Tulsa 66er's to move to OKC

[Bullbear]

Didn't see a post of this but thought it was interesting.. if someone already had it posted feel free to move this.

Thunder To Move 66ers To OKC - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

[Pete]

Thunder officials are currently in discussions with the City of Oklahoma City to play the team’s 24 regular-season home games at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, directly across the street from Chesapeake Energy Arena. Along with the move of the team, the business and basketball operations of the D-League team will also relocate to Oklahoma City. The team will train at the Thunder Community Events Center in Edmond, the original training home of the Thunder from 2008-11. The move of the 66ers is subject to NBA D-League approval.

Interesting.

Just a little more to do downtown.

[Dennis Heaton]

I just wish "they" would rename the Arena to "Thunder Arena," or just something with the Thunder name in it.

[Bullbear]

I just wish "they" would rename the Arena to "Thunder Arena," or just something with the Thunder name in it.

Da Thunder Dome!!!! lol

[Mississippi Blues]

#SaveOur66ers

[bombermwc]

I'm wondering why they didn't pursue something at the TCC. It's twice the size of Spirit, but about half of Cox. I mean the BOK is going to be way too expensive compared to the crappy little Spirit Bank place. But at 4,500, heck the UMAC is bigger than that. Moving to the Cox is going to make them feel like no one is at the game. In Tulsa that's the only pro or semi pro basketball IN town. If you can't fill a 4,500 seat place there, what makes you think you can fill one 3 times the size in a similar sized city that has an NBA team here too? Im just afraid it's not a good move for them. I just don't understand why they wouldn't move to TCC.

[Pete]

They may have determined it was better to have all their operations in OKC. It says the 66ers will use the Thunder practice facility.

The "we couldn't find a good location in Tulsa" line may just be an excuse to move to them down.

[Bullbear]

They may have determined it was better to have all their operations in OKC. It says the 66ers will use the Thunder practice facility.

The "we couldn't find a good location in Tulsa" line may just be an excuse to move to them down.

Actually they will use the Thunders Old practice facility.

[Dustin]

Wow. Tulsa probably REALLY hates us now!

[AP]

lol tulsa

[bradh]

love this move, it's great for the organization

[FighttheGoodFight]

This is an interesting move.

Do you think Tulsa no longer wanted this?

[Laramie]

I'm wondering why they didn't pursue something at the TCC. It's twice the size of Spirit, but about half of Cox. I mean the BOK is going to be way too expensive compared to the crappy little Spirit Bank place. But at 4,500, heck the UMAC is bigger than that. Moving to the Cox is going to make them feel like no one is at the game. In Tulsa that's the only pro or semi pro basketball IN town. If you can't fill a 4,500 seat place there, what makes you think you can fill one 3 times the size in a similar sized city that has an NBA team here too? Im just afraid it's not a good move for them. I just don't understand why they wouldn't move to TCC.

Oklahoma City 66ers?

If the Thunder wanted to break-even or make a modest D-League profit; Wichita, Lawton, Enid or Topeka probably would have been a better option. The NBA D-League franchise is moving to the Cox Convention Center where there will probably be some spill-over support since the Peake has been a sellout for the Thunder for four and a half seasons.

This is an interesting move.

Do you think Tulsa no longer wanted this?

The UMAC (5,662-seat Union Multipurpose Activity Center) would have been a good option; however its Tulsa's pride. Let's agree on one thing, Tulsa did not like to play the role of farm city to its big sister--can you blame them.

'The team will train at the Thunder Community Events Center in Edmond, the original training home of the Thunder from 2008-11.'

Thunder NBA Development League Team to Relocate to Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City Thunder

Will this move to the Cox CC put the squeeze on the AHL Barons?

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Throckmorton]

The "we couldn't find a good location in Tulsa" line may just be an excuse to move to them down.

66ersgate!

[bombermwc]

Wichta would be a great location. Wichita State has an EXCELLENT basketball tradition and Intrust Arena is about the size of the Cox Center. But they would be the only PRO basketball in the state. Intrust is about 5k more seats than the WSU arena...think Lloyd Noble to The Peake.

Maybe they'll hang out in OKC until they can make a comfortable deal for the next year. I honestly don't think it's a good idea to put your farm team in the same city as your pro team....and especially not in a city the size of OKC. The Thunder will definitely survive, but I'm not so sure about the 66ers....or as mentioned, The Barons. Something's gotta give 'cause there just aren't enough people to support it all. Heck, look at the Redhawks. Attendance there SUCKS! Of course they suck pretty hard as a team ever since the switch to the Astros too. No one in OKC cares about the Astros. You cant drive 3 hours and be in a pro game in Arlington and have people you recognize float between the two cities. Maybe with the 66ers in Wichita, they would be free of feeling like OKC leftovers like Tulsa did. And with the feeder/parent relationship, maybe we could see some I-35 traffic attracted.

[Zuplar]

Not surprising as this is going to start being a trend for farm teams in all sports.

[bradh]

Wichta would be a great location. Wichita State has an EXCELLENT basketball tradition and Intrust Arena is about the size of the Cox Center. But they would be the only PRO basketball in the state. Intrust is about 5k more seats than the WSU arena...think Lloyd Noble to The Peake.

Maybe they'll hang out in OKC until they can make a comfortable deal for the next year. I honestly don't think it's a good idea to put your farm team in the same city as your pro team....and especially not in a city the size of OKC. The Thunder will definitely survive, but I'm not so sure about the 66ers....or as mentioned, The Barons. Something's gotta give 'cause there just aren't enough people to support it all. Heck, look at the Redhawks. Attendance there SUCKS! Of course they suck pretty hard as a team ever since the switch to the Astros too. No one in OKC cares about the Astros. You cant drive 3 hours and be in a pro game in Arlington and have people you recognize float between the two cities. Maybe with the 66ers in Wichita, they would be free of feeling like OKC leftovers like Tulsa did. And with the feeder/parent relationship, maybe we could see some I-35 traffic attracted.

Hey now, I care about the Astros!

What you should realize about the 66ers is, they don't exist to make money, it's to develop players. I think it could be nice having the farm here, to be that close to the parent club.

[bradh]

Not surprising as this is going to start being a trend for farm teams in all sports.

So true

[Anonymous.]

Honestly I bet this has more to do with the team and organization than anything.

Now all operations will be in OKC - no more traveling the turnpike (although it wasn't hard).

Now the players on the active OKC roster can easily attend and coach and be involved with the D leaguers without making a trip out of it.


This is a good move for the overall chemistry.

[KenRagsdale]

Wichta would be a great location. Wichita State has an EXCELLENT basketball tradition and Intrust Arena is about the size of the Cox Center. But they would be the only PRO basketball in the state. Intrust is about 5k more seats than the WSU arena...think Lloyd Noble to The Peake.

Maybe they'll hang out in OKC until they can make a comfortable deal for the next year. I honestly don't think it's a good idea to put your farm team in the same city as your pro team....and especially not in a city the size of OKC. The Thunder will definitely survive, but I'm not so sure about the 66ers....or as mentioned, The Barons. Something's gotta give 'cause there just aren't enough people to support it all. Heck, look at the Redhawks. Attendance there SUCKS! Of course they suck pretty hard as a team ever since the switch to the Astros too. No one in OKC cares about the Astros. You cant drive 3 hours and be in a pro game in Arlington and have people you recognize float between the two cities. Maybe with the 66ers in Wichita, they would be free of feeling like OKC leftovers like Tulsa did. And with the feeder/parent relationship, maybe we could see some I-35 traffic attracted.

Oklahoma City Redhawks game attendance is better than most, less than others:

BaseballAmerica.com: Stats

2012 Baseball Attendance by Average | News

[jccouger]

Its a good move for the Thunder in being able to scout upcoming talent.

Also, I just gotta believe OKC residents are more interested in attending 66ers games than residents of any other city in the world. Attendance will sky rocket. People that are obsessed with the Thunder will gladly pay less money to go watch future Thunder players.

[kwhey]

I just wish "they" would rename the Arena to "Thunder Arena," or just something with the Thunder name in it.

No

[warreng88]

Will this move to the Cox CC put the squeeze on the AHL Barons?

I have a feeling this will be the last year of the Barons.

[kwhey]

Definitely putting the squeeze on the Barons.

[GoOKC1991]

Yeah, the Barons are done after this season. Connect the pieces

1. NOTHING heard about an extension with the Cox Center
2. Prodigal turning their attention to soccer
3. Now this