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FACTS &
FIGURES |
-Opened: October 29, 2008
(NBA)
-Capacity: 19,599 (NBA)
-Tenants: Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL)
-Cost: $89 million, $121.6 Million (renovations)
-Architect: Benham Companies
-Location: 100 West Reno,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
-Former Name(s): None |
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Traditionally, the
State of Oklahoma is known for its collegiate athletics as the
Sooner State is home to the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma
State. In 2008 this will change as the NBA's Oklahoma City
Thunder becomes the state's first professional sports franchise.
For decades citizens throughout Oklahoma have been strong
supporters of minor league and collegiate sports programs. As
early as 1993, Oklahoma City proposed building a new sports and
entertainment facility as part of their capital improvement
plan. In 1999 construction of a new sports arena began as the
city hoped to land a NBA or NHL team. Three years later the
arena was completed and named the Ford Center after the Oklahoma
Ford Association and Dealerships bought the naming rights.
Once completed, the Ford Center
became the home of the Central Hockey League's Oklahoma City
Blazers and numerous sporting events from Oklahoma State and the
University of Oklahoma.
For two
seasons, 2005-06 and 2006-07, Oklahoma City was the temporary
home of the New Orleans Hornets after their home, the New
Orleans Arenas, suffered damage from Hurricane Katrina.
The city and citizens of Oklahoma City welcomed the Hornets to
the Ford Center while the New Orleans Arena was repaired. After
the 2006-07 season, the Hornets moved back to New Orleans. In
2006, Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett bought the Seattle
Supersonics. Bennett tried unsuccessfully to have a new arena
built in Seattle. In November 2007 Bennett filed a request with
the league to relocate the team to Oklahoma City and the Ford
Center. On March 4, 2008 Oklahoma City voters
approved a sales tax extension to fund $121.6
million in improvements to the Ford Center and build a practice
facility in hopes of luring an NBA team.
Improvements to the Ford Center include roof top gardens,
skyboxes, restaurants and a 12,000 square foot family-fun zone.
On July 2, 2008 a
Seattle judge ruled that the Sonics could move to Oklahoma City
for the 2009-10 season as part of a settlement with the City of
Seattle. The Sonics paid $75 million to the city in exchange for
the immediate termination of the lease. The team's name and
colors will stay in Seattle. The franchise was renamed the
Oklahoma City Thunder.
On October 29,
2008 the Thunder played their first game at Oklahoma City's
Ford Center against the Milwaukee Bucks. For basketball, the
Ford Center has a seating capacity of 19,599. Four levels of
seats enclose the court and include over 3,000 club seats and 49
luxury suites. It is clear that the Thunder will be a success in
Oklahoma City as the team may cap season ticket sales because of
demand. |
