Reaction to the name Thunder

Published: September 4, 2008

Here is what some business people and NBA fans have to say about Oklahoma City's new nickname. "It's not bad. It could be worse. I'm not a big fan of the non-plural names. It sounds like we're a WNBA team." — Tyler Solomon, 21, Norman

“I can close my eyes and hear AC/DC coming through the speakers. I can also hear at halftime Garth Brooks playing ‘The Thunder Rolls.’ I can see the headline in the paper. From a marketing standpoint, Thunder works. You don’t have to be a marketing expert to know that it’s a great name.

From a fan perspective, it takes a while to get adjusted to new brands. The owners will spend lots and lots of money promoting the brand and several years from now it will look just like all the other NBA brands.

From a marketing perspective, it’s a can’t-miss name.” — Renzi Stone, president of Saxum Public Relations and former Sooner basketball player

“I think it’s a fine name, and it’s great for Oklahoma City that the team is here. I can see a Bison as the mascot and the AC/DC song, Thunderstruck, as the theme song.” — Tom Searls, vice president of Schnake Turnbo Frank PR in Oklahoma City

"For being part of the National Basketball Association, I don't think (the logo) is as professional as it should be. The Thunder is definitely something that's gonna have to grow on me and everybody. Oklahoma does have some pretty good thunderstorms, but I don't think that should represent us." — Taylor Toth, 22, Tulsa

"I think it's really cliché, thinking of Oklahoma and storms. I think they could have been a lot more creative; it's really generic." — Erin Nelson, 21, Owasso

“My first reaction was wonder what the logo for thunder would look like? Overall I like it. .... Of course we all know Thunder comes after Lightning so as long as there is not an NBA team by that name we have a chance at the championship.” — Troy E. Jones, president of Access Financial Resources in Oklahoma City

"I'm not much for it. We could have come up with something better." — Steven Gray, 23, Norman

“I think it’s a cool name. I think it certainly fits our region, don’t you? I think it’s a great name. I think it’s a pretty exciting time for Oklahoma. You think about all these issues we usually talk about, helping attract entrepreneurs and growing entrepreneurial ventures. Part of that is having a region that has a really cool and attractive quality of life. I know we had an NBA team the last few years but now we have our own. That’s pretty neat.” — Tom Walker, chief executive officer at i2E, the not-for-profit corporation that mentors many of the state’s technology-based start-up companies

"It's starting to grow on me. I liked it better than the other five choices." — Clark Laster, 21, Oklahoma City

“With the thunderstorms we have in our state, ‘Thunder’ is a name Oklahomans can relate to and get behind. It’s simple. It’s clean. And it will make for good cheers.” — Jim Farris, president of James Farris Associates human resources firm in Oklahoma City

"I don't like it very much. It's OK, but I think they could have done better." — Brad Bridges, 28, Shawnee

"Thunder was definitely one of the better choices of the five they trademarked." — Joseph Kent, 19, Norman

“We're just excited it's finally official. I love it. I'll love it a lot more when there are 20,000 people coming to see it at Ford Center.” — Jim Cowan, director of the Bricktown Association

Contributing: Staff Writers Debbie Blossom, Jason Kersey, Steve Lackmeyer, Don Mecoy, Jack Money, Jennifer Palmer and Jim Stafford.

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