Jobs: Basketball team thanks state leaders for tax breaksax breaks
Jobs: Basketball team thanks state leaders for tax breaks
By Michael McNutt
Published: April 18, 2008
The Seattle SuperSonics' Oklahoma-based owners will have a financial package deal from their home state when their request to move the team to Oklahoma City is taken up today during a meeting of NBA owners.
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House members voted 67-32 to approve the measure, Senate Bill 1819. After the vote, House members voted 69-29 — one more vote than required — to make the legislation take effect as soon as the governor signed it.
SB 1819 expands the state's Quality Jobs Act to permit the SuperSonics to get tax rebates for the next 15 years for the new jobs it brings to the state. The team has about 170 jobs with a $74 million payroll, said House Speaker Chris Benge, House author of the measure.
Benge, R-Tulsa, said the deal was necessary to attract Oklahoma's first own major league sports team. The Hornets moved to Oklahoma City temporarily for two seasons after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005.
"I don't want to leave anything for chance,” Benge said. "This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Clay Bennett, chairman of the Seattle SuperSonics, said, "I want to thank and commend legislators of both parties and Governor Henry for their support of SB 1819. The strong show of support sends a powerful message to the NBA and my fellow owners that the state of Oklahoma recognizes the value and understands the economic impact an NBA franchise will have on our state.
"Special thanks are in order for Senators Mike Morgan and Glenn Coffee, Speaker Chris Benge and Representative Danny Morgan whose leadership resulted in the bipartisan approval of the bill.”
SB 1819 extends the program to cover a 15-year period instead of 10 years. It also puts a reimbursement cap on the incentives from the state to not exceed the top tax rate in Oklahoma. The tax rate is 5.5 percent.
It is estimated that local and state tax revenue to the state over a 15-year period will be $11.2 million, Benge said.
The Quality Jobs program started in 1993 as a way for the state to better compete for manufacturing jobs. About 500 companies benefit from the program.
Rep. Randy Terrill, who debated against the measure, said the Oklahoma-based ownership group of the SuperSonics was getting a special deal.
"This is a giveaway, plain and simple,” said Terrill, R-Moore.
Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said he was skeptical that SB 1819 was necessary to get the NBA team to Oklahoma City.
"They're going to come no matter what we do today,” he said.
The change is part of a requested financial package the team needed to make the move to Oklahoma. Economic incentives through Quality Jobs program were included as being a necessary component for the SuperSonics to move to Oklahoma City in an agreement signed between team owners and city officials.
If the team moves to Oklahoma, the state will be one of only 22 states and 28 cities with a team, Benge said.
Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, said Oklahoma having a major league team will attract fans from other states and prevent some Oklahomans who now go to other states to watch NBA or other professional sports.
"They're taking our dollars and going somewhere else,” he said.
The state incentives are to help team owners after the team is moved to Oklahoma City, Benge said. Some NBA teams lose money, he said, and with Oklahoma City being a small-market venue, it is going to be very challenging for the SuperSonics to make a profit.
He assured House members that no state funds are going to the team.
"There is no money in the treasury right now going to this basketball team if they come,” Benge said. "Absolutely no money is going to this organization.”
Bringing a major league team to Oklahoma City financially benefits the entire state, he said.
"By having a professional sports team in Oklahoma we will gain exposure to our state nationally and internationally,” Benge said. This will provide an opportunity to compete for additional jobs to come to the state.
"Employers not only look at the business climate of the state when looking to relocate, but they also look at available work force, the state's tax structure, and the quality of life the state would offer its employees,” he said. "There is no doubt having a major league sports team puts us in competition with other states when businesses are looking to move.”
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Your thoughts!
Sonics employ less than 100 people now. $100 million will be closer to the cost - NBA salaries rise. First company that does not have to pay Oklahoma income tax to get the benefit. Since they wanted to come anyway, this just steals from every Oklahoman.
David, Oklahoma City - Apr 21, 2008 at 9:44 am
Did notice in the letter of intent, the Team is only needing UP TO 125 parking spaces, so the claims of 170 jobs that they were telling our Legislature is incorrect?
Larry, Oklahoma City - Apr 21, 2008 at 1:32 am
The "Gateway to Asia" was a Stern quote. Try to keep up Bob.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 20, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Chris, actually, Tinker AFB in OKC probably has as many employees as Boeing. Like Robert in Norman said, you know absolutely nothing about OKC. And "Gateway to Asia", for crying out loud??? What a laugh, that's nothing but sloganeering and wishful thinking.
Bob, Signal Hill - Apr 19, 2008 at 3:33 pm
whatever chris. you don't know a thing about us. so go ahead and drink starbucks coffee. And tell Microsoft to make a better operating system for crying out loud. you guys in seattle and anyone else who don't live here are starting to p+++ me off. GO AWAY.
robert, norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Bob, 70 people left for Chicago when Boeing moved it's headquarters. I would like to compare Boeing employment numbers with Oklahoma...now you're making me laugh. The Port is going nowhere, believe me, the "Gateway to Asia" has alot more cachet than "Gateway to Arkansas". Extraction industries are so 1800-1900's...the future is here and not in some fly-over state. Dallas envy is very unbecoming for you guys.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Chris,
Your posts here are most hysterical. I lived in the Seattle area before coming to Oklahoma in 1993. I hate to tell you this, but you're completely clueless about Oklahoma, oil, etc. Washington is in no way "energy independent". Also, Oklahoma has a plethora of high tech jobs, the largest of which is nanotechnology. If the Port of Seattle ever shut down, your economy would shrivel. Seattle already took a hit when Boeing left, which, by the way, has a LARGE presence here in Oklahoma. Oklahoma learned, from the oil bust in the 1980's, not to put all of its eggs in one basket, and learned that lesson well. So, while the housing sector in your area is slumping, Oklahoma is weathering the national slowdown rather well, and the economy is still growing. Please cease with your baseless posts. You are starting to make all of the Gomers from here look halfway intelligent.
Bob, Wellston - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:33 pm
We ARE a resource state, and we are going to keep getting rich off of all of you left coast liberals. LOL
Brer Rabbit, Briar Patch - Apr 18, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hey R in Seattle, thanks for helping make the point that Oklahoma City is a VERY small market that is spread out over a HUGE geographical area. And when gas reaches $4.00 a gallon, we'll need bicycle racks at the new and improved Ford Center.
Brer Rabbit, Briar Patch - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:56 pm
R...I think you mean we don't have an income tax rather than sales tax. We most certainly do have a sales tax...a hefty one. To compare OKC and Seattle is apples and oranges...we might as well be different countries. Different culture, demographics, politics, language for the most part. We are trade driven with a huge port...OKC has energy and other extratction businesses. That is old/low tech with a definite deadend as the oil eventually gets sucked up. We are energy independent with our hydro and wind power. Green is the new economy and OKC is still Black gold...
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Oh, almost forgot, how did Seatle "earn" a team that they refuse to pay for???
Jeff, Del City - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:47 pm
That's it, I'm convinced. Seatle sounds like a magical land from where the world is run. Apparently these people are unfamiliar with what OKC/Oklahoma has to offer team, the NBA, the world. Apparenly they are unfamiliar with things like oil, patroleum engineering, meteorology or the role that Oklahoma plays in making the world a better place through the advances in such fields that are made here. Their ignorance, their loss...
Jeff, Del City - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Also, Oklahoma City (city) had 537,750 people in 2006 and the metro had 1,264,000. Add in Shawnee for the CSA and it bumped up to 1,327,000. I'd say Central Oklahoma (which is really Oklahoma City's market) should be at least 1.5M people. It's more than JUST the metro, it's the broadcast market. This is why Seattle's is so big 1.7M households, because it is more than JUST the Seattle-Tacoma CSA, it's basically all of Puget Sound and W. Washington.
As for the Quality Jobs, I think it should be for more than JUST mfg jobs; it should be for high paying as well. Maybe the rate could be lower and the terms not as long, but this needs to be extended to top income jobs. The ONLY way Oklahoma is going to get corporations jumping to move to OKC is to revise the payroll taxes for the top jobs. Yeah, I know some may say we're giving rebates to the rich - but wouldn't you rather have rich people in your state spending money and stimulating your economy?
In Washington, we dont have a sales tax and we have some of the single richest people in the nation. We also have a significant corporate presense due to this fact; as does your neighbour Texas.
Oklahoma needs to cator to businesses better to stimulate its HIGH PAYING JOB economy, and reverse the stigma much of the nation ignorantly still has of the state.
Think of it this way, money not wasted on payroll taxes eventually show up as marginal Oklahoma City sales tax. ...
something else to think about when you consider "Quality Jobs".
R, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I wish that these Seattle and other outsiders who know nothing about this place would go away.
robert, norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Our legislatures and this governor should be voted out of office. They are giving these millionaires a 15 year tax break at the expense of us who will still be paying income taxes. They think that having a NBA team is going to solve all the problems facing this state. PLEASE. They said the same thing about the lottery. Well guess what, it failed to meet their expectations and schools accross the state are still wanting more money. I will bet that this sonics deal will be a failure as well in a couple of years when the team starts to suck. And for Brad Henry to say that " This legislation brings us one step closer to landing an NBA franchise and further confirms that Oklahoma is truly a big league state,”. WHAT, a big league state. How about a big laugh state. Lets face it, having the worst roads and bridges in the nation, leads the nation in incarcerating females, and other dead last or near dead last of everything bad doesn't make it a big league state. It's more of a third world state to me. Rep Tad Jones said that having a team in the state will attract fans from other states. What a joke. Why would some Texan would want to come here to watch a crapy team like the sonics when they allready have a NBA team in HOU, SA, and DAL. Besides they don't want to deal at our pathetic roads and our turnpikes. He also said that having a team here will "prevent some Oklahomans who now go to other states to watch NBA or other professional sports. He's joking, right. First of all, many okies travel out of state for pleasure or business. Of course they will take their dollars to these states STUPID. How about gas, food, attractions, and yes, major league sports. This whole crap is a joke. it's time to throw these commies out of office and replace those who care about the issues facing this state.
robert, norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
An earlier poster on this site pointed out that Seattle and Oklahoma shouldn’t get into a fight. Seems his words fell on deaf ears.
It’s been an interesting week. I have no doubt that the NBA will vote for relocation of the Seattle Supersonics. At the same time, the issue is far from settled.
Clay’s stab at a lawsuit this week displayed a desperate man and a pouting, childlike one as well. Clay’s a funny guy. He’s angry, and he should be.
The lease lawsuit is being run by former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton. Gorton sued MLB when the Seattle Pilots moved to, of all places, Milwaukee. He won that case, the only time such a case has been won. He also brokered the sale of the Mariners to local ownership in the early 90s and the sale of the Seahawks to local ownership in the late 90s when Ken Behring tried to move the hawks to Los Angeles.
Attorney Yarmouth, who represents Mr. Schultz on the breach of contract suit, also has expertise in sports relocations and anti-trust, so much and so good is his experience that ESPN has noted it on their site.
It’s going to be a long fight. But, it might end up with the Seattle Sonics moving. In a way, I feel sorry for you all in Oklahoma City. It’s clear you need the Sonics to give you some kind of identity, one you clearly don’t have now. The problem is that a real identity must be built, it must be nurtured, it must be earned.
It seems Oklahoma City never learned how to create anything; they’ve only learned how to take or steal. In Seattle, we have created businesses, scientific discoveries and cultural entertainments that have changed the world, made it a better place to live. Seattle is a world leader.
Just look at the players in this game. Mr. Ballmer helped create Microsoft, Mr. Sinegal created Costco, Mr. Stanton created some of the first wireless networks. Even Mr. Schultz took a minor business, with a good idea, and made it a global player. These are world changers.
Clay made his money by taking from others. He manages funds for rich people, and earns his money by taking, some would say stealing, little bits of it in the form of fees at each step along the way. Crafty? Yes. Smart? Certainly. But is the world a better place for having Clay in it?
Clay is a liar. No one can deny that. And the thing about liars is they go on lying. You may get the Sonics, but can you keep them/ Franchise moves seldom work out. Witness Memphis, New Orleans (twice) and Charlotte (twice). Sacramento did work, only now the owners, after sellout after sellout, want a new arena and the people said no. The team wants to leave.
Clay has already gone on record as saying that Oklahoma City will need a ‘new’ arena in 7 to 10 years. And by that time, when your attendance lags, and the economy worsens making money tight, Clay will no doubt lie to you, too. And even if you have the team, you will always know, in your heart of hearts, that it is not really your team. You didn’t earn it, you didn’t build it. And people who don’t create, who don’t evolve are doomed to simply exist and then fade away.
In time, the world will move on, and you in Oklahoma City will just stand open-jawed and wistfully watch it go.
It’s Ok. It’s alright. You are what you are. You have the illusions you have. I’m glad you are NBA fans. I hope, if you get it, it brightens your life a little. It would’ve been better if you did it the right way. But why quibble? When you have little, you take what you can get. You take what you can steal.
Good luck Oklahoma City. We’re watching.
Seattle, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Chris - thanks for the correction. Helps make my point, actually. The Oklahoma City 'market' is a huge, eight-county area, and it also represents approximately one-third of Oklahoma's total population of 3.5 million people. More people live in Tarrant County (Ft. Worth), 1.67 million, than live in the eight-county Oklahoma City CSA. And more people live in Dallas County and Tarrant Count (Dallas and Ft. Worth), 4 million people, than live in the entire state of Oklahoma. We have a long row to hoe.
Brer Rabbit, Briar Patch - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Including Tulsa and "all of Oklahoma" in the teams market is bogus. We're talking about a winter sport that gets out at 9:30 at night, mostly weekdays. Nothing like that 3 hour trip with wind driven snow on the road. Have you guys ever actually been to a game? It make me wonder. The draw will be "greater" OKC for 95% of attendance...count on it. Two years of baby sitting another franchise and the advantage of curiosity doesn't count. Year in and year out through good and bad, trading away favorite players, new coaches, more taxes, and still coming out, that is what it is all about.
Chris, Seattle - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:45 pm
George from Tulsa, are you really that stupid? The Sonic Corporation has nothing to do with the Seattle Supersonics. I have to suspect you are just doing that to be "funny".
JJ, Okc - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I concur, Jimmy. But, quick correction, Oklahoma City is a seven-county metro with a population of 1.2 million, the Consolidated Metro Area, which includes Pottawatomie County, is an eight county CMSA, with a population of 1.26 million. Not accusing you of being wrong, just helping you out.
Chris, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Another daily therapy session for the residents of Seattle. Let it out. We are listening.
John, Edmond - Apr 18, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Hey Denver - It is a tax break if they show up.
Brer Rabbit, Briar Patch - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:33 am
I don't think I saw anything on this thread that makes mention that NONE of you are out any money. This is simply a break for a potential business that (hopefully) will come to the state. The tax break isn't costing anyone a dime of money that would have other wise been spent or paid. All of you need to just settle down. Sheesh!
Denver, Centennial - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:23 am
Hey boys and girls, let's have a lesson in geography and taxes so we can all get on the same page here. 'Cities' are different from 'metropolitan areas'. They are both defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area is the five-county area in central Oklahoma, and the 'metropolitan' population is about 1.1 million. So, our 'market' is all the folks who live in that five-county area. The City of OKC is the central city in the middle of the 'metropolitan area', and has about 500,000 population. The residents of the City of OKC are the ones who voted for the extension of the sales tax, and it is only within the city limits of OKC, not the 'metropolitan area'. The $835 million road bond package is also for the City of OKC, approved by the residents of OKC, and is not for the 'metropolitan area'.
Brer Rabbit, Briar Patch - Apr 18, 2008 at 11:17 am
No offense taken Larry...I just like to use names when I address somebody, but I didn't think you were singling me out.....thanks for your response...
paul, yukon - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:52 am
Don't worry. The ownership group said they'll be happy to "just break even" here in OKC. And we know we can trust them to tell the truth. So I'm sure they'll just give us back any tax rebates they get after they break even!
Bill, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:47 am
Paul, if you want to know where their money goes, they published an 8 year Construction Work Plan in 2007 that is available through them. ODOT consistently presents <b>only<b> information that creates a dilemna.
The omission, on this board, points to the "giving" of state money. People erroneously confuse opportunity costs (money we could've had) to money we don't have (currently). Oklahoma cannot miss money it never had. The fiscal impact of SB 1819 ($60 million) is what the state expects to forgo (abstain from)collecting in income tax. We never had it so how can we lose it? It's not in the state's 2009 budget so how can we miss it? That's the omission I'm referring to Paul. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was referring to you individually.
Larry, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:47 am
Well then Larry...if indeed Okie receives some 455 million per year for highways, then where is the money going? Care to bet that there's no accountability for the money thats been handed over during the past few years? I'm fully aware of how the tax rebates to the team work, not quite sure where you concluded I was unsure....besides, I was talking about the bond issue that a select few were spouting on here about when the question was raised about this penny tax fiasco when roads were in need of repair, they've stated repeatedly that Okie passed an 835.5 million dollar bond issue, when in fact, only half that is for roads /bridges...so who is omitting what in the statements???
paul, yukon - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:26 am
@Paul, Yukon;
You're wrong. The tax rebates are returned to the team after they've already paid income tax. If they don't come, no rebates are given.....in hoop terms, no harm no foul. Furthermore, your statistics for ODOT exclude the fact that, each year, ODOT recieves approx $455 million from the Federal Gov't for Roads. Furthermore, ODOT, per current statutory language, already recieves $70m more each year for ROADS funding that it did the prior year. This money goes directly to ODOT, bypassing Education, Veterans, Childrens, and Disabled needs. So get your facts straight before you arrive on here spouting half the story. Omission is considered lying.
Larry, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:22 am
I was happy with the team coming until this huge pork-filled package was voted in. The team was coming regardless; this was just a quick way to give away even more incentives and money. What a joke!
This wasn't necessary. This wasn't going to make or break the deal. We give out huge incentives because of what MIGHT happen. Remember the big economic boost the schools were going to get with the lottery in place? Well, that's fallen way short. Now most schools are struggling more because budgets were set based on the money that was promised. I'm disgusted at this waste of money.
"will attract fans from other states"; that's crap! Which state are they coming from? Texans are going to watch the Spurs or the Mavericks before traveling all the way up here. Are you telling me there is a mass exodus of Okies going to Texas to watch the mavericks when they play? That's a load of crap!
What the biggest joke has to be is our house and senate can finally place nice together and pass something as ludicrous as this. Schools are suffering financially, as well as many other underfunded area that we read about each day. What a joke!
Scott, El Reno - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:21 am
So..out of the 835 million, only about half is going to be used for roads, and then some money is allocated for 17 out of Okies 635 bridges....that still leaves a LOT of streets and especially bridges in need of serious attention...89 millon to parks and recreation,41 million to police agencies,and a whopping 75 million to economic development...seems like the "roads" bond issue is just more fluff and not a lot of substance...or should I say only half substance and half fluff...but you'll never hear the ones touting the "835.5 million bond issue for roads" actually mentioned as the "half that for roads and bridges, the rest for fluff" bond by those that would like us to remain uninformed, huh??
paul, yukon - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:15 am
The Governor and Legislature should be ashamed of their harmful actions to line the pockets of Millionaires while Oklahomans tight budgets face ruinous energy and food inflation.
Driven on our roads lately, too?
If our impotent Governor and cowardly Legislature will not stand up to Millionaire Swells like Mr. Sonic, then the people must.
The way to really hurt a greedy, grasping plutocrat like Mr. Sonic Burger Breath is to find somewhere besides Sonic to eat.
I plan to.
George, Tulsa - Apr 18, 2008 at 10:15 am
FYI to Oklahoman's...Bridgeport, WA, when the gold rush went bust turned to agriculture to support the town (currently 49% of males work in the ag business) and is currently, according to 2000 figures, sporting a population of just over 2000 folks and a median household income of $25K (OKC = $34K). So, let's give poor Carl a break. He's just trying to make himself feel better by hurling insults about a state and city that he's only read about in the Grapes of Wrath (if he even read that because it doesn't appear that education is really a strong point there either).
S, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 9:59 am
When is this bigoted, backward, brainless moron known as Randy Terrill up for de-election? Or, how does one go about requesting that an elected official be un-elected? Terrill is the biggest black eye that this state has inflicted on itself, and we've inflicted LOTS! How/when can we get rid of this moron?
Kelly, norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 9:54 am
Paul in Yukon said "Hey Joe in Clinton...pretty soon one of the empty mouths on here will be telling you about the 835 million bond package approved for the roads in Okie." You all are making fun of bond issue and if you want to know what exactly they are fixing, I am providing a link: http://www.okc.gov/bonds2007/
It breaks it down by street with limits, going into detail what they are doing to the streets (i.e. resurfacing, widening, rebuilding, etc.) Then it breaks down the bridges and what they are doing to those and what the rest of the money is for. Enjoy!!
Gary, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 9:48 am
Hey Carl in Bridgeport, let's compare what league we're in. You go get a gallon of coffee and I'll go get a gallon of oil. Which league is worth more?
kma, gotebo - Apr 18, 2008 at 9:20 am
You can spin this anyway you want, but it's still socialism. The Sonics owners say their payroll is 74 million, 52 million of that is to a few players. Now that's what I call job creation.
Rob, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:55 am
Guys in OKC. Please don't say for sure we are getting a team. This is all like saying when you buy your next lotto ticket, it is going to be a winner because you speculated as such. Let's just see how the vote goes, so we don't look stupid if it goes sour.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:36 am
You know, as an Oklahoman who is not being very optimistic toward the move, despite supporting the NBA through this, I can say one thing. I didn't make a big deal over a penny extension for 15 months, beginning when the first expires. I can wake up knowing I thought of the kids future, at the expense of my own blood, rather then the millionaires who should be footing the bill (as others say.) I can wake up knowing I am a citizen true to form, because I don't have to throw everything onto the backs of those who have it better then me (for the time being.) So I guess capitalist Oklahomans believe that once I strike it big in Hollywood, everything in this city I will die in, is my duty? BZZZZT! WRONG! My millions will go to NOT ONLY HELPING THIS CITY, but to helping the world, and those in it, in many forms. However, let's say I wasn't that type of person. Oklahomans would feel that since I am a millionaire, that if I want something done here, I should foot it because I have it better then most here? This is one thing that P's me off about Oklahoma. They want everything done for them, without standing up themselves unless it is most convienant for them. NOW THAT, is pathetic.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:33 am
You're right Lynn. We need to show folks like Carl we are not insensitive to their pain. Please forgive us Carl for pointing out how provincial and sophmoric your comments were. Anytime you wish to escape the constant drizzly environment of Seattle you are welcome to come to the dust bowl we affectionately call home here in Oklahoma. We'll even get you tickets to your soon to be departed hometown heroes.
David, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:30 am
Oh hey speak of the devil.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:26 am
Enough Corporate welfare for me. I will never spend one dollar on this team. Socialism at its best, not maps for millionaires, but maps for billionaires. Pathetic.
Rob, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:26 am
Oh and are there any Oklahoma capitalists in the house with us today? You know the ones who say, "our pennies are there dollars?" Let me get a hell yea if you're a penny pincher. Woot - woot. Let me get a hell yea if you don't feel like supporting your city unless it makes sense to you. Woot - woot. Hey doesn't our lottery help our schools? I forgot.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:26 am
Seattle should quit mourning the loss of the Sonics, and learn how to make a better cup of coffee.
Jeff, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:25 am
Well today is the day... The day Seattle people find out there was nothing to fear, and when the Oklahomans who were sure we were getting them despite proof, which now includes Wesselhoft, who seems to be just as sure despite not knowing for sure. The vote will go bad... Why? Because of all the ruckus in Seattle. Also because anytime people seem sure of something, most of the time they are let down. Plus there is just not enough proof to show we are getting a team. I was all for the NBA but it ends today. You will see peeps.
david, oklahoma city - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:20 am
Let us be charitable to Carl. He is going through the grieving process. His community has been hurt, and he wants to hurt back. We can show how big we are by being big to others.
Lynn, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 8:01 am
Again, nice spin, Jill. Sorry to say, though, I think the Sonics already have a PR person. Hey, $835 million will hardly cover two major intersection, much less road repair across three counties!
Kevin, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:58 am
Carl, Carl,wake up and smell the Starbucks. Seattle is not the center of the universe any more than Oklahoma is. If we're so out of our league than how come the Hornets outdrew the Sonics when they were in OKC. Clearly it's Seattle that can't support a major league team. As for Randy Terrill he was probably against this bill because he feared illegal immigrants might be on the team. He will most likely introduce a bill soon to deny any member of the Sonics team state supported services.
David, Norman - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:51 am
Agreed Paul, I guess its all about priorities....
joe, clinton - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:51 am
Hey Joe in Clinton...pretty soon one of the empty mouths on here will be telling you about the 835 million bond package approved for the roads in Okie. Now, ask yourself this...they're spending 110 million on the little tiny Ford center alone. I've heard countless people talking about the "OKC metro area" and how it stretches from Yukon to Shawnee, which is a pretty good sized area. My guess is that there are far more roads to be fixed than that 835 million will address, and after the bond money is all gone..potholes will still reign supreme, and the crosstown will still have entire chunks falling through to the ground below...and the total dollars spent on improving the Ford will soon be forgotten cause a new arena will be hinted at....
paul, yukon - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:44 am
I finally have something to agree with Randy Terrill on. Given all of the needs our great state has, the top for me being our pothole, cracked, patched up roads yet somehow we find a way to help 3 multimillionares get something they want...not need, want. Boy, this stinks, really stinks.
joe, clinton - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:37 am
It has been a long time since anyone from Seattle made a such a stupid and mean spirited post such as Carl's. I must say sir, you do yourself no credit.
Raymond, Chesterfield - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:35 am
Carl, nice talk sugar mouth. I laugh at the fact you think the dust bowl is still hanging around Oklahoma. Thanks for the comedy. By the way, 1936 called, they want their geography book back.
Chris, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 7:33 am
thanks John Carey and Jay Paul Gumm...odds that we stop getting Mavericks games on local cable and have to watch the worst team in the NBA get blown out nightly. On our dime, now, to boot.
Floyd R, Purtle - Apr 18, 2008 at 6:31 am
So then, using that logic...it's better for Oklahoma to pay money yearly into an enterprise thats losing money and operates in the red yearly? For some reason I can't fathom why it's a good thing to pump hard earned taxpayer dollars into this when there are other far more important issues to be addressed in this state..I seem to recall the lottery shortfall, the fear of Arkansas getting a lottery and hurting the Okie lottery, and some emergency funds allocated to both the education system and corrections, not to mention the decline of revenue in the state overall, and here the legislature is going to put money into a sinking ship? I just don't understand how any of this is going to benefit the average Okie in any way, shape or form, and no amount of spin is going to convince me otherwise. Show me some hard factual numbers and I might change my position, but since the numbers aren't there, then it's just another government boondoggle, and the average Okie is being asked to spend money he/she doesn't have.....
paul, yukon - Apr 18, 2008 at 6:26 am
This may well be an attempt on the part of legislators to make up for the fact that, as the 45th largest television market, the Sonics owners may have difficulty getting a television deal like Seattle's. On the other hand, seeing as Oklahoma City has agreed to fix up the Ford and give the team tax breaks, they may be genius negotiators with Cox as well. Salt Lake City has a more lucrative television contract than Seattle. If the team moves here, market it to Tulsa, the entire state and other regional cities with Cox such as Wichita, which actually had Hornets season ticket holders, Joplin and Springfield, and they may be able to craft a deal that keeps their head above water financially. When 30% of the teams in the NBA don't break even (including Seattle), it may be that passing a bill like this will help keep the team afloat financially, and thus in Oklahoma City.
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Apr 18, 2008 at 5:59 am
so let me get this straight Clay and his buddies not only gets the benifit form us extending maps project, but now he is to good to pay anything over 5.5 for not 10 .....but fifteen years.Do we really think so lowly of Oklahoma that we would prostitute ourselves just to court the N.B.A.
cl, edmond - Apr 18, 2008 at 5:02 am
No way a bunch of inbreds in Dustbowl USA can support a team...You guys need to stick with raising cows and, having relations with your sisters.Stay out of the NBA.You do not have mental capacity to be an NBA city....It takes more than a barn raising or,a best hog winning contest for you to be able to support an NBA franchise.
Im sure you people in Oklahoma are nice but,you are waaaaayyyyy out of your league on this one.
Go hump your cows or, your sisters,and leave our great state alone.
Tommy, Orlando - Apr 18, 2008 at 3:34 am
..scenility must have set in by now.
Joseph, Oklahoma City - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:58 am
I finally see Stern's "evil genius" plan. He's going to milk two cities at once. If OKC views its opportunity to get an NBA team as a battle between itself and Seattle to lure the Sonics, they will bend over backwards drumming up as much of a sweetheart deal as is possible (maybe not economically sensible). How could the NBA ask Oklahoma for such handouts if expansion was being considered? Would the political will be there in that event as it is when its OKC vs. Seattle? It's hard to compell taxpayers to give up their hard-earned money to billionaires for a sports team. Not everyone is a sports fan and there are always that segment who says there are more important things to spend money on. Of course if the Sonics end up in OKC afterall, obviously it was just a backroom-deal between two members of the old-boys network. In that case, Stern loses his "evil genius" reputation and eventually ends his tenure as a failure of a commish.
Chris, Portland - Apr 18, 2008 at 1:38 am
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