NBA Team Name

[TornadoesFan]

Given the recent news reports (Owner: Goal to move Sonics to OKC), I think it's appropriate to discuss the team name now. The Oklahoma City SuperSonics just won't work. My vote is for the Oklahoma City Tornadoes. What do you think? Do you have a suggestion?

[Midtowner]

I think any discussion of this is so hypothetical right now that it's silly. We have to get a team first and even then, a name change is unlikely to be in the cards.

[Easy180]

Agreed

Guess for right now I would vote for the OKC Hypotheticals

[rugbybrado]

-okc warriors

with our native american past?

-okc rushers

landrun refernce?

-okc twisters

no after the movie twister. im out of ideas..

[TornadoesFan]

-okc warriors
with our native american past?

I don't think the NBA will allow the Golden State Warriors and the OKC Warriors. Also, there seems to be a negative trend with using Native American names for sports teams

-okc rushers
landrun refernce?

That sounds cool.

-okc twisters
no after the movie twister. im out of ideas..

I think this is the direction the team should go. No NBA team is using the reference and tornadoes are most identified with our area locally and nationally.

[Nixon7]

I don't think it's unreasonable to start brainstorming. It's a very real possibility.

OKC Thunder!

[okclee]

My Vote = Oklahoma City Supersonics.

[Blangdon]

Why would we change the name when it has such a historic past. Not to mention Oklahoma City is the HEADQUARTERS for the Sonic Corp. Talk about an easy corporate sponsor.

[NE Oasis]

Why would we change the name when it has such a historic past. Not to mention Oklahoma City is the HEADQUARTERS for the Sonic Corp. Talk about an easy corporate sponsor.

Preparing for a shift to Nosebleed, both of these are reasons Sonics should be shelved. Leave the history with the hoops fans in Seattle, and don't make Cliff Hudson feel like he is being blackmailed.

I prefer the Oklahoma Thunder to get the whole state involved (not without precedent, see Jazz, Utah) and for a name that is both appropriate to our state and a great tie in to the WNBA Storm.

[TornadoesFan]

Why would we change the name when it has such a historic past. Not to mention Oklahoma City is the HEADQUARTERS for the Sonic Corp. Talk about an easy corporate sponsor.

Why wouldn't you want to make it our own? Oklahoma City Supersonics feels like Oklahoma City Hornets, which was very temporary. I want the team to represent Oklahoma City, not the Seattle's history.

[Midtowner]

Careful not to use a name which would be better suited to the hypothetical NFL, MLB and NHL franchises we might get also.

[Easy180]

Careful not to use a name which would be better suited to the hypothetical NFL, MLB and NHL franchises we might get also.

Along those lines...Spurred on by Bennett's purchase I heard Bob Funk is looking at buying the San Diego Chargers

Can't wait til I can see LT running wild in Funk stadium

[Misty]

-
-okc twisters

..

We all know there is only one thing stronger here in OKC than a tornado.....my vote?

THE OKLAHOMA CITY GARY ENGLANDERS

[Blangdon]

Well as long as we dont name it some name that makes people in the US think of OK with the Grapes of Wrath or "Oklahoma!" images they already have.

On the other hand, many teams keep the mascot of their prior location. Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans, Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis. In other sports like baseball and football it's even more common Brooklyn to LA Dodgers, Giants, Colts etc. etc. etc.

It seemed to work out pretty well for them.

[metro]

I agree with Midtowner. It's too early and hypothetical to be discussing this. Nothing is set in stone until after Nov. 1st and then the BoG vote. Then it may be appropriate to discuss it if the team moves. Anything before then seems as gloating and might come back to bite you (and OKC!) in the butt. TornadoesFan, just curious but are you from Seattle? You're new to the board and your only posts have been in this thread. I know alot of Seattlites have been joining OKC boards to stir up controversy in the last week or so.

[OKC PATROL]

Dont count your chickens before they hatch.....but the OKC Sonics actually works for OKC more so than Seattle when the franchise was born....Speed of sound tests were conducted at Tinker....causing the SONIC BOOM to rock the houses and community near the tests. So it seems to be a perfect fit for OKC.

[TornadoesFan]

I agree with Midtowner. It's too early and hypothetical to be discussing this. Nothing is set in stone until after Nov. 1st and then the BoG vote. Then it may be appropriate to discuss it if the team moves. Anything before then seems as gloating and might come back to bite you (and OKC!) in the butt.

I see your point, however what do you have to talk about on this forum if it doesn't pertain to the Sonics? The Hornets are gone for good.

TornadoesFan, just curious but are you from Seattle? You're new to the board and your only posts have been in this thread. I know alot of Seattlites have been joining OKC boards to stir up controversy in the last week or so.

Nope, I'm not from Seattle and not interested in stirring up trouble. I was real close to the Charlotte Hornets departure and the arrival of the Bobcats so I know the pain of your team leaving (sorry Seattle) and a new one coming (go Bobcats). From my experience with the Hornets, OKC should feel confident the Sonics are leaving. It's all about the arena and the bill that passed last year has killed the likelihood of any arena deal going through in Seattle. Since the new owners are from OKC, my money is on OKC. I think you're going to see the same thing here. Everyone (including David Stern) will say the right things, but the team is headed to OKC. Been there, done that.

Also, the only reason I joined OKCTalk.com was for the Hornets/Sonics forum. Back to topic, I still like the sound of the Oklahoma City Tornadoes or something similar.

[metro]

I forgot to mention, this whole Sonic Drive-Ins and hypothetical OKC Sonics idea is the dumbest thing I've heard. Yeah, just what OKC needs for a tie-in, the nation's fattest city (according to many polls), tied into their first major league franchise. Get real. I'm all fine with Sonic Drive-Ins being a sponsor when we land an NBA team, but thinking they will be the "signature" sponsor just because of the teams name is ridiculous. Don't you think Chesapeake, Sandridge, Devon and others will still want to retain those rights? After all they are the owners of the Sonics as well as they stepped up to the plate when the Hornets were here. Where was Sonic during that time?

[OKC PATROL]

Well- everyone shouldnt get their panties in a wad over a name.....They aint changing the name people. And if they do....Well heck that will be great.

Oklahoma City sonic boom tests
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The Oklahoma City sonic boom tests, also known as Operation Bongo II, refer to a controversial experiment in which 1,253 sonic booms were unleashed on Oklahoma City, Oklahoma over a period of six months in 1964. The experiment, which ran from February 3 through July 29 inclusive, intended to quantify the effects of transcontinental supersonic transport (SST) aircraft on a city. The program was managed by the Federal Aviation Administration, which enlisted the aid of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the U.S. Air Force. Public opinion measurement was subcontracted to the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) of the University of Chicago.

It was not the first experiment, as tests had been done at Wallops Island, Virginia in 1958 and 1960, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in 1960 and 1961, and in St. Louis, Missouri in 1961 and 1962. However, none of these tests examined sociological and economic factors in any detail. The Oklahoma City experiments were vastly larger in scope, seeking to measure the boom's effect on structures and public attitude, and to develop standards for boom prediction and insurance data.

Oklahoma City was chosen, as the region's population was perceived to be relatively tolerant for such an experiment. The city had an economic dependency on the FAA Aeronautical Center and Tinker Air Force Base, both of which were based there.

[Easy180]

metro....Think you are on to something

Looks like a bona fide troll alert is appropriate here

$100 on a "Look they are already naming the team" thread out there on the Sonics forums

Even though I think others have already pulled out that trick months ago on here

[betts]

"Don't you think Chesapeake, Sandridge, Devon and others will still want to retain those rights? After all they are the owners of the Sonics as well as they stepped up to the plate when the Hornets were here. Where was Sonic during that time?"

Handing out free coupons for tater tots if the Hornets had five dunks in the third period. Sheesh! Oh, and the winners of section volleyball got a free cone.

[chuckdiesel]

OKC Outlaws....
Thats all I got.

[OkieKAS]

OKC BOOMERS

After all, they were the ones who really waited in line to get a legal spot to live in Oklahoma.

[HOT ROD]

Oklahoma City Thunderbolts!!! with a nickname of 'the bolts'.

I brought this up before, Thunderbolts/bolts would be a great name for OKC. It is not hick at all and still pays homage to the area's perception. Plus, Thunderbolt would make a terrific mascot and marketing tool. And, since many teams have nicknames (ala Seattle Supersonics -> Sonics, Portland Trailblazers -> Blazers, New York Knickerbockers -> Knicks), Thunderbolts -> Bolts follows this scheme, which provides yet another marketing angle (ie, bolts this or that).

I dont think we/you are being premature. As a Seattle resident, I do hope Bennett does retire the Supersonics name here. If we get another team, we could continue our NBA heritage.

You can have the WNBA Storm name tho, as it fits OKC. In fact, the NBA Thunderbolts and the WNBA Storm both fit OKC and even flow well together!!!

Talk about a HUGE marketing opportunity which would virtually ensure the success of an OKC marketed team. Even people in China or Kazacstan or wherever, who hear NBA Oklahoma City Thunderbolts/WNBA Oklahoma City Storm will IMMEDIATELY be able to assess what is meant by the name and make a connection.

Maybe I should submit my idea to Bennett/Aubrey and the boys, since they will have to move quickly (less than one year) to get everything up and running b4 next season.

[soonerfan21]

I like the Thunderbolts, as I can already hear all the negatives about some of the others:
Tornadoes- cause devastation; Boomers-linked with OU (Okay with me!); Warriors-teams are trying to disengage from Native American names . . . list goes on and on. But I don't think it is too early to throw names around.