Im gettins so sick of this crap from SWAKE and other Tulsan's who ignore the facts
Originally Posted by
AFCM
Oklahoma City and the taxpayers built the arena.
Oklahoma City investors purchased the team.
Oklahoma City taxpayers, with a little help from the state, have agreed to upgrade a facility owned by OKC.
It were the citizens of OKC who got the ball rolling. The state is helping out because it realizes the potential marketing power having a major league franchise will bring.
actually, the state aint helping upgrade the Ford Center at all.
the state is just extending tax breaks to the Sonics. And Swake, that IS new tax dollars. These NBA players dont currently live here YET - so who is currently making (and paying) payroll taxes on million dollar salaries right now who will be displaced when Clay Bennett starts paying it?
AGAIN, so you Tulsa people will understand - the STATE IS OFFERING A PAYROLL TAX REBATE on the top portion of PAYROLL TAXES that WILL BE PAID on NBA SALARIES!!!!!!
1) ARE THERE CURRENTLY ANY NBA SALARIES IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA? NO - so it is NEW TAXES!!
And, since it is NEW TAXES, Tulsa has nothing to worry about their tax money being diverted to OKC.
2) WHO PAYED FOR THE FORD CENTER? Oklahoma City residents.
In fact, wasn't it Tulsa residents who were trying to compare the BOK as a better facility recently? Oh, you forgot that OKC always was going to upgrade the Ford Center WITH OKC MAPS MONIES. The STATE is contributing nothing to the Ford Center, it's OKC residents. You Tulsan's dont have to worry about it unless you shop/eat in OKC.
3) WHO JUST FORKED OVER HALF BILLION DOLLARS? Clay Bennett and Oklahoma City investors.
Are there any Tulsa investors? Anybody from Tulsa willing to take a risk - or was everyone up there saying OKC couldn't support it without them.
4) Does OKC NEED Tulsa to support the NBA? NO.
Tulsan's were 'invited' to attend so that the NBA could see what OKC's market is. Truth be told, Tulsa is the 2nd city and is part of OKC's market. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but it is reality. OKC has more venues, gets more things to do, is a bigger city and market - so it only makes sense. This is JUST the same way that OKC is a tertiary market for Dallas (although OKC is really starting to hold its own and not rely on dallas as much).
Again, people mentioned that back when Tulsa was arguably more superior 15+ years ago, OKC people would drive up if/when they wanted to experience those amenities. What did Tulsan's do? They rubbed it in OKC's face - snobby, and made sure OKC people "knew where the CITY was in the state". And this despite OKC being the capital and largest city.
Well, those two facts are the same, but OKC is not rubbing it in Tulsa's face - nor is OKC even asking Tulsa for any money. I didn't hear Clay asking for tulsa investors. I didn't see the Ford Center vote extended to Tulsa voters. And, the payroll tax rebate would have passed even if all Tulsa pols had voted no (because the rest of the state would have voted yes since they can see the tertiary benefit of having NBA salaries in this state).
AGAIN SWAKE - TODAY THERE ARE NO NBA SALARIES IN OKLAHOMA, SO THERE TODAY IS NO PAYROLL TAXES BEING ASSESSED. THESE ARE NEW JOBS TO THE STATE, WHICH WILL HAVE THE TOP PORTION OF THEIR PAYROLL TAXES ABATED!
The state still gets 5%, which IS NEW DOLLARS THE STATE ISN'T GETTING TODAY.
Get it?
So now, you can stop being jealous or ignorant to what the State is doing.
Oh, did I mention that OKC is the largest city and metro in the state? So, you should also conclude that IF there was a state contribution - that OKC would be fronting most of it anyways! But I digress, because I have just written so many times that THESE ARE NEW TAXES WHICH A PORTION WILL BE ABATED!!!!!!!!
I hope you will NEVER ever say the STATE is paying for OKC to have the NBA - ever EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!
THE STATE IS NOT PAYING FOR THE FORD CENTER
THE STATE IS NOT PAYING FOR THE NBA TEAM
THE STATE IS NOT PAYING CLAY BENNETT ANYTHING
OKLAHOMA CITY HAS BUILT AND IS EXPANDING THE FORD CENTER
TULSA IS NOT
OKLAHOMA CITY INVESTORS SPENT A HALF BILLION ON THE NBA TEAM
TULSA DID NOT
NOBODY IS PAYING CLAY BENNETT ANYTHING, DEFINITELY NOBODY FROM TULSA
SO CLAY CAN NAME HIS TEAM WHAT HE WANTS (AND CERTAINLY IT WONT BE TULSA OR OKLAHOMA - HE IS VERY PRO OKC YOU KNOW)
Stern mentioned that Tulsa was part of Oklahoma City's market ONLY because most people probably didn't realize that. It is the SAME WAY Spokane is considered part of Seattle's market (yet NOBODY has to point that out anymore) - Seattle has had major league sports for 41 years.
So, since the state of Oklahoma (and Tulsa) is riding on OKC's coat tails and recent successes - stop being bitter about it and be happy that somebody is finally lifting up the state (instead of how Tulsa did in the 80's - using it only as a battering ram against OKC).
Don't get mad that Oklahoma City's mayor is making sure his city is recognized. Perhaps you should vote such a mayor for Tulsa, then maybe you won't be so jealous.
Continue the Renaissance Oklahoma City!
Oklahoma City, the RENAISSANCE CITY!
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