Downtown gets a major new employer today, 41 nights of major league crowds visiting Ford Center, and a potential new market for new expensive condominiums.
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For Brett Hamm, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., it's impossible not to feel giddy over news that the NBA's move to downtown Oklahoma City starts today. And he's sure he's not alone in the euphoria.
"When you've got multi-million-dollar NBA players coming downtown, it sure would be convenient for them to buy into the Brownstones, Block 42 and The Hill (all expensive condominiums being built downtown),” Hamm said. "I think those guys are celebrating tonight.”
As news broke downtown that an 11th-hour settlement had been struck between Seattle and Sonics owner Clay Bennett, aspiring season ticket holders wondered just how soon the team might arrive.
"I'll go out and buy a ticket tomorrow if I can,” said John Chambers, a downtown accountant. "But after all this waiting, it's hard to believe they'll just pack their bags and come on in next week.”
At a press conference Wednesday, Bennett said it may just be that simple. Sort of. Starting today he and the city must find a temporary home for the team's 120 employees. They must find a new practice arena. And they need to start up a marketing campaign.
Jim Cowan, director of the Bricktown Association, predicted the team's arrival will have a profound impact on the entertainment district that neighbors Ford Center.
"This is much bigger than the Hornets (which played at Ford Center for two years while dislocated by Huricane Katrina),” Cowan said. "When they were here, everybody knew it was temporary. But if a team is coming to stay, that says I can open a new business because I can count on 41 home games a year from now on.”
Coupled with construction of a new Devon Energy tower and new hotels, Cowan said the team's arrival will fuel even more growth. But he also cautioned the district will have to meet new expectations as well.
"There will be a change in operating hours, the mix of what's down here,” Cowan said. "It's fair to expect Bricktown be more than it is now, because there is a guaranteed benefit having those games played two to three blocks away from a business.”
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Paul, am sure he does it to rattle my cage (sometimes it does), but I go ahead and dig up the stuff he says anyway so everyone else can easily see him for what he is.
Paul, it won't do you any good to suggest the Roger remember anything that he said, you can copy and paste his entire quote and he will still either 1) deny it, 2)try to spin it to say something it doesn't or sometimes 3) ignore answering the question you asked and answer one that you didn't.
"You admitted they are liars (oh sorry they only "Exaggerate/overstate/inflate"), so where are you getting the 80 from??"...Came up with that number as it was somewhere between the 120 reported on here and your much lower conspiracy figure
"So are you admitting it was a stretch that the Hornets sold out games while here? Are you saying the averages published by the liars and the sheeple on here are 2000 high?"...Have no doubt they actually sold out numerous games but I also have no doubt that over the 2 year period they overstated attendance...Like I have said over and over it's just common practice...Non issue
"Roger, thought you said you excelled at math? Doesn't 7,000 (their "crap" number) - 700 (your number) = 6,300??"...Said 700 on weekday games didn't mention anything about weekend games or overall average attendance...Haven't been to very many weekend games over the years so I can't really vouch for the actual attendance for those games...Another nice try though
"Probably closer to 80 but they will definitely be paid much less than the coaches and players since they make in the hundreds of thousands or millions." I wonder why it is that nobody from the DOK, or the city has come right out and asked Clay Boy just how many people they employ in Seattle right now? Perhaps to not be able to brand him a bigger liar than he already is? Or to protect Mayor Mick, the city and the legislature from facing the cold hard facts???
"My guess is the Hornets probably inflated the numbers by 2,000 or so...Just as all other teams do
ROGER, MOORE - Jul 6, 2008 7:35 PM" So are you admitting it was a stretch that the Hornets sold out games while here? Are you saying the averages published by the liars and the sheeple on here are 2000 high? Try and remember your comment Roger when it comes time in about 5 years for them to start whining about needing more seats, hence a bigger arena...
"Probably closer to 80" Based on what Roger? You admitted they are liars (oh sorry they only "Exaggerate/overstate/inflate"), so where are you getting the 80 from??
"just a hand full of much lower paying ones (around 30 or so people then of the 70 or so they have now??"..Probably closer to 80 but they will definitely be paid much less than the coaches and players since they make in the hundreds of thousands or millions
"And the fact that all of these people keep lying to you doesn't bother you in the least...WOW"...Exaggerations don't bother me at all...Just have to come to the realization that all politicians and businessmen overstate figures and impact to some degree...Typical in sales and marketing which sums up politics pretty well
"Roger, do you think Hornets attendance was the 18,000 avg as reported or were they off by about 6,300 you say the RedHawks are off by?"...Didn't say the Redhawks overstated by 6,300...Just that there is no way they averaged 7,000 with the crap (actual) attendance at most weekday games...My guess is the Hornets probably inflated the numbers by 2,000 or so...Just as all other teams do
Roger, thought you said you excelled at math? Doesn't 7,000 (their "crap" number) - 700 (your number) = 6,300?? "Didn't say the Redhawks overstated by 6,300...Just that there is no way they averaged 7,000 with the crap (actual) attendance at most weekday games..." Please explain how one gets to an average of over 7,000 if during the weekday games there is only 700? The Brick seats 13,066. Wouldn't that mean for every weekday game that only has 700, there would have to be a corresponding weekend game filled to or beyond capacity? Is that even possible, what is the ratio between weekday (700) games and the weekend ones?
Roger, do you think Hornets attendance was the 18,000 avg as reported or were they off by about 6,300 you say the RedHawks are off by? If they are off by that many, obviously the economic impact is in error too (if one can't even count the number of people correctly in an enclosed building...)
Roger, I take it then that the true "Quality Jobs" (the really high paying ones, the players and coaching staff) are NOT going to be going to Oklahomans...just a hand full of much lower paying ones (around 30 or so people then of the 70 or so they have now??
"How many of the "quality jobs" are actually going to be going to Oklahoman's (that is the intent of the QJA) rather than transplanted people from Seattle??"...Here is your answer Larry...This is from an article today from the Seattle Times...*Meanwhile, team employees are contemplating offers to move to Oklahoma City. Every employee will receive a bonus for staying with the team the past two years. Those who do not move will be given severance pay.
Anyone who leaves can negotiate a relocation package; however, employees were told to expect a decrease in salary because the cost of living is lower in Oklahoma City.
According to team sources, only a handful of employees have expressed interest in leaving.*
The 10 or so games I went to had solid attendance but I'm sure those numbers were fudged as well...Every team in every market in every sport fudges attendance
By the way, I take it you went to a Hornets game or two...are the sources that say they had numerous sell-outs and average attendance for Hornets games was 18,000? Or was that a lie too?
Not surprised really when someone can't admit when he was wrong (more than one instance) that lying to get what you want isn't an issue for you. Obviously isn't an issue for Bennett either. Problem with folks that make it a habit of lying is how do you know when they are telling YOU the truth? But if it is a non-issue for you, guess it doesn't matter to you.
"Roger, how can you say lying is a non-issue"...I'm sure the 170 figure wasn't the main reason most voted for it...170 or 120 it was still going to get done regardless..."THIS is the return Oklahoma gets for it's 60 million dollars over the next 15 years"...Wasn't that figure based on 170 jobs?...Fewer jobs = less rebates...Non issue
Roger, how can you say lying is a non-issue...the Legislature was told there would be 170 "quality jobs" coming to Oklahoma, the number isn't anywhere close to that???
"Major Employer"?? They employ 69 people in Seattle now, and that includes the 19 man players roster. Now, remove the coaches, team trainers, doctors and therapists from the remaining number and what have you got? Probably about 20-25 jobs coming to OKC...big friggin' whoop!! THIS is the return Oklahoma gets for it's 60 million dollars over the next 15 years..once again, big friggin' whoop!! It's a glorious day in OKC for sure.......
"How many of the "quality jobs" are actually going to be going to Oklahoman's (that is the intent of the QJA) rather than transplanted people from Seattle??"...Probably a decent amount since many of the mid level employees won't be doing backflips about moving 2,000 miles away...More and more of us Okies will be employed over the years when someone leaves for the bigger markets and paychecks
Shame on you so-called elitists who think that you can STAMP on some innocent okies fun in saying they now have an NBA team they can go to once a season when they get their bonus checks from Domino's Pizza. Shame on you nay-sayers who spoil the joy of slugs who spend endless time on their blogs and calling in to Jim Rome that now THEY have an NBA franchise of their own. I love the OKC Stars too -- and the OKC slickers -- but mostly miss All-Sports stadium. I wish they could have this "OKC NBA Team" play at least one game at Skirvin Plaza ballroom just to show the memory of Jerry Ford is alive and well! God Bless America and God Bless Henry Bellmon.
Bricktown is on the right path, but we need more retail and better parking. It's going to have to "grow up" to in order to satisfy this new need. These guys holding onto their buildings and not doing anything to develop them needs to sell or get moving. I would like to see the undeveloped land on the other side of I40 begin to take shape, as that is a back eye on downtown, as well as the I40 bridge. Once all these things happen, progress will really take off.
The fact is the team told the Legislature there would be 175 jobs to get the changes made to the Quality Jobs Act. IIt appears that was a lie. This article puts it at 120. The lease only requires 125 spaces for the team (if they are bringing 175 jobs don't they need at least 175 spaces). How many of the "quality jobs" are actually going to be going to Oklahoman's (that is the intent of the QJA) rather than transplanted people from Seattle?? How many of the millionaire players are going to be fired and Oklahoman's take their place?? How many of the millionaire players are going to make Oklahoma City their primary residence (not surrounding communities...this is important since it is the tax money collected in OKC that is paying for the Ford). Various sources have put the number of employees from the 60s to "around 100". Anyone care to refute the numbers?
How are all these folks going to get into and out of downtown without any mass transit? Parking is $5 at best now, will undoubtedly hit $10 or $12 minimum before long. Sure wish we had light rail like other "big league" cities."
The economic impact that the NBA will have on OKC can't be measured just by the amount of jobs the team brings(it's a lot more than 25, probably closer to 80). The impact will come over the next 3 years when we continue to see more and more development in the donwtown/bricktown area. The numerous winers that have posted here probably still don't believe that MAPS was a good idea.
Wow, so many negative jerks that troll these boards... it definitely adds entertainment value. Paul, Kevin and Gary, you guys need to get together sometime, you could call come up with ways to complain and whine about stuff that no one cares how you feel about.
Shut up, Brian...what is the first line of this article anyway? Here, let me help you...."Downtown gets a major new employer today " Gee Brian....take a city of what, lets say one million people, and add 20-25 jobs....want to tell me what miniscule percentage of one percentage point that works out to?? Shut up, indeed.....
Shut up, Paul. The NBA will bring in 19 multi-millionaires who spend money like it is going out of style. But the real benefit is the positive national attention this team will bring. Plus, you know, having an NBA team is *fun*.
"Major Employer"?? They employ 69 people in Seattle now, and that includes the 19 man players roster. Now, remove the coaches, team trainers, doctors and therapists from the remaining number and what have you got? Probably about 20-25 jobs coming to OKC...big friggin' whoop!! THIS is the return Oklahojma gets for it's 60 million dollars over the next 15 years..once again, big friggin' whoop!! It's a glorious day in OKC for sure.......
I am saddened that Slick Mick and the Gaylord mafia haven't stepped to the front to claim credit. So just where will Slick Mick's fresco taco stand be located?
Gary yes you need those jobs too duhhhh . Anyway congrats to OKC I am Gitty for you guys. I hope The ownership group continues to look to Tulsa , the NBA thought we were a part of the deal I have spent a number of dollars in OKC(Hornets) and hope to do so with the new team. OKC and Tulsa Markets nearly doubles the population and TV markets. Congrats OKC!!
major employer of people making minimum wage - ticket takers, janitorial, concessions. bricktown may hire a few more waiters, cooks, dishwashers. This isn't going to do much to increase the median wage in OKC.
this is so sweet, i drive a water taxi on the canal and I can only imagine that this will make the canal season that much longer allowing me to make extra money for school and other expenses!
Poll: What should the team in OKC be called? 07/02/2008
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What fans are saying 07/02/2008
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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.
ROGER, MOORE - Jul 6, 2008 7:35 PM" So are you admitting it was a stretch that the Hornets sold out games while here? Are you saying the averages published by the liars and the sheeple on here are 2000 high? Try and remember your comment Roger when it comes time in about 5 years for them to start whining about needing more seats, hence a bigger arena...
Anyone who leaves can negotiate a relocation package; however, employees were told to expect a decrease in salary because the cost of living is lower in Oklahoma City.
According to team sources, only a handful of employees have expressed interest in leaving.*
I'm astonished at what some people will bit** about.