Will OKC's Thunder be Wichita's next big team to cheer for?

[swilki]

Came across this story from the NBC affiliate in Wichita, KS. Thought it was interesting.

http://www.ksn.com/content/news/extr...ZQEoQg39Q.cspx

WICHITA, Kansas – The Oklahoma City Thunder are living up to their name, taking the NBA by storm just a few years after moving to the Sooner State. They’re facing Dallas in the Western Conference Playoffs and on Saturday night, they return to their home court just a few hours down the road from Wichita. It leaves some wondering if the Thunder could ever be Wichita’s team to cheer for. For some, it already is.

From jump shots to slap shots and Wings to Wingnuts, there’s no shortage of sports in Wichita. But for the big league experience, fans are left to look beyond the state’s borders.

The racks at Sports Time Fan Shop tell the story of our allegiance.

“Chiefs, Royals for just basic stuff, and we also get the Red Sox, Yankees, Cowboys, Steelers and even the Broncos when they're doing pretty well,” said Megan McGuire with Sports Time Fan Shop.

The closest of those is Kansas City – a more than 200-mile trek up I-35. It’s more than five hours to watch the Cowboys and a 520-mile road trip to take in the Broncos. But now there’s a new player in pro sports and it’s the closest option of all – the Oklahoma City Thunder at just more than two hour away.......

[Kerry]

Thunder-up Wichita.

[SkyWestOKC]

Go Wichita!!

[HOT ROD]

Yes, Go Wichita.

I know many who drive down to games and/or are huge Thunder fans. ...

[earlywinegareth]

Yep, and I was ridiculed on the "Tulsa butthurt" thread for pointing out Wichita had a strong following.

[Laramie]

If we really want to build the OKC Thunder fan base in Wichita we should play at least one of our exhibition games there at the new Intrust Bank Arena which seats over 15,000:

http://www.intrustbankarena.com/

[MikeOKC]

If we really want to build the OKC Thunder fan base in Wichita we should play at least one of our exhibition games there at the new Intrust Bank Arena which seats over 15,000:

http://www.intrustbankarena.com/

That's an interesting idea. An NBA game in Wichita - they'd go nuts. That's one nice new arena, too.

[betts]

If we really want to build the OKC Thunder fan base in Wichita we should play at least one of our exhibition games there at the new Intrust Bank Arena which seats over 15,000:

http://www.intrustbankarena.com/

I think that's a superb idea.