Should the Sonics be allowed an early exit to Oklahoma City, the BOK Arena in Tulsa which opens in September 2008 could be used because of the limited dates now available at the Fabulous Ford Center.

BOK Center progress

The Sonics were not allowed to reserve dates at the Ford Center because of pending litigation and trail where the City of Seattle is trying to enforce the Sonics to play out the remaining two years of their lease in Seattle's ancient (rebuilt) KeyArena.

Well that's major-league suckage. Just let them stay up there another year. Better than letter those idiots up to the NE stake claim in them.

Hell, lets get 'em to oklahoma, not all the games would be played in tulsa, some dates are available.

Come on people, having the team play some games in Tulsa wouldn't kill us; besides, that a nice little drive (93 miles, Turner Turnpike).

Maybe it will spur them to get an NHL team for the BOK Center. I sure we would want a few exhition games if the team is called Oklahoma.

I wouldn't be for the team playing anything but exhibition games there after the first year but if they had to play a few games there the first year because of scheduling conficts it may go a long way in helping to establish the fan base in that part of the state. That certainly wouldn't be a bad thing.

Establishing a fan base would be great and insure the team's longevity in Oklahoma City.

Playing no more than 6 games in Tulsa couldn't hurt. Especially since the team will be called Oklahoma City. The Hornets played about four to six of their games in New Orleans and Baton Rouge to keep the interest alive.

Tulsans purchased about 2,500 seaon tickets the second year the Hornets were here. They (Hornets) sold 12,000 season tickets in three weeks, and this team did not favor the Oklahoma name.

I predict that 16,000 season tickets will be sold the first year the team (Sonics) is allowed to relocate to Oklahoma.

Clay, Aubrey & PBC has all the right people in place to have a competitive team, and a real championship winner in 3 to 5 years.

I love how you guys forget that if it wasn't for Tulsa the team would NOT be coming to Oklahoma. Playing a game or two in Tulsa would be a good idea the last thing I want to see is the team leave the state in five years.

Please articulate, and remember claims made without evidence can be disproven without evidence.

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...this shortest straw has been pulled for you

How many times did David Stern say Tulsa? Answer that and you have your evidence.

Well, I'm writing "Tulsa", so what does that mean? How would OKC not land the team if Tulsa didn't step up?

- OKC residents voted to build the Ford Center
- OKC investors bought the team
- OKC residents voted to improve the Ford Center
- OKC investors, now owners of an NBA franchise, decided to pack up and move to OKC

Did I miss something? I'm not slamming Tulsa; I love Tulsa. I just don't see how OKC wouldn't have an NBA team without Tulsa.

Asking how many times someone says a name isn't evidence. What did David Stern say about Tulsa? Did David Stern say OKC wouldn't get the team without Tulsa? Answer that.

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...this shortest straw has been pulled for you

Yes he did he said that when he found out how close Tulsa was to OKC he felt more comfortable about the team moving to OKC. He also said he wanted to name the team "Oklahoma" because Tulsa was so close. Tulsa never said anything about naming it "Oklahoma" that was the NBA.

This is a REALLY dumb debate

1. Feeling more at ease knowing another major city is just up the turnpike doesn't mean he wouldn't support the NBA moving to OKC without Tulsa. Oklahoma City has proven it can support an NBA franchise; having another large city within driving distance is really just icing on the cake. Feeling more comfortable and and saying the team can't move to OKC without Tulsa are two completely different things.

2. The owners of the OKC NBA wanted to move the team to OKC. Oklahoma City had already proven it can support an NBA franchise and OKC residents had just voted to upgrade the Ford Center, again showing they can and WILL support the team. When the NBA board of governors decided to approve the move, these factors were the reason they gave the thumbs up. Having Tulsa in the mix simply made the deal look even better.

3. Stern NEVER said he wanted the name to be "Oklahoma". He simply said the team should consider the possibility. All names considered, they have nothing to do with whether or not OKC could've landed the team without Tulsa.

Show me where Stern or any other NBA-affiliated employee stated OKC wouldn't have the team without Tulsa. Remember, I'm not against Tulsa having a few preseason games in the BOK. I want Tulsa to be a part of this team and, on a personal note, want to see Tulsa progress like OKC has. I just don't agree with your logic.

After all OKC investors, leadership and residents have done to land the team, it's a bit arrogant for people in Tulsa to say that OKC wouldn't have the team without them.

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...this shortest straw has been pulled for you

I second that.

This is Oklahoma City's team.

The Nashville Predators are back on the market; Tulsa should go after this team and call it Oklahoma and claim Oklahoma City as part of your market.

Personally, I would love to drive up to Tulsa for 4-6 games in the BOK Center. It would be good for getting the team's footprint State-wide; however, I know Tulsa, you will not be outdone by Oklahoma City. The competition is great for both cities. What's bad about this, a sister shouldn't hit on her sister's boyfriend.

The NHL would be a better fit for Tulsa, especially with OKC just 88 miles down the turnpike, I would be first in line for two season tickets.


Here is what David Stern also said:

He did not want a repeat of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings franchise where 30 some odds games were played in Kansas City's Kemper Arena and 10 games played in the Minicipal Auditorium in Omaha.

Clay does want to cater to the Tulsa market; he needs to be careful about his approach.