I enjoyed reading this one.

Source: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3545957?source=rss

One thing though, our metro area population has grown quite a bit since 2000, now approaching 1.4 million, if not already. I don't know why they used the 2000 figures, because I'm wondering if Oklahoma City's still the smallest NBA city.

OUman

Nielsen's 2005-06 market figures ranked New Orleans, Memphis, and Oklahoma City 43, 44, 45, though New Orleans will presumably drop for 2006-07.

Next above: San Antonio (37), Salt Lake City (36).

I, for one, do not take much stock in "estimates" for population. When the 2000 census was released, the OKC metro was listed at 1.084 million which ended up being about 50,000 more than the estimates for the 2000 census. I agree that OKC is growing faster than what people think and it's at least 1.3 million by now. Of course, the defined MSA has changed slightly, but I think that having Grady county included in the statistics is better since there is major population growth going on in the far southwest metro. Those cities that are slightly ahead of OKC in market size won't be for long. If you look at the growth over the past 10-15 years, OKC is growing faster in real population growth and has more going for it economically not only now but years from now. I really think our metro will be at least 1.4 million by 2010. Hopefully, OKC will be the Hornets permanent home by then as well.

Remember, JOHNINOKC, Pottowatomie County was dropped, while Grady and Lincoln Counties were added. That DOES put us in a better position as far as population growth for the very reason you mentioned... the southwest portion of OKC is growing, while Pottowatomie County sustains slow growth.