Oklahoma City Wants an NBA Team
And They’ll Pay for It
The people of Oklahoma City have spoken, and what they’re saying is that they’re willing to bite the (financial) bullet to get their hands on the Sonics. Yesterday, a $120 million tax package aimed at bringing the city its first pro sports franchise was easily passed.
More than 60 percent of Oklahoma City voters favored the 15-month, one-cent sales tax to fix up the city’s Ford Center arena and build a new NBA practice facility, according to unofficial final returns from the Oklahoma County Election Board.
Though Seattle officials are doing their best to brush aside the vote, it’s a pretty clear signal that OKC is ready and willing to become an NBA city. Tellingly, David Stern reiterated his pro-OKC stance (and had nothing but contempt for Seattle’s city leaders) when he met the media in Portland last night.
Next month, the NBA’s Board of Governors will vote on whether or not the widely-despised Clay Bennett will be granted his wish to move the Sonics from Seattle. Don’t expect any miracles, kids.
30 Responses to “Oklahoma City Wants an NBA Team”
Mar.5 at 2:02 pm
riggs says:
oklahoma city supersonics just doesnt have a ring to it.
Mar.5 at 2:22 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
can you think of the oklahoma city anything that sounds good? I think pro sports franchises that demand tax insentives can slag off. Thouth the fans of seattle will miss their team, good on the citizens for not caving into the demands of a very non essential service for a tax break.
Mar.5 at 2:25 pm
FLUD says:
The Oklahoma City Lips. (after the flaming lips)the logo could be amazing.
Mar.5 at 2:38 pm
Dekker says:
what I don’t understand is why the league, and David Stern in particular, treat the city of Seattle as if they haven’t given the Supersonics a fair shake with regards to getting an arena deal. First, it should be the NBA’s and the Supersonic’s responsibility to bring offers to the table when they are essentially asking the people of Seattle for money. The offer they did bring was for a $500 Million!!! arena outside the city of Seattle and away from the neighborhoods that benefit economically from having an NBA franchise in the city. All that was asked of OKC voters was $121 Million. There is a clear double standard here.
Mar.5 at 2:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
For a variety of reasons, I’ve only just gotten around to reading Dave Zirin’s Welcome to the Terrordome, in which he attacks (among other deserving targets) the trend of local communities cutting funding for things like after school programs and feeding poor people and caring for AIDS patients, then OK’ing tax hikes for sports arenas. It’s an argument worth considering.
Mar.5 at 3:04 pm
TADOne says:
I may need to get that book. Dave Zirin is deep.
Mar.5 at 3:13 pm
T Money says:
Sportz iz beta dan ejamacayshin
Mar.5 at 3:25 pm
iLL wiLL says:
Just call the team Oklahoma City.
Mar.5 at 4:18 pm
G Diesel says:
….
Mar.5 at 4:52 pm
jay says:
i think it would be a tradegy for seattle to lose a team but hey the okc is doing a good job of selling…..lord stern for getting a team to the auto arena aka the ford center!
Mar.5 at 4:57 pm
rav says:
just think that those selfish bastard millionaires who own the sonics want government money for a new arena whilst 7 schools are shutting down - i’d love it for durant to come out and say something, but he probably got told to keep quiet about it
Mar.5 at 5:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I suppose we’re spoiled having 37 pro sports franchises in the NYC area (which, as far as I’m concerned is the entire Eastern seaboard), but asking regular citizens to help billionaires profit is absolutely disgusting. And how is Key Arena so bad anyway? Madison Square Garden was built in 1968 and I don’t see anyone trying to move the Knicks to Iowa.
Mar.5 at 5:15 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Seattle citizens, you did the right thing. We’re damn near in a recession after all. FTH or actually FCB
Mar.5 at 5:32 pm
Wm Hein says:
What most people don’t know is that OKC citizenry has voted in billions in taxes on themselves to fund new schools, roads, care programs, etc. And so the economy has never been better. People are moving into the city and the average wages are rising quickly. It is a great place to live with people who are willing to invest to make it even better. While other communities continue to believe that you can save yourself into prosperity, Oklahomans know that you often have to invest and sacrifice to get what you want and need. So while the rest are content to stand pat, we choose to invest in a future.
Mar.5 at 6:11 pm
David says:
To me, the most annoying thing in the whole sonics issue has been the way that Stern already seemed sold on the deal and opposed to any negotiations with Seattle. My brother’s suggested that if Seattle does get another team later they keep the “Super” adjective - e.g. the Seattle SuperHornets. Or the SuperGrizzlies. And I think the OKC team should be called the Bandits.
Mar.5 at 6:13 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
How about the OKC Bushs. And super Grizzlies is a fabulous idea.
Mar.5 at 6:15 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
Sports aren’t the only industry guilty of milking government cheese, just the most infantile.
Mar.5 at 7:36 pm
albie1kenobi says:
when the move officially happens, i’m going to be really sad. Shawn Kemp should employ his baby mami army to take out Clay.
Mar.5 at 8:07 pm
Holy Baller says:
To rav: why the hell would Durant say anything? His home is in Texas, bets are he’s glad that they’re moving closer.
Mar.5 at 10:27 pm
boobie_gibson says:
Oklahomo lol
Mar.6 at 12:44 am
jmac says:
it should be OKLAHOMA RANGERS
Mar.6 at 2:01 am
Bryant Reeves says:
Ryan - would it help if the team was renamed the Oklahoma AIDS patients?
Mar.6 at 2:21 am
Mike says:
The Oklahoma Raiders
Mar.6 at 7:47 am
maio says:
The OKC Hijackers.
Mar.6 at 7:48 am
maio says:
“Bombers” would be utterly distasteful so I’m not even mentioning it.
Mar.6 at 8:28 am
Blacky says:
The Oklahoma Wranglers a throwback to the AFL team lol
Mar.6 at 8:30 am
Blacky says:
The Oklahoma Outlaws the colors could be black/orange just like the Buffalo Braves from back in the day . . .
Mar.6 at 11:47 am
Wm Hein says:
“Thunderbirds” is gaining steam. It is proposed out of respect to our Native American history and for the history of the 45th Infantry Thunderbirds protecting our country in WWII
Mar.7 at 1:43 am
Demoney says:
Billionaire arrogance and closed door politics have heightened the SuperSonics Situation to a point of no return. Though no one knows the future, there is a new professional league kickihng off at The Key Arena June 6. This league is unique and unlike any other game out there, and no its not STREETBALL or another NBA wanabe. Stay Tuned B-BALL Luvaz we’re coming and we’re coming strong!!!
May.19 at 11:21 am
Miles says:
I really hope they come to Oklahoma, they are most likely going to be called The Oklahoma City Outlaws, or ThunderBirds, and the colors will be Black and Gold, its going to be sweet