"The (existing) Ford Center was a great temporary facility. It is not the facility of tomorrow. And the 100-plus million dollars that were allocated and approved overwhelmingly by the taxpayers was a huge statement. And how that is going to be spent in the ways for locker rooms and every possibly amenity is really what makes this into an NBA arena. ” — NBA Commissioner David Stern.
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"We had a great story to tell and we told it.” — Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.
"This is a very proud day for me.” — Sonics Chairman Clay Bennett.
"I don't know what their perception was before they got here, but I thought our presentation went very well. I was very proud of our city.” — Ford Center General Manager Gary Desjardins.
"Clay Bennett and all the ownership and Mayor Cornett just did a great job. It was an amazing presentation. They just really did a great job of expressing all the positives of Oklahoma City and of the state of Oklahoma, why it'd be a great place for an NBA team.” — OU football coach Bob Stoops.
"I think it can't help but to improve (Oklahoma City's) chances. It was very, very well done.” Sonics part-owner Tom Ward.
"You had all the movers and shakers in this part of the world show up. That's a statement.” — OSU Athletic Director Mike Holder.
"Everybody really advanced the agenda for the NBA franchise coming here.” — Former Gov. Frank Keating.
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Arena of the near future Plans to upgrade Ford... 03/26/2008 Evidently, Mayor Mick Cornett was right. If you upgrade it, they will come. As much as I appreciate Mayor Mick, he came across as heavy-handed before the...
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. 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.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.