The NBA officially arrived in Oklahoma City about two months ago, and now some of the team's stuff has made it too.
Featured Video
Advertisement
Three moving trucks arrived in downtown Oklahoma City on Friday morning to unload at the NBA franchise's office headquarters. Two box trucks and a tractor-trailer arrived at 10:21 a.m., and the first thing to roll off the truck was a basketball.
As soon as the back door to the first box truck was lifted, the ball — stamped with an NBA logo — came rolling out.
"It was a nice touch, wasn't it?" said Pete Winemiller, a team vice president for guest relations who's helped oversee the move.
Winemiller said the move from Seattle to Oklahoma City will involve about 60 truckloads and should be substantially done by the end of September. The first items offloaded were five office chairs and a 50-inch flat-screen television.
Winemiller said there were 10,000 pounds of equipment and furniture in the load that arrived Friday.
"We ramped up early and got some things in here but this is obviously one of our bigger loads, and so we're happy to have all of this equipment here so we can really get rolling," Winemiller said.
The team has set up its offices at the Leadership Square office building downtown, and Winemiller said they're working on how to fill the 25,000 square feet of space with the items that were in a similar sized office in Seattle.
"It really is taking that area that we had in the northwest and trying to make sure it fits here in this space, and so far it's been a pretty good fit," Winemiller said. "It's been a little bit of a puzzle but it's all worked out very nicely."
Clay Bennett's ownership group finalized a settlement last week that set out what items will stay in Seattle and what will come to Oklahoma City. Many items won't be shipped until after the WNBA's Seattle Storm finish their season.
Winemiller said an inventory of the former SuperSonics' belongings, "everything down to that last stapler to that office set." He wouldn't say how much the move will cost.
"You'll see some more trucks like this coming through, and we'll have more equipment. It'll be everything from office furniture to computers to a lot of the equipment for basketball operations," Winemiller said.
Ken Hughen, a project manager with A-1 Freeman Moving Group, said the moving trucks left Seattle on Tuesday and took shifts driving 10 hours and sleeping eight hours to complete the approximately 2,000-mile trip.
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
m and m sure sounds mad. You guys watch the OSU vs OSU game. I am not an OSU fan,but there was a sign at the game that said Oklahoma you can take our Sonics but not our cougars. Seattle is really going to hate us after the Sooners go up there and plant a boot in the Huskies a$$. Anyway I will be at Leadership square Wednesday at 5PM for the name unveiling. I hope to see you guys there for beers at the Bricktown Brewery.
the FACTS were that Clay wasn't the first owner that asked for a NEW arena, even MR. Starbucks whom when he sold the team signed a provision NOT to sue the NBA orthe new owners. That case will never make it to a court room...
First of all, David, I haven't belittled ANY OKC person except those of you who post with spit and hate for Seattle for no reason - and there are many of you. The WORST comment I've ever seen on these boards was from someone from Seattle (OKC Bom#$%rs - I can't even type it without feeling sick) - and I reported that a-wipe to offensive language - so lay off. I've never said anything about OKC getting the NBA - I've said MANY MANY MANY MANY times (since you like to use caps) how I think OKC deserves a team after the hospitality and support you gave the Hornets - and I NEVER said you personally were defending a liar - whether you drink with him, party with him or sleep with him I could care less. I was just refuting the fact that because all you guys seem to read is this rag of a paper, you come out and blatantly state how Seattle never supported the Sonics - and I was POSTING FACTS that the Key arena was filled up to 96.5% capacity during 2002-2006 seasons. SO, if arrogance is posting FACTS, then I guess I am. And, I'm glad that you can share the NBA experience with your kids - but speaking of looking at things from both sides of the streets, how about coming up here and explaining to all the kids here about how someone came in and took the team - see, it works both ways.
As for using theories - open your eyes. Clay CLEARLY stated that he is a 'man possessed' to move the team to OKC in his now infamous e-mails BEFORE his 'good faith' period expired, told David Stern TO HIS FACE that neither he nor any of his partners were discussing moving early, and he stated in a court of law that he meant that he was 'possessed' to keep the team in Seattle - if that were true (keeping the team in Seattle), he would be the Schultz of OKC - a very hated man in the city. So, yes, there is SUBSTANTIAL proof that he lied to obtain the team, but as usual our state and local officials f'ed it all up with the city lawsuit, and Schultz is just a wimp. AND if you think that just because you have an NBA team it makes you an 'elitist' city, then I feel sorry for you - you may be elitist within the NBA circles, but how some of you have responded and acted about this whole thing makes you look second class - not world class. So, go take your kids, family and friends to an NBA game and enjoy. BTW - you are being the arrogant immature little one - you might try growing up and becoming an adult sometime.
I'M JUST SO TIRED OF HEARING HOW SEATTLE DIDN'T SUPPORT OUR SONICS <---------- Do you ever stop to think us Oklahomans are tired of hearing the belittling we get from you Seattlites? If it isn't elitism due to being in a city far bigger then ours with 3 (2 now,) pro teams, being called scum for defending a man who supposedly lied to Schultz (only he would know, only puppets would brush it off as fact despite not knowing both sides,) and various other things? You - M&M - are not looking at both sides of the street. First you state with hypocrasy, then elitism, and now you are tired of being a victim? Give me a break. I guess it's in human nature for one to care about their own feelings, without knowing what they - themselves - or the others in their own hood, are causing.
Ahhh...the 'bottom 3rd' line again...if you go to http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance?sort=home_pct&year=2006&seasonType=2 and sort by 'PCT' (which stands for percentage of capacity seating), you'll see that SEATTLE ranked among the top 3rd in the league (with the exception of the Bennett ownership) in seating FULL CAPACITY. The problem is money-hungry owners and not enough 'luxury' seats that the fat cats can profit from. All of that is irrelevant now that you've got the team...I'M JUST SO TIRED OF HEARING HOW SEATTLE DIDN'T SUPPORT OUR SONICS - get your facts straight. And, I'm sorry to hear about your sales tax increase - sure to be more on the way - welcome to the big leagues.
M&M (in Seattle) If I'm not mistaken, the citizens of OKC have already approved the sales tax increase to provide for Ford Center upgrades, practice facilities, and the such. If I remember the amount approved was more than the Ford Center cost in the first place. Also, the attendance at Key Arena for the Sonics has been in the bottom 3rd of the NBA for this entire decade. How could that not play into Schultz decision to sell?
Another OKC person distorting the facts. <---------- And no one in Seattle distorts facts, while calling Benett a liar just because some millionaire stained teeth dork did? I smell hypocracy and elitism.
Your right, Jesse, the Ford Center wasn't up to NBA standards when Katrina hit. The reason the NBA decided on OKC was because Clay Bennett along with City and civic leaders put together a package that assured the Hornets would be profitable while in OKC or they would make up the difference. Just as you described, the wounds are too fresh and there is still too much bad blood between Seattle and the NBA. KC with a brand new arena would be the logical choice if the Hornets are forced to relocate.
MartzMimic, Oklahoma City: maybe he is talking about the "Thunder from Down Under" a male stripper act that headlines out in Las Vegas (the Australian version of Chippendales)
Well jerome, the ford center wasn't up to NBA standards when the hornets came to play there. I wouldn't bring them to seattle though, unless your going to change the name to the supersonics. I wouldn't go watch them, unless it's when the thunder come to town, and I was a season ticket holder. I'm not a fan of the NBA, just the Supersonics. Call me a hipocrite, but I'm not a fan of our government, but I am a proud American.
And I should add that the Blazers have led attendance in all of minor league hockey for years with over 8,000 average a game. There's no reason to insult the Blazers or their fans because the NBA is here now.
Don't try to make the NBA look better by down grading the hockey team. 8000 is an average attendance it varies from 4-13K. As of yet no one has been to the NBA team that hasn't been named yet! I imagine many people will go to both in the future, and there is plenty of room for both. the Thunder is a bad name because it is the name of male strippers - I would not like to be associated with that, but the other 5 names did not seem that inspiring either. When it comes down to it - who cares as long as they win some games! If you win - its a good name - if you lose well you lose!
Lawerence, Oklahoma City - Aug 29, 2008 at 5:43 pm
In answer to the questions about the Blazer's connection to "Thunder": the CHL's team in Wichita, KS is the same name, but I don't really think that's much of a conflict.
No Kim, Seattle won't be getting any team until they have an arena that's up to NBA standards. If the Hornets are displaced again, I'd look for them to end up in KC. The Sprint Center is brand new and quite impressive.
so, Kim, are you classifying all poster here from Seattle 'trolls'? I've been in support of OKC to get an NBA team because of the support you gave the Hornets when they were displaced, but do not agree with the way the team was acquired - does that still make me a 'troll'?
Sure is nice to see a whole lot less Seattle trolls visiting this site. I new it would take about a month for most of them to leave. Anyway Seattle will get the Hornets after the Hurricane...
I'm still trying to figure out what Thunder has to do with the Blazers. Do you really think Clay and the boys are going to be shaking in their boots over some CFL hockey fans? Not. Likely. There's a real team in town now. And momofone - you're being generous if you think 8,000 show up at a hockey game. Try about 3 or 4 thousand.
Greg - how many butts did you SEE in Key Arena in the past three years from NORMAN????? Another OKC person distorting the facts. Also, ONE offer for the state to pay the majority of Clay's $500 MILLION palace while he sits on his fat butt and contributes essentially nothing - and you worship this guy? I REALLY feel sorry for you. Smooth businessman? How smooth is it to have e-mails that contradict the sales contract you signed and also statements made to the public? Wow, Clay's really pulled the wool over your eyes. I'm not saying OKC won't support the team 'raucously', but putting your support behind a man with Clay's character? Again, I really feel sorry for you. but, good luck - wait till Clay needs some money from your taxes to improve his arena - how are you going to feel then?
55
Featured Video
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
As for using theories - open your eyes. Clay CLEARLY stated that he is a 'man possessed' to move the team to OKC in his now infamous e-mails BEFORE his 'good faith' period expired, told David Stern TO HIS FACE that neither he nor any of his partners were discussing moving early, and he stated in a court of law that he meant that he was 'possessed' to keep the team in Seattle - if that were true (keeping the team in Seattle), he would be the Schultz of OKC - a very hated man in the city. So, yes, there is SUBSTANTIAL proof that he lied to obtain the team, but as usual our state and local officials f'ed it all up with the city lawsuit, and Schultz is just a wimp. AND if you think that just because you have an NBA team it makes you an 'elitist' city, then I feel sorry for you - you may be elitist within the NBA circles, but how some of you have responded and acted about this whole thing makes you look second class - not world class. So, go take your kids, family and friends to an NBA game and enjoy. BTW - you are being the arrogant immature little one - you might try growing up and becoming an adult sometime.