New Arena Name

[Easy180]

MidFirst or Sonic would get the most out of the name exposure...I bet MidFirst lands it...No one to answer to and it would give them some street cred in AZ where they now have around 20 banking centers

[Steve]

Walmart Arena?
(I kid! I kid!)

[bornhere]

Why kid? WalMart's money is just as good as anyone else's.

[Swake2]

Why kid? WalMart's money is just as good as anyone else's.

Because that would be a terrible and embarrassing reinforcement of Oklahoma stereotypes. Even from Tulsa where to some that would be really, really funny, to me that had better not happen.

[metro]

Walmart Arena?
(I kid! I kid!)

Maybe your bosses will grace us with Gaylord Arena or OPUBCO Arena?

[Spartan]

Walmart Arena?
(I kid! I kid!)

I much prefer the Kickapoo Casino Arena.

[jn1780]

Walmart Arena?
(I kid! I kid!)

The group that owns the weather channel could call it "The Weather Center". LOL

[GoThunder]

How about Love's Country Stores puts in the winning bid and calls it the "Love's Shack"?

[dmoor82]

This city's going on a diet arena! lol just kiddin!

[kevinpate]

...

[Platemaker]

I much prefer the Kickapoo Casino Arena.

Interesting... I wouldn't mind a tribal sponsorship now that I think of it. Why not 'Chickasaw Arena'... sounds less obvious than a company.

[Thunder]

Bible Belt Center

[Platemaker]

NICE Thunder... and it's nickname could be 'The Buckle'

[Larry OKC]

Can someone post the complete article or a link to the complete article? It is archived and this is all I can see of it. Thanks in advance...

http://www.newsok.com/article/3265279
Naming rights: What's next? (Oklahoman, 07/03/2008)

The team's arrival in Oklahoma City triggers the start of a lease with Oklahoma City, and also a 90-day period in which the Oklahoma Ford Dealers have exclusive rights to negotiate a new sponsorship deal with the city and the Professional Basketball Club LLC . If a deal is not struck after that 90-day period, the team is free to seek a new sponsor. But during the next 180 days, the Oklahoma Ford Dealers must be given a...

[jn1780]

Can someone post the complete article or a link to the complete article? It is archived and this is all I can see of it. Thanks in advance...

http://www.newsok.com/article/3265279
Naming rights: What's next? (Oklahoman, 07/03/2008)

Are you talking about the latest article or the 08 article? The link to the article I posted hasn't been archieved yet.

On another note:
They have been negotiating with the Ford dealers since July 08 or was a interim contract passed since then?

[metro]

How about Love's Country Stores puts in the winning bid and calls it the "Love's Shack"?

That would be hilarious, but I don't think Love's has that sort of money. If anything, they need to spend $300 bucks and get their logo updated and redesigned.

[Kerry]

How about Hobby Lobby. They could call the building the, well, Hobby Lobby.

My guess is the that Ford Motor Company will take over the name themselves, with maybe the existing Ford Dealers still putting up their share. BTW, the new arena in Louisville is The KFC Yum! Center. Even WalMart Arena is better than that.

Ford payed $40 million over 20 years for Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions). With local Ford dealers already paying half of that, FMC could get a bargin. The Thunder will win the NBA Championship before the Lions ever make the playoffs.

[CaseyCornett]

NICE Thunder... and it's nickname could be 'The Buckle'

Perfect. haha

[Larry OKC]

Are you talking about the latest article or the 08 article? The link to the article I posted hasn't been archieved yet.

On another note:
They have been negotiating with the Ford dealers since July 08 or was a interim contract passed since then?

The 08 article...

No interim one that I am aware of, and no need for one, as long as they are in the negotiating period (the partial 08 article indicates only 90 days and then another 180 days to match any higher offers), it is all a moot point. My reading of it is a new deal is time barred at this point and the original naming rights deal has been/is in full force.

[kevinpate]

The 08 article...

No interim one that I am aware of, and no need for one, as long as they are in the negotiating period (the partial 08 article indicates only 90 days and then another 180 days to match any higher offers), it is all a moot point. My reading of it is a new deal is time barred at this point and the original naming rights deal has been/is in full force.

Generally speaking, if you want to interpret a lease, it would be better to use the actual language than rely on a media report. Also in general terms, as I've never read the lease, I would find it rather odd that a pack of business folk who managed to dodge the bullets they dodged to get the team and then negotiate a rather favorable lease for their club went and locked down a early on or never ever provision for something as potentially lucrative as naming rights for the arena. I could be wrong in my belief, but it would take a lot before I bet against that belief.

[OKCNDN]

The Del Rancho Arena.

With "The Fried Okra Concourse".

As well as "Steak Sandwich Supreme Court".

[Platemaker]

hehe

[Larry OKC]

Generally speaking, if you want to interpret a lease, it would be better to use the actual language than rely on a media report. Also in general terms, as I've never read the lease, I would find it rather odd that a pack of business folk who managed to dodge the bullets they dodged to get the team and then negotiate a rather favorable lease for their club went and locked down a early on or never ever provision for something as potentially lucrative as naming rights for the arena. I could be wrong in my belief, but it would take a lot before I bet against that belief.

I agree, but in the absence of the original agreement, this is what we have. I have read many an Oklahoman court case where specific time language such as the very specific 90/180 day language is used and cases have been overturned/thrown out/affirmed based on those parameters.

This time restriction was written before the Team ever got involved and they didn't have any control over it. Sort of like agreeing to the Key lease when they bought the team and then trying to get out of it early or getting a new building/lease. The contract was what it was and they went to court over it. The time limitation change would have to have been agreed to by all parties involved (including the Ford group) and it doesn't seem like it would be in their best interest to do so.

[OKCDrummer77]

The Del Rancho Arena.

With "The Fried Okra Concourse".

As well as "Steak Sandwich Supreme Court".

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!
All having tickets before the honorable, the Thunder of Oklahoma City are admonished to draw near and make a little noooiiiiise!! as the starting lineups are now being introduced. God save this team and the National Basketball Association.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyez

[bombermwc]

OK so now that it's being called Oklahoma City Arena...how long do you think we have to wait for it to be tagged with a name? Seems like they should have left the Ford Center stuff along until a new one was in place. It looks so naked with the signage!