New Arena Name

[jn1780]

It looks like the OKC Thunder have started negotiating naming rights for the Arena. Who do you think will end up with the naming rights? Any preferences?

http://newsok.com/ford-center-name-t...ad_story_title

[metro]

I saw that, looks like they couldn't reach a re-negotiation agreement with FORD Dealers. Too bad, it gives us good national exposure. I bet Devon, CHK, or BOK end up getting it.

[adaniel]

BOK Center of the West?

It will be interesting to see if they can get a company sponsor all. Companies around here are doing okay, but their investors may still be skittish about the economy enough to object to plunking down naming rights. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys had no takers for the Cowdome, and that was just last year.

[MikeOKC]

BOK Center of the West?

It will be interesting to see if they can get a company sponsor all. Companies around here are doing okay, but their investors may still be skittish about the economy enough to object to plunking down naming rights. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys had no takers for the Cowdome, and that was just last year.

I agree with this. You can probably rule out CHK on stockholder anxiety alone. If McClendon is arrogant enough to do it, and I don't rule that out, the next investors meeting will look like the Boston Tea Party. The whole idea of a CEO using his public company to shovel money his own way, for his own profit, would be bad enough. That's a no go.

[john60]

I saw that, looks like they couldn't reach a re-negotiation agreement with FORD Dealers. Too bad, it gives us good national exposure. I bet Devon, CHK, or BOK end up getting it.

Why does Ford being the named company on the arena give Oklahoma City more national exposure than if it were any other company? I don't understand that.

[betts]

As long as it brings in more money than the paltry amount we were getting from the Ford dealers, I'm delighted to have a new name. I think the Devon Center has a nice ring to it, and Devon certainly has a lot of cash with their offshore oil interest sales, despite having to pay for a building. It would give them some additional national exposure as well.

[metro]

Why does Ford being the named company on the arena give Oklahoma City more national exposure than if it were any other company? I don't understand that.

We've discussed it in the past in other threads. FORD is a reputable INTERNATIONAL brand. No one outside of OKC, Ft. Worth and small town W. Virginia have heard of Chesapeake. About the same goes for Devon or Sandridge. No one cares or know what they are even. It speaks volumes about OKC's image when we have a reputable international brand slapped on the naming rights of our arena, even if it is just the local dealers pitching in together to pay for it. I know it sounds silly but it's true. Look at some of the posts in past threads from our out of state and out of country posters. I too am a little concerned about CHK getting ballsy and going for the naming rights, it could be a worse move for OKC in the long run for reasons mentioned above. People don't realize how much naming rights cost for a NBA arena, we don't have too many companies that can afford it, especially in a down economy.

[Rover]

I beg to differ on Chesapeake. I also have an office in LA and travel quite a bit for work and I regularly see television ads for Chesapeake. Those who want to keep criticizing Aubrey, fine. But to not recognize they are not just a little Oklahoma City gas company is silly.

That said, few companies worldwide have the brand recognition that Ford does.

Southwest Airlines would be a logical sponsor. National name and locally dominant. The Southwest Center doesn't sound bad.

[metro]

Which is more recognizable anywhere on the globe? CHK or FORD? Sure CHK, DVN and BOK have little pockets where they might be known, but EVERYONE, even in 3rd world countries know what a Ford is. Not to mention, a lot of people outside the "oil belt" don't like oil companies. FORD brings a better image to OKC. Not that it matters.

[MikeOKC]

I don't always agree with Metro, but when he's right, he's right. On this -- he's right.

[benman]

Which is more recognizable anywhere on the globe? CHK or FORD? Sure CHK, DVN and BOK have little pockets where they might be known, but EVERYONE, even in 3rd world countries know what a Ford is. Not to mention, a lot of people outside the "oil belt" don't like oil companies. FORD brings a better image to OKC. Not that it matters.

Haha and without oil companies Ford wouldnt be recognized internationally, so i really care what people think outside of "the oil belt". Autos and oil kinda go hand in hand last time I checked.
I think its safe to say that CHK will not put their name on the Ford Center, so this debate is pretty stupid.

[betts]

I agree that the Ford name has a lot of cachet, but what this team needs is money....more than cachet. We're a small market without lots of high paying sponsors. Kevin Durant provides all the cachet we need, and his salary is already set.

[metro]

Exactly betts. For our sake, I hope we get some out of state F500 company wanting to sponsor it, such as Southwest Airlines or such. Would be great to get some out of state money into the local coffers instead of our Big 3 always having to pony up.

[soonerfan_in_okc]

Sonic should sponsor it. Call it "Sonic Center" or something. Oh, how the people in seattle would love it.

[SkyWestOKC]

I'd love for Sonic to do it. Oklahoma City Thunder in the Sonic Center. Oh the joy. Realistically, I doubt it would happen. Southwest Airlines could do it, but I doubt they will. I'd expect for Love's to put in a bid as well as MidFirst. Devon Center doesn't sound that bad though, personally.

[windowphobe]

Truth be told, the first thing that came to me was the Big Truck Tacodome.

Won't happen, of course, but...

[euphjay]

I like Devon Energy Arena better than center. With all the cash that Devon has this would be nothing for them. It would be awesome for tv to have the newly remodeled arena and brand new 850' building. I think it would be a great image for OKC to display.

[dmoor82]

Devon Energy Arena sounds good to me!

[kevinpate]

Devon Energy Arena sounds good to me!

Given what Devon is currently building, Devon needs to drop a dime on naming rights like a fish needs a bicycle. I just do not see this happening.

[dmoor82]

^^I said it sounded good!I would like even better if The Ford center name stuck around!

[rkjg24]

Considering I'm not a big fan of Ford, I'm kinda glad to see them losing the rights. Hopefully a big name will come in.

[dmoor82]

^^ Ford's one of The biggest names in The World!

[Easy180]

My money is on Sonic or MidFirst

[Thunder]

Did Ford pay $8.1 million already or how much are they paying annually? If they paid in whole, then I think Ford should get their money back. If annually, then Ford should stop paying.

Naming rights simply is to sponsor and support the arena and team? I'd say Devon should be the one, but to actually name it the Thunderdome. I don't care about the name already being used elsewhere! The name is fitting for this arena and everyone is already calling it the Thunderdome.

[Luke]

The Sonic Center.

Local company with recognition nationally...

Word connections like Thunder and Sonic Boom....

A coincidental connection that could be seen as honoring the heritage of the franchise (or perceived as a slap in the face to the Seattle folks).