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Old 07-07-2008, 11:46 PM
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HOT ROD HOT ROD is offline
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Default Re: Tulsa hates you.

Guys, please dont get too caught up in the name of the team. I think it rightfully should be called Oklahoma City __ because OKC took all of the risk and tax. Sure, the state is contributing a tax break but that does not take from anything nor does it mean anyone else is paying for the team. Please understand this and let's move on.

This will be a state team. The Sonics were the state team of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and even Alaska; yet it was named Seattle. Ditto that for the Mariners and Seahawks - and add in Oregon for those teams. Yet, all teams based in Seattle are/were named SEATTLE ___.

I honestly think if we were to name the team Oklahoma ___ that it would interfere SIGNIFICANTLY with the University of Oklahoma (you know, OU SOONERS...), arguably a top 5 marketed football school and near top in most other sports as well. Face it, Oklahoma is a top NCAA brand. ... That's in fact nothing to be ashamed of - but you MUST recognize that.

Sure there are states used in major-league teams. But is Utah a top NCAA school? No. Is Indiana? Nope. Is Arizona? Sort-of but no. Minnesota? Heck no. The ONLY team I can think of that is a top school but also a major league name is Florida, and the Marlins are a very recent addition. But even Florida is not a top 5 NCAA football school year after year like OU is. This is why it works there but would NOT work here.

I can tell you, that OKC officials set out to get a major-league team with the sole purpose of 1) bring top entertainment to THE CITY and 2) bring a marketing vehicle for THE CITY to get exposure to the world. Oklahoma City officials took this risk and Oklahoma City taxpayers agreed and have fronted the bill (as was aformentioned). Portland did the same thing with their Trailblazers - despite that team being the ONLY major-league franchise in that state.

It doesn't have anything to do with city officials now strutting their stuff or whatever, not at all. It is they always wanted a team to make OKLAHOMA CITY better - and the ONLY way to do this is to wear the city's name. Don't be offended, most other cities do it as well.

I, for one, am hoping that Tulsa can get their act together and possibly get a MLS or even an AFL team for BOK. I honestly don't think NHL would work - as it would be weird to have NHL in Tulsa and CHL in OKC (yet OKC is the bigger draw). But if it were to happen, or regardless of what team Tulsa were to get - I'd expect them to use their name. It's their team.

And while Im on this note, I can not understand - for the life of me - why the NBA-DLeague team Tulsa 66ers are NOT GOING TO PLAY IN THE NEW BOK CENTER..... I can NOT understand this. What is going on in TULSA???? Do they just sit on their asses complaining and don't even take care of what they have??????? You have a new arena and yet you don't even seat your TOP ENTERTAINMENT DRAW there?

Come on Tulsa guys, take care of YOUR house first - then worry about what others have. This is what OKC has done - and look at the benefits.

And sure, Tulsa will benefit by Oklahoma City's NBA team just like Tulsan's will support the team. But recognize that Tulsa will offer tangental support, not the prime support that OKC city residents will are and have. For this reason, I don't see any reason why the team shouldn't bear the name of it's owners - Oklahoma City.

Don't get mad.
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