Paycom Center (formerly Chesapeake Arena)

[bombermwc]

I used to work with a casino software firm. I actually hated spending time in casinos and eventually left. One of the things i could just never get over was our own products allowed people to cash their paycheck right there in the casino (and we made money off that like as a check cashing service) so they could burn it. Countless times i saw the elderly putting out their social security checks to play. If you think this isn't a problem for low income and the elderly, you're mistaken. Having spent my fair amount of time in casinos in different parts of the country, they're all the same. Mostly older and mostly lower income dobbing those Bingo cards or pushing those slots buttons.

What I will say is, they made the choice to be there. And if it wasn't this vice, it would be another. Alcohol/smoking/etc...hell they often do all three at the same time. So just by removing the casinos, you aren't going to magically fix some issue in society. Plus, there are plenty of people out there that just do it for fun. Just like paying $20 to go see a movie, they may go by and burn some money in the casino because they think its fun. Casinos aren't profitable because they give away money, and people know that. They pay expecting to lose. If they win something, its a bonus. Those that are addicted and are waiting for that next win....well, like any other addiction, they also have to WANT to seek help.

The money brought in has had benefits though. The casinos are a large employer in the state and those funds do help pay for tribal services that wouldn't otherwise be there. Some tribes have other business ventures outside of gambling and those tribes have diversified some (although they still are heavily tilted towards the income of the casino). Social services are the biggest wins for the tribes....healthcare, mental care, etc.

To every ying, there is a yang. And we personally have to make the choice on our own if we want to support that. For me, I chose to exit that world. But i dont think its fair to make a blanket statement that it all needs to go away and would fix all kinds of problems. You'd also be putting a LOT of people out of work. Not just the casino employees, the game vendor staff, food/beverage services, deliveries, third-party software firms (like i was), etc. Just like with any industry, there's a whole ice berg under the water that you dont see.

[jn1780]

I will say this. If a casino was legalized in the city, there should be zero TIF or public funds allocated for it.

[checkthat]

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.

Here is a good podcast episode about lotteries and casinos:

https://citationsneeded.libsyn.com/e...nder-the-radar

In this episode, we explore how lotteries and casinos have come to represent the last throes of the false neoliberal promise of "jobs” and “growth.” Throughout much of the United States, specifically the Rust Belt and Midwest, casinos and prisons are increasingly the only growth industries, entrenching the shift from an industrial economy to one that exclusively preys on the poor and desperate in a never-ending race to the bottom. Beyond the glitz and easy “tax revenue” lies a massive transfer of wealth from the poor, black and elderly to the super wealthy - achieved, slowly over decades, with zero sustained criticism from the media.

[dankrutka]

Here is a good podcast episode about lotteries and casinos:

Thanks! Episodes 1 and 2 of this podcast details how social media companies use the persuasive psychology of casinos: https://humanetech.com/podcast/

[HOT ROD]

[Laramie]

Chesapeake Energy Secures Naming Rights To Thunder Arena In 12-Year Deal

(July 22, 2011)

Chesapeake Energy Arena will be the “new name of Oklahoma City’s downtown arena, formerly known as the Ford Center,” according to Randy Ellis of the DAILY OKLAHOMAN. Under the 12-year naming rights deal, Chesapeake, one of the Thunder’s “five founding partners,” will pay the team $3M the “first year, with a 3 percent annual escalation clause for each year, thereafter.” The Thunder “received the rights to most proceeds from the naming rights agreement under the deal it reached with the city to bring the NBA team to Oklahoma City from Seattle.” The city “will continue to receive $409,000 a year plus an escalator amount tied to the Consumer Price Index.” The amount the city receives is “based on its original naming rights contract with Oklahoma Ford Dealers before an NBA team arrived in Oklahoma City.” Ellis notes the deal “includes Chesapeake branding throughout the building including on the basketball court, prominent premium placement on the high-definition scoreboard and new state-of-the-art interior and exterior digital signage.” Most of the signage is “expected to be in place by the start of the Thunder’s 2011-12 season.” Horrow Sports Ventures CEO Rick Horrow said he believes the deal is “imminently fair” and a “win-win for all concerned.” Chesapeake Energy is based in Oklahoma City, and Horrow said the deal "provides another showcasing opportunity of a homegrown company that is now evolving into a national and international corporate sponsor” (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 7/22). Thunder
investor Aubrey McClendon also serves as Chesapeake Energy CEO (THE DAILY).

Source: Smith & Streets Sports Business Journal Daily: https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/...s/Thunder.aspx

Will this agreement terminate in 2023; be renegotiated or put up for bids?

[Laramie]

Inquiring minds, does anyone know what's in store for Chesapeake Energy future upgrades in MAPS 4.

[Pete]

$135M improvements proposed for arena, Thunder

In the third day of proposals for MAPS 4, officials made a pitch for up to $135 million in improvements to Chesapeake Arena and the Thunder practice facility.




Completed in 2002 at a cost of $89.2 million, the arena was enhanced in 2008 with another $106 million in additional sales tax revenues that brought the facility up to NBA standards at that time.

11 years of Thunder basketball later and having hosted nearly 18 million guests for concerts and events, upgrades are being sought to expand and modernize the arena for the third decade of use.

In a presentation to city council on Wednesday, representatives claimed a $90 million annual direct spending impact to the local economy.

The proposed budget includes $55 to $60 million for fan amenities, $30 to $33 million for other arena improvements, $12 to $15 million for practice facility enhancements and arena maintenance at $23 to $27 million.

Presentations were also heard on transit, homelessness and a diversion hub.

One more round of MAPS 4 proposals will be heard August 6th, then City Council will decide on the final slate of projects in September, followed by a city-wide vote in December.

[BoulderSooner]

this is a no brainer and much much cheaper than a new arena

[Pete]

$15M seems like a lot of money for seemingly small improvements to the practice facility.

[jonny d]

I am in favor of this. However, I wonder how much longer the space will be viable? Also, where would a new arena go once that day inevitably comes? It needs to stay downtown (location right now is perfect). But 10-20 years from how, where will the arena be able to be built?

[gopokes88]

I am in favor of this. However, I wonder how much longer the space will be viable? Also, where would a new arena go once that day inevitably comes? It needs to stay downtown (location right now is perfect). But 10-20 years from how, where will the arena be able to be built?

I think that’s kinda the point, continually upgrading this arena and we’ll never have to build a new one. The thunder has paid a lot of taxes over the years to stay competitive and time finally ran out. Now we need to pay ours to keep them here and happy.

Or we can take a principled stand against this and watch them pack up and leave one day.

[jonny d]

I think that’s kinda the point, continually upgrading this arena and we’ll never have to build a new one. The thunder has paid a lot of taxes over the years to stay competitive and time finally ran out. Now we need to pay ours to keep them here and happy.

Or we can take a principled stand against this and watch them pack up and leave one day.

Agreed. I am in favor of this, as I stated. Just trying to think 15-20 years down the road when it can be retrofitted no longer.

[s00nr1]

I am fine with improving the arena (even though at this point the arena is nearing 20 years old), but in no way should MAPS 4 funds be dedicated to improving their practice facility. There is absolutely 0 ROI.

[Colbafone]

So if this goes through, it looks like the land just south of the Arena and north of the Boulevard is included in this? In the renderings it looks like a little park and communal area, so I guess no construction there?

[gamermp101]

So does this mean that the Thunder Alley proposal is now dead?

[Pete]

So if this goes through, it looks like the land just south of the Arena and north of the Boulevard is included in this? In the renderings it looks like a little park and communal area, so I guess no construction there?

That's where Thunder Alley would go if approved.

What is shown in the renderings is just a placeholder, as nothing has been decided on that RFP as of yet.

[Colbafone]

That's where Thunder Alley would go if approved.

What is shown in the renderings is just a placeholder, as nothing has been decided on that RFP as of yet.

Ah, okay, that's good to know. So, regardless of our feelings towards that particular development, if it does go through, the entire south end of CEA would be entirely transformed.

[gopokes88]

Agreed. I am in favor of this, as I stated. Just trying to think 15-20 years down the road when it can be retrofitted no longer.

I kinda think if this passes, it’ll become the norm

[gopokes88]

I am fine with improving the arena (even though at this point the arena is nearing 20 years old), but in no way should MAPS 4 funds be dedicated to improving their practice facility. There is absolutely 0 ROI.

Lol minus the fact we can keep the annual $70 million in direct spending the team brings.

If you don’t think being a city with a major sport in it has enormous value, well you’re just wrong but certainly entitled to that opinion.

There’s three cities that would kill for the thunder and wouldn’t think twice about approving this. KC, St. Louis and Seattle.

[Colbafone]

Dang, the Morning Animals on the Sports Animal are talking about this proposal and they are all name dropping OKCTalk and giving you credit for breaking this Pete. That's cool.

[jonny d]

I am fine with improving the arena (even though at this point the arena is nearing 20 years old), but in no way should MAPS 4 funds be dedicated to improving their practice facility. There is absolutely 0 ROI.

Delete

[Bullbear]

Arena improvements are fine by me. CEA has served us well and we should invest in keeping it current. I like the outdoor spaces for sure this could really be nice and compliment the OMNI and convention center. The North entrance does need expansion as it has been been utilized more as the main entrance than the actual main entrance due to the orientation of the building and that there was nothing south.

[jn1780]

Arena improvements are fine by me. CEA has served us well and we should invest in keeping it current. I like the outdoor spaces for sure this could really be nice and compliment the OMNI and convention center. The North entrance does need expansion as it has been been utilized more as the main entrance than the actual main entrance due to the orientation of the building and that there was nothing south.

The north would probably see an expansion 10 to 15 years down the road which would go along nicely with whatever happens with cox site.

I'm fine with this investment. The original talk about upgrades sounded Thunder specific to me, but this appears to be an upgrade for all arena users

[Bullbear]

The north would probably see an expansion 10 to 15 years down the road. It would go along nicely with whatever happens with cox site.

even the interior that is proposed with this will help a lot with the congestion. that side was just not configured well for the amount of use it gets. opening up those concourses I think will help.