Little did we know, the nickname for the NBA team in our fair city was decided May 18.
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That’s the day that fans chose the Thunder as the franchise’s new name. You pondered 64 possibilities. You whittled them down. You picked the Thunder over the Outlaws and Barons, Twisters and Renegades.
You wanted the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Turns out, Clay Bennett and Co. were paying attention.
“Everything that we received, we weighed and we considered and was part of the vetting and the development of the name,” the Thunder front man said after Wednesday’s official announcement of the team name, logo and colors. “It was all very important.”
From handwritten notes to professional renderings to newspaper polls, Bennett looked at all of it.
“It was all very valuable.”
That, my friends, included your votes in our Name Game bracket.
And here we thought it was only for fun.
Back in the spring after the Sonics announced they were leaving Seattle for Oklahoma City, a name-the-team contest was suggested. Nothing official. Nothing sanctioned. Just a bunch of nicknames with readers voting on their favorites.
The contest was just for kicks, but many of you acted like this was the real deal, like the team might actually end up using the name that was picked.
Like that would ever happen.
We learned Wednesday, though, that Bennett was mindful of everything nickname-related, no matter how big or small. Every suggestion was funneled to him. Any feedback was given to him.
“He really took ownership of collecting all the input and directing all the research and vetting all the various examples of the names,” Thunder ticket sales chief Brian Byrnes said.
How to get feedback, though, when you’re conducting a secret selection?
“You’re just grasping for feedback,” Byrnes said, “so when you get feedback unsolicited and it validates the direction you want to go, that gives everyone confidence.”
Unsolicited feedback?
Like the fans choosing Thunder?
“You go down a path, and you see that there are polls going in a certain direction, that starts to validate some of your own instincts and some of your own intuitions about what you think might work.”
Bennett doesn’t remember exactly when he started to settle on the Thunder, but no doubt there was a strong nudge from you, my friends. You liked the Thunder, so he liked it even more.
That it won the bracket, despite being an underdog, was a strong statement, too.
Twisters, you’ll remember, was the odds-on favorite. More of you suggested that nickname than any other in the early going, but then, you had to choose between Twisters and Thunder.
The rest, we now know, is history.
Thunder was the pick then, and it is the pick now. Turns out, no other name was even in the mix at the end.
“There really wasn’t much of a finalist situation,” Bennett said. “It was more that Thunder emerged, and we began to think it was something we could really build on.
“We’ve been working on Thunder for quite some time.”
Maybe even since May 18.
Jenni Carlson: 475-3314, jcarlson@oklahoman.com; Jenni Carlson can be heard Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. on KEBC-AM 1340.
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Jack, jack, jack (and other Seattle posters) .. it's very telling that you are here browsing and posting repeatedly on our OKC news message boards... I'm sorry you lost your team, really, but please, it's time to move on. Some might not be thrilled with the logo, but in reality, when push comes to shove, OK will do what we do best, we will support this team through thick and thin ..we are the 'best fans in the NBA' just watch.
Go Oklahoma City Thunder!
Well, where do I start. I am happy that Oklahoma received a basketball franchise. I am not happy that Seattle had to lose it, but it has been proven that basketball franchises tend to flourish in cities and states that have no other professional franchises such as San Antonio, Orlando and Utah. I am a long time fan of the NBA so this, to me, was a huge event. When I first heard rumors of the name "Thunder" being tossed about I simply dismissed them for the fact that other possible names like Barons and Outlaws seemed much better. Yet, as it became more hard to avoid these rumors I accepted the fact that it has become common among newly established sports franchises this decade to adopt non-plural, and quite unoriginal names. Next, I waited. September 3rd was the day it would be revealed if “Thunder” was indeed just a bad joke or in fact an honest attempt at a franchise name. It turned out it was no joke, and to add to the pain the logo and colors were revealed as well. Ouch. Talk about a stab in the heart for a lifelong NBA fan, not to mention the Northwest division is my favorite so I would be seeing this team a lot. All I really have to say to the fans is; I am sorry. I felt this was a great chance for an NBA franchise to grow, yet there is no doubt it is already a failure. The logo makes me sick. In no way does it represent thunder at all. This goes for the colors too, which by the way are already taken by many other NBA teams including the Knicks, Bobcats and Warriors, of whom you stole their mascot name, “Thunder” from (have fun with those law suites). The logo and colors are about as far away from thunder as the L.A. Lakers are from the Boston Garden. This team had a chance, with young bright stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, to expand it’s market by simply taking the time to create a marketable logo and original name. Nobody over the age of 9 is going to want to wear these colors. But really, how do you justify the naming of your franchise the “Thunder”? Is there thunder in Oklahoma? Well, guess what, there’s thunder everywhere! But seriously I think I figured it out. You guys stole the graphic designer for Doritos and the people responsible for naming the teams of the WNBA and Arena Football League and paired them up to create your groundbreaking appeal? Am I right? Sure looks like it. Well, good luck, you’re defiantly going to need it.
The complainers should have voted in the name tournament. I voted Thunderbirds as far as they went, and am OK with Thunder. But, let's add an animate object to our logo....how about a Bison or a Thunderbird. They'd be good mascot choices too.
Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com - Sep 4, 2008 at 4:33 pm
i for one am excited about a team in OKC! it gives me the chance to cheer the good teams when they come... like the Celtics or Spurs. on the other hand, the NBA will bring the "ghetto" with it. i quit watching the NBA a long time ago because of the "me first" attitude and the horrific tattoos and role models. parents keep your daughters locked up and husbands keep an eye on your wives. we get the franchise that shawn kemp came from. how many kids did he have with how many different women?
Although similiar, I think you will find my logo decidedly superior on many levels. Please visit the link below to be wowed like never before:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/jackandnacho/SMAl78mVjhI/AAAAAAAAA10/OqyNqGGo0-8/thunder.gif
Which amazing design firm was hired to create that logo? Was it the same one that sculpted this masterpiece? http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/images/crapart2_1.jpg
Its funny how everyone has an opionion,,,,usually negative on here. I say big deal! The name is great, the logo looks great and I'm ready for some Bball! So all you cry babies and no-it-all's ...shut up, if you don't like it, cheer for someone else!
i have no problem whatsoever with the name thunder. i do however find the logo quite childish and quickly put together. i really liked the idea thrown out about a bison mascot and "thundering" herd. i'm glad we got the team w/desmond mason, but i wish the big guys throwing their money around would've used their brains a little more.
Jim, this "small town" metro area is ranked #30 in the nation with regards to population. There are 30 NBA teams. Now, Im no mathematician, but I would say that we are right about where we need to be to have a team.
Jim, that was the most pathetic post I've read in a while. Grow up, educate yourself, and maybe even make a visit to this great state. The quality of life and quality of people here would really open your eyes.
D, There are no Seattle Sonics only OKC Thunder. Looks pretty good to me. I will love taking my grandson to the games. Hope however you are not in attendance.
if Jim from Issaquah's comments are a testament to the rest of our country's intelligence/maturity level; I think I'll take my chances in Oklahoma City...seriously Jim, reread your comments. You're terribly misinformed, rude and out of touch. Comment's like yours is what makes me want to vomit.
Jim you are such a douche baggie bag! Maybe Spokane should uproot and move here to Oklahoma they are more than welcome, or better yet why dont we just come up there and take Spokane? I mean we just came up there and took your basketball team, just like we said we were going to do. Like I said Jim, the only way Supersonic is going to be said around here is when we order a juicy delicious "Supersonic Cheese burger to eat!
Jacob in kansas, mynewbff - Sep 4, 2008 at 3:58 am
d of okc and jim of whatever, you did provide a point but dont over do it. some of is true and some probably over exaggerated. thunder is ok but i had prefered thunderbirds. i know our team will do great and the people of oklahoma will support them. i think we will be the elite of the nba and hopefully i will be able to see some games with my son, but until i can get extra money i will have to listen on the radio and watch on tv. jenni you beautiful lady, good article and keep that smile up.
d, it's so obvious you're a disgruntled Sonics fan.. You're posting the same drivel everywhere on numerous boards - it's pretty apparent..but we understand, you're grieving and in denial, don't worry, soon you'll find acceptance and move on. In the meantime, Go Thunder! I like the name.. the logo will be improved upon and I won't care at all when I'm watching the games.. whooooo! Btw, we do have some of the most amazingly beautiful lightning and thunder storms here in OKC.
Team chairman Clay Bennett speaks during the unveiling at Leadership Square. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
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Go Oklahoma City Thunder!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/jackandnacho/SMAl78mVjhI/AAAAAAAAA10/OqyNqGGo0-8/thunder.gif