise.
Dont see this happening in the next 3 years but soon....

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...er/1064240001/

lobbyists that deal with gaming and the tribes in oklahoma don't agree with you

[Laramie]

lobbyists that deal with gaming and the tribes in oklahoma don't agree with you

The Tribes will be the biggest opponents of anything to increase sports books; they want this domain all for themselves.

[BigRed]

True,

If they were to re-open Thunder Alley or relocate it where fans get that ownership feel, Oklahoma City will solidify itself as a strong, one major league city market. We are a strong small market city.

Can say that OKC has its eye on the future, the GO Bonds, aggressive initiative to improve streets, infrastructure & MAPS extension with the 1/4 cent sales tax to become a permanent tax to address the needed growth for safety (police/fire), you will see our city BOOM IN 2020s.

Since 1993, there has been a remarkable change in OKC's cosmetic appearance. Now is our chance to shed that big ole raggedy city image.

Very good post and I agree 100 percent.

[OKCretro]

lobbyists that deal with gaming and the tribes in oklahoma don't agree with you

https://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/c...41af9259f.html

seems as if the governor might be on my side of the argument

[fightlessllama]

https://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/c...41af9259f.html

seems as if the governor might be on my side of the argument

Probably deserves its own thread, but as a citizen of one of the tribes with a casino, I kinda agree with Governor Stitt here. It should be renegotiated to be more in line with other states and to better align with the interests of the citizens of Oklahoma.

The deserving of its own thread part, and conflicting with my libertarianism, but I think they should outlaw gambling in Oklahoma. Yeah it would drive it underground, yeah it's legislating morality, but it really is producing no benefit to society that I can see and disproportionally harms those of low income. Plus it's not like weed where it's pretty easy to get even if it's illegal. It would be incredibly difficult to run an illegal slot machine enterprise and the poor people that are most victimized by it aren't just gonna up and fly to vegas for their fix. The ease at which it's available feels like most of the problem and I feel like the other states in which gambling is illegal don't necessarily have any major problems.

You can argue it increases tax revenue but the gambling money would be spent on other things which wait for it... produce tax revenue as well. And I question how much money from out of state gets brought in by the casinos, besides Winstar on Texas border of course. And if you want gambling in Oklahoma then why can't anyone open a casino? Seems unfair that only the tribes get a slice of the pie. Obviously I know it's because of the legal restrictions but it seems like its against the State of Oklahoma's interests. Again, I'm a member of one of these tribes (not that it should matter when making these points) but I see myself first and foremost as an American and then as an Oklahoman. Plus, it's not like it provides any benefit to me as a tribal citizen. Nobody's cutting me a check for some of the proceeds. All I see is those least fortunate being taken advantage of. And it honestly makes me ashamed that a part of my heritage is becoming more and more associated with all this.

[Dob Hooligan]

I read it to say the Governor just wants to raise the tax. Kinda like the oil tax got raised last year.

My understanding is that Oklahoma County and surrounding is "Unassigned Lands", which means no tribe was ever granted rights to the area. So, every tribe has to approve any tribe doing a "land swap". Getting a Sports Book in an "Unassigned Lands" area that is also an NBA team home sounds like a very heavy lift.

[SagerMichael]

I just want to know what it would take for a massive casino resort hotel to go in the parking lot east of Chickasaw Ballpark

[jonny d]

I just want to know what it would take for a massive casino resort hotel to go in the parking lot east of Chickasaw Ballpark

An act of Oklahoma legislature that would never be allowed to happen. And the signature of a governor who would never sign it.

[OKCRT]

An act of Oklahoma legislature that would never be allowed to happen. And the signature of a governor who would never sign it.

Prob will never happen but a casino in the downtown area would kill it

[dankrutka]

I think they should outlaw gambling in Oklahoma. Yeah it would drive it underground, yeah it's legislating morality, but it really is producing no benefit to society that I can see and disproportionally harms those of low income.

I have never studied gambling's effects on society so I don't claim to be an expert, but I do study the way social media platforms are designed and they have taken their practices from casinos. One way middle ground would be to pass laws that ban casinos from engineering for "time on machines" that encourage compulsion/mindlessness/addiction. Everything from slot machines to carpet design to ceiling height are all designed to nudge gamblers towards as much time as possible on machines or at tables. What about taking an ethical approach where the casino, machines, and employees encouraged responsible gambling that required breaks. Did you know that many casinos literally have problems with addicted adults where diapers or just going in their pants because they are so addicted that they won't get up to leave a slot machine? It's a highly unethical business model and it's time for casinos (and by the way social media companies) to be held responsible for designing towards such negative consequences.