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Arena of the near future
Plans to upgrade Ford Center carries sway with visiting NBA officials
Evidently, Mayor Mick Cornett was right.
If you upgrade it, they will come.
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NBA Analysis
Mar 25The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel and Darnell Mayberry discuss...
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Oklahoman City and the Ford Center impressed NBA commissioner David Stern and brass Tuesday.
BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
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As much as I appreciate Mayor Mick, he came across as heavy-handed before the March 4 special election.
Cornett insisted if a 15-month, penny tax extension was not approved by voters, Oklahoma City no longer would be a viable player for an NBA franchise.
It seemed an unnecessary scare tactic, given how OKC had proven itself worthy as the Hornets' temporary home.
NBA commissioner David Stern previously had tagged the Ford Center an acceptable facility and proclaimed Oklahoma City as the No. 1 candidate should a franchise ever relocate.
If Oklahoma City already had Stern's blessing, were $100 million in improvements to the Ford Center (and roughly $21 million for construction of a practice facility) truly necessary for us to become a relocation destination?
Apparently, yes.
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