Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

The NBA at OKC situation.
read the bottom paragraph very closely. since I ain't much a fan of an NBA team here in OKC - and better yet the circumstances surrounding this franchise - I find all of this very amusing. JMO

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=3349964

I just wonder something. maybe Bennett being inducted into whatever hall of fame here ij Oklahoma was a bit premature? and - I wonder if this could lose some votes for Mick Cornett. who vehemently backed the Ford Center improvements bill - and it could very well have been for nothing. the majority of people wanted the NBA here and if the best chance to get a professional team here in OKC ends up squandered in this fashion - well, I feel sorry for my fellow metropolitans. As the court case looms - most speculation says the court will rule for the Key Arena's lease - Bennett could try to buy out of it - but it seems like just maybe he pissed folks off the right people up there - they may not let him do it. well these are just my thoughts. take 2 minutes and read the article in the link and share thoughts.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Personally, I could care less about basketball. The thing I'm wondering about here is, Howard Schultz sold the team. What right in the world does he have to be concerned with what the new owner does with the team or where he takes it?

I was opposed to the tax extension for the intention to lure a team that didn't ask for or require the refurbishing of the practically new Ford Center.

Besides, Seattle currently holds an NFL team in the Seahawks and a MLB team in the Mariners. They don't have a hockey team though..... Perhaps we trade them the Blazers.

It's not HOW fast you go, but how you GO fast.

www.myspace.com/bucky65c

Apparently, Schultz claims that Bennett "promised" to keep the Sonics in Seattle. Sounds like a promise I used to make to the women I dated. : ) I lied too!!!!!

After the year the Blazers had, I for one would gladly send them to Seattle, except then I wouldn't know what to do in the off-season.

yeah this Schulz guy appears to be just trying to score browny points in his company's hometown. flaky at best. The key player here is KEY ARENA - with folks being as pissed as they are - there's a pretty good chance that if and when the judge rules for the Arena's lease - they won't accept any bids from Bennett. my biggest problem with this whole idea - is what what happens when 3 years from now - these same greedy bastards start chumming about needing a brand new 500 million dollar arena. There's no way they are leaving the 14th largest market to actually stay for a long time at the 45th largest market. The only way OKC could keep em here over the long haul is to pay un-godly amounts of money. F that.

But o well. as long as all these dirty bastards (including local elected officials) leave the speedway alone - I don't have a care.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

I agree with everything you said Fan. I would love it if this whole thing bloes up in their face.

What I could see happening, being that we get treated like step-children, is that the city claims they need a new arena. Someone on here posted that there was an article in the DO about someone said the grandstands were not structually sound. What would happen is that the track gets taken out to put a new arena in its place. I know it is a treck from bricktown and the so called entertainment to the fairgrounds but that way the arena could also foucus on the new things they are doing down there.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

In case someone hasn't heard, there's also a bill kicking around the state legislature to give those SOB's about $150-160 million in STATE tax breaks. Hey, it worked for GM, didn't it? Tank McNamara nailed it, I'm afraid. Somebody needs to really look into where the money is being spread around downtown and at the capitol.

All you NBA haters need to let it go. After tomorrow's vote, the team is coming. It might be this year or it might be in 2010 but they're coming. Get over it.

Oklahoma City will support the team despite its market size. Sacramento, Memphis and Salt Lake City are all comparable to OKC and are viable NBA markets.

Frankly, some of my discretionary entertainment budget will be spent on basketball season tickets. I had more fun during one season of being a Hornets ticket holder than I've had in the past ten years combined at SFS.

It's all about becoming a "big league" city. Oklahoma City is doing just that despite those, like you, who would like to see it do otherwise.

Let it go. You're starting to sound pathetic.

this isn't about how you feel towards the team personally Bill - or anyone else.

It's about these owners coming here and then gauging the shit out of the citizens for it. all for what? to be a big league city? thats great you are an ardent supporter of all these things............I wouldn't down anyone who is at all. I feel as with anything else there is a bigger picture. when you look at market size where is the motivation to stay - the answer is many things folks will never be allowed to know. there has to be an incentive for that. ok - dirty shit - fine by me. but it ain't gonna be fine with anyone if after a few years they say "build us a 400 hundred million dollar arena - or we go" it's all in "good faith" right?

I'm all for OKC having a team. I lie if I say I never will go. sure I will a few times. but it would be great to have owners who would not completely screw the fans and OKC citizens. all owners make sure to make millions and that is fine - but when these jackass owners have all the money they do - and backing - why is it left to taxpayers to build their arenas?

don't get into calling people pathetic or sad Bill. just shoot to join us in a discussion. myself or anyone else isn't trying to say a single negative thing about the folks and fans who want the team here and want to support it. we/I am questioning the ownership.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Yup, the NBA is coming to town. These people have money and power and are going to get their way. The tax breaks will pass, and they'll probably get their arena. It'll get built.... somewhere. The tax breaks worked for GM. And now, in the not too distant future, the remains of the GM plant will become part of TAFB. The Ford will be packed with Sonics fans. They will draw from a huge radius around OKC, and the town will have bragging rights to a major league sport franchise. How long they will stay is up to the money people that are running the show. They better make their choices on the arena carefully... I don't think the Air Force could bail out a 30,000 seat arena.

I'm not a basketball fan, but I'm happy for all here who are. I just hope the people controlling and running this thing don't fubar the setup in the long or short run for the sake of the citizens who will be footing the bill for so much of it.

As for the Blazers, oh, they're sticking around and will play in the Ford and maybe what's left of the Incomparable Myriad for a few games. We'll keep the team and maybe send the Coach to Seattle

. 

Yes they gave GM a tax break and then a few years later they took it back. That is one of the many reasons that GM isn't in Oklahoma today. Ford was all set to build a plant in Chandler and when they saw that the tax break was taken back they changed their mind

I have to agree with Bill. What if the state wanted to give tax breaks to get a nascar track or something along those lines? There would probably be just as many people bitching about that also. I think it will be good for the city. Alot of people complained about Bass Pro, but I don't think you can argue that it hasn't been good for bricktown. I only went to a couple of Hornets games but enjoyed them. Just let it play out and see what happens. Kinda like the people that bitched about the lottery and were against it, but bought a ticket every time they went to Kansas or Texas. Doesn't make sense.

Now lets go RACING

Buy me a beer tonight, Dave?

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

And the same applies to the Bass Pro Shop. If they decide to leave we're stuck with a HUGE building, that OUR taxes paid for. The real question is WHY!!!! WHY are the taxpayers paying for ANYTHING for a commercial enterprise of any sort. And if thats how we're going to spend tax money then lets see ALL businesses get some of it. WHY pick out a certain few large corporations and give them things they could easily afford themselves. Would you do the same for Joe's Bar and Grill, or any other Mom and Pop place???????

The taxpayers aren't paying anything for the basketball team except for a practice facility. Taxpayers are paying for an 18 or so month extension of the current MAPS tax. That money will improve the Ford Center and build the practice facility. My biggest complaint about the arena issue was the fact that the Ford Center shouldn't have been built on the cheap to begin with. The improvements being made will only make OKC more attractive to bigger concerts, more Big 12 tournaments, etc.

Okcfan, I didn't mean to offend you or anyone else with my comments, perhaps they were too harsh. You and I generally see issues on this board from a similar perspective.

David's idea about a NASCAR track had crossed my mind as well.

I can take the NBA or I can leave it, it makes me no differance. Although I am not a fan never have been. I have been to a hornets game and it was ok nothing special. My side is that there are IMO much better things to spend the money on than a practice gym. I understand that we would get more concerts and what not with the expansion of the Ford Center. But, when I go out in front of my house and drive down the road and almost bend a lower A arm b/c the potholes are so deep something is wrong with the picture as a whole. When we spend more on a practice gym than we do fixing our roads in the city.

I know everyone has their rights to an opinion and I respect that. At least we can come on here and talk about in a mature manner rather than some of the forums I visit.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

aw naw bill I didn't take any offense to it at all man. I know/knew how you meant it. It wasn't harsh. huge differences in criticizing an opinion and criticizing a person. we both know that all too well.

No I really appreciate your opinions on it. and anyone's from either side. you were just stating your thoughts in a very straightforwards manner - something I can highly appreciate.

I was/am all for the improvements with the Ford Center. I really like the prospects of Big 12 tourneys and stuff like that. and a professional team in OKC can have many good effects and stuff. My concern is with the guys who are bringing the team here. It just would not come as any suprise whatsoever if after 3-5 years these guys more or less tell citizens and taxpayers - give us 300 million for new arena or we go to Kansas City or somewhere like that. It's cool we gettin the team now - I just hope people don't support it at ANY costs. other than that - cool. I may not see many NBA games - but I sure might go watch the Big 12 or NCAA basketball tournaments. that would be really cool.

finally, I take 0 offense to your former post man. there just ain't enough folks who speak their mind and beliefs. I appreciate an open and direct opinion. especially those that differ with my own.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

I had always been skeptical of Bennett prior to his dealings with the Sonics simply because he is a Gaylord in-law. But I really think he has the interests of OKC in mind. At least I hope so.

At least the NBA ain't NASCAR.

OKCfan, I like your posts and appreciate your open mind to other opinions.

I just hope if they try to extort OKC residents ---- the way many pro franchises do in other cities - that folks won't go for it. I actually think OKC getting a pro franchise is cool. the city deserves it. I just hope there is a limit to what people will subject themselves to.

but honestly thats looking way off into the future at a worst case scenario that most likely won't come to pass. even with my criticism of how the Sonics situation has been handled ----- Howard Schulz KNEW as did EVERYONE else that when Bennett bought the team - he meant to move them to Oklahoma. thats the other side to my thoughts really. they all knew. if the folks up there really wanted the team to stay - they would have came out in huge #'s to support the franchise and send a message to the former owner not to sell the team to an Oklahoma guy. everyone knew OKC desired a franchise - if they really wanted to stop it they could have. especially Schulz. he's just grandstanding.

I don't know if I just flip-flopped or not. but the dismay that folks up there are showing is almost pathetic in its own right. where were all these people when Schulz was considering selling the team? My only criticism and concern is Oklahomans not blindly supporting it. its great to have a pro franchise. but with the new bill just approved for the For Center - it would be big bullshit if the owners pop up 2 or 3 years after the team comes here and says they want a new one. thats what I mean by blind support. It would not be good if folks were paying a substantial part of the expenses for new arenas, practice facilities, upgrades, and other stuff - but yet the owners who aren;t spending anything - still get 100% of the profit. If the city is going to pay for a lot of stuff - then the city should get a minority stake of ownership in the franchise. If owners reap 100% of the profit - they should pay 100% of the expenses. there's my sunday morning rant.

Nonwing - thanks for the sentiments. It kicks ass sharing opinions with people willing to listen and share theirs as well. I'm sure this Bennett guy has his wallet in mind - but thats no matter as long as it is not at the expense of taxpayers and citizens. so far things have got off on the wrong foot as those e-mails the dumbasses were trading may end up costing the city a couple years wait. I mean was that stupid or what? if they end up being forced to honor the key arena contract - then that means all because these e-mails they will lose millions and cost the city a 2 year wait. in fact, it would not completely suprise me that if the Key lease is upheld - these guys ended up selling the team. it was just a really stupid thing to do - and its why I say folks shouldn't just blindly support it.

and yes thank god it is the NBA coming here and not nascar. although - once we become a "big league city" - what will probably follow? it could very well be nascar. we have hockey and baseball covered with the Blazers and Redhawks and there is no large demand for pro franchises of those sports. football is probably too big to come here - but even then we have the Yard Dawgs and its said that they are doing well. Unfortunately - that leaves golf, tennis, and............paved racing (nascar).

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

I could handle a paved track as long as it involves USAC. Anyone that has ever seen how wicked fast sprints or midgets are on pavement will understand.

FAn I heard the other day on the radio that the city either wants to revap the Okc tennis club to a 12,000 seat stadium or build a brand new 12,000 seat tennis stadium.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen