When the Ford Center opened its doors to the public at 2 p.m. on Saturday, all kinds of people flooded through the turnstiles.
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Some wanted the chance to skate on the same ice the Blazers do. Some wanted to see if it really was all that hard to kick an Arena League field goal. Some wanted a chance to sink the game-winning shot on the hardwood. Some just wanted the free food.
And some, like Dan Curtsmith and his son Colton, wanted to sit in every section of the Ford Center they could.
"We're big NBA fans,” said CurtSmith, an Oklahoma City resident. "We want to see where the best place to watch the game will be.”
The 11,000-plus ticket requests is evidence Oklahomans are head-over-heels excited about Oklahoma City's new NBA endeavor, and Saturday was the perfect day for fans like the Curtsmiths to check out the team's new home.
"Well, I think this is a great place for them to be,” said Tonya Murphy of Edmond. "It's a nice building and it's big enough.”
Ford Center officials are busy making sure their nice building is in tip-top shape for professional sports.
In March, voters overwhelmingly approved a $100 million Ford Center renovation project, and although the building won't be finished before the NBA tips off in November, plans are in the works.
"Our number one priority right now is getting the lighting and wiring right,” said Tim Linville, director of sales and marketing for the Ford Center. "When the building was built, it was up to NBA standards. But those standards have changed, mostly because of the demand for high-definition television.”
Linville said the Ford Center might have to close its doors to concerts and other events next summer for construction.
We in WA were lectured that the team belongs to Clay Bennett and HE can do what it wants to with it(including moving it to OKC) and HE wants it to be called OKC. It is HIS toy-no one elses. If people want to pay for it they can enjoy it with him but in the end-it BELONGS to HIM.
I've been in Many "Big Cities" around the US and we have so much more. Our city stands higher. We have al lower price per capita, so things don't cost as much, therefore we may not be one of the richest. We are in the way it counts. We still care for our city and one another. Most "Big Cities" can not say that. I would not want to live any other city than here!
M, you posted the SAME comment on 3 forums I've read now. While you're entitled to your opinion, and I can respect that - you're starting to look like a troll. Im not so sure that OKC needs Tulsa as bad as you think. In reality, OKC needs Tulsa MOSTLY in Media Market, not at the turnstiles. OKC has 1.4M in its metro - that's plenty of people to fill 41 home games. OKC will get lots of support from Wichita (I questioned people there on a recent visit and EVERYONE I talked to said they would go to some games or get season tix). You need to get off of the name of the team - its Oklahoma City ___; accept it. OKC is NOT being selfish, OKC payed for the team. And don't go giving that b.s. like Paul Yukon (another troll) about the state's incentive. Once and for all, those are payroll tax rebates on the NEW JOBS created by Bennett. No money is going from Tulsa or wherever to Bennett, he is only getting a rebate on the top portion of the payroll taxes he has to pay for the new jobs. Again, new jobs means there is no existing tax base being impacted. So, come on now - Im sick and tired of seeing every story trolled with the same old arguments (and even posts, like M muskogee). While I can respect your opinion and even constructive criticism, it is only constructive if you offer a solution that is with fact and without bias - and so far yours have not included either.
M...I would be glad to make this Oklahoma's team if you can convince the rest of the state to agree to a tax increase. You didn't pay, so you don't get to play. Or if you want you can drive over here and watch the team, eat our food, and buy our gas. I realize that people from Tulsa are jealous, but it isn't hard to understand that OKC has had better Mayors than Tulsa and the citizens of OKC have made sacrifices while Tulsa has not. Enjoy the preseason like OKC has in past seasons. Oh and elect a Mayor who is worth a crap.
The truth is both OKC and Tulsa are among the poorest big cities in the country. I am not trying to be ugly at all and I wish it were different for both cities. I honestly believe for the long term success of the team both cities support will be needed.
Hey M from Muskogee, if it wasn't for OKC MAPS that built the Ford Center and other things, the BOK Center in Tulsa never would have been built. It is in the contract that OKC is in the name and that they play all regular season games in the OKC. Tulsa like other parts of the state will embrace and support this team. Thanks to the great leadership we have in OKC that made this all possible. Tulsa is just now catching on. There is more money in OKC...
I know what they are going to do philip. I am suggesting that it is not the best way to handle it. OKC deserves the team no debate there. But why alienate 1/3 of the states population when it is not necessary? It would be painless for OKC to really share this team and truly get people statewide excited. Do you think 5-10 regular season games in Tulsa would hurt OKC? If so how? It seems win, win in my opinion. OKCs selfish attitude may turn around and get them.
The team will need support from all over the state, m but the team is going to be called Oklahoma City and all regular season and playoff games will be played at the Ford Center.
If Oklahoma City wants to keep their team for more than five years they better include Tulsa. It will be the only way to make this franchise a permanent success. The team should be called the Oklahoma (insert favorite nickname), and Tulsa should get a few (5-10) regular season games at their pretty new BOK center. The preseason games they are giving to Tulsa are an insult. OKC will not admit it now but they need Tulsa to make this work and it seems like they are trying to alienate them from the start.
I was there David and I didn't see anyone that looked homeless. Who ever you heard that from obviously has no idea what they're talking about and in the future you should probably take what they say with a grain of salt. We really don't have a big homeless problem in OKC like they do in places like Seattle or even San Antonio.
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I've been in Many "Big Cities" around the US and we have so much more. Our city stands higher. We have al lower price per capita, so things don't cost as much, therefore we may not be one of the richest. We are in the way it counts. We still care for our city and one another. Most "Big Cities" can not say that. I would not want to live any other city than here!