Sports in Oklahoma City

Last updated
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, home of the Oklahoma City Dodgers and the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament. AT&T Ballpark.jpg
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, home of the Oklahoma City Dodgers and the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament.

Oklahoma City is home to several professional sports teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Thunder is the city's second "permanent" major professional sports franchise after the now-defunct AFL Oklahoma Wranglers and is the third major-league team to call the city home when considering the temporary hosting of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for the 2005–06 and 2006–07 NBA seasons.

Contents

Other notable professional sports clubs in Oklahoma City include the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, which is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Crusaders of Oklahoma Rugby Football Club USA Rugby

Venues

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.jpg
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chesapeake energy arena night.JPG
Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City is the large multipurpose arena which hosts concerts, NHL exhibition games, and many of the city's pro sports teams. In 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder became the major tenant. Located nearby in Bricktown, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is the home to the city's baseball team, the Dodgers. "The Brick", as it is locally known, is considered one of the finest minor league parks in the nation.

There are several other stadiums and arenas in the city, including the arena inside the Cox Convention Center (where Blue home games are held), the State Fair Arena (which will be demolished September 2022), Taft Stadium, USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, and Abe Lemons Arena which is located at Oklahoma City University.

MacArthur Park Raceway is an internationally recognized raceway in Oklahoma City.

Basketball

Hornets

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana, and surrounding areas, the NBA's New Orleans Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans) temporarily relocated to the venue then known as Ford Center, playing the majority of its home games there during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. The team became the first NBA franchise to play regular-season games in the state of Oklahoma.

The team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets while playing in Oklahoma City and had adopted a split personality of sorts, wearing 'KC neutral' home jerseys (with an KC patch of sorts over an H-alternate jersey) and 'New Orleans' jerseys during away games.

Although some city officials wanted the Hornets to stay in Oklahoma City permanently, the team ultimately returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season. The Hornets played their final home game in Oklahoma City during the exhibition season on October 9, 2007, against the Houston Rockets, as a way to say thanks for the temporary hosting. The 'hometown Hornets' won the game 94–92.

Thunder

Kevin Durant dunking against the Wizards on March 11, 2011. Kevin Durant dunk.jpg
Kevin Durant dunking against the Wizards on March 11, 2011.

On July 2, 2008, the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Seattle SuperSonics franchise announced the team would relocate to Oklahoma City, and begin play at the city's sports arena (then known as the Ford Center) starting with the 2008–09 NBA season. On July 2, the city of Seattle settled with the ownership group of the SuperSonics franchise, allowing them to move the team immediately. As part of the settlement, the SuperSonics name, logos, and colors were left in Seattle for any use by a future expansion or relocated team in Seattle. The franchise history would be shared between the hypothetical team and the Thunder. [1] [2] The relocated team was named the Oklahoma City Thunder and color scheme for the Oklahoma City Thunder was announced on September 3. [3] Other name finalists for the relocated team included "Energy", "Wind", "Marshalls", "Barons", and "Bison". [4]

With a 28–2 vote by its Board of Governors, on April 18, 2008, the NBA had provided conditional approval for the franchise to move to Oklahoma City for the 2008–09 season provided the ownership could free themselves from the legal challenges that existed with the city of Seattle. [5] On July 2, 2008, the city of Seattle reached an agreement to terminate the Sonics' lease and allow the team to relocate to Oklahoma City. Clay Bennett determined that as of July 3, 2008 the relocation of the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics would commence. The team was the fourth NBA franchise to relocate since 1985; the Kansas City Kings moved to Sacramento, the Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis and the Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans. [6]

In April 2010, the Thunder secured a position in the NBA's Western Conference Playoffs, having its best season since the mid-1990s and winning two games in a series against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. In 2012, the team made it to the playoff finals, but lost their championship opportunity to the Miami Heat. According to Forbes, the first year the team was in Oklahoma City, the Thunder earned $111,000,000 in revenue. This is considered to be an overwhelming success and ranks them in the 20th position in the NBA. The team's operating income of $12.7 million was on par with such veteran NBA franchises as the Boston Celtics, who earned $12.9 million and far exceeding the net operating losses of the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers of -$17.4 and -$20.3 respectively.

Soccer

Two sides have emerged in the race for an Oklahoma City professional soccer team. On July 2, 2013, 3rd division USL Pro awarded a franchise to Prodigal LLC, an OKC-based event management company. Prodigal has partnered with ADG in building a 7,000 seat soccer-specific stadium, with the ability to expand to 20,000 to meet MLS standards. Prodigal CEO Bob Funk Jr stated, "We look forward to working with ADG to design a stadium that can serve the needs of our USL PRO team, and also expand based on our long-term goal of bringing an MLS team to Oklahoma City." [7]

On July 25, 2013, 2nd division NASL awarded a franchise to Sold Out Strategies, led by Brad Lund. As a result, USL sent a cease-and-desist letter to Sold Out Strategies who, in turn, countered with a lawsuit. OKC Pro Soccer LLC businessman Tim McLaughlin now manages the NASL franchise. Both the NASL and USL Pro teams battled for Taft Stadium access to begin their first season. The Oklahoma City School Board awarded the Taft Stadium lease agreement to the NASL franchise.

Since USL Pro holds a player development agreement with MLS, Prodigal Director of Entertainment Darren Ransely noted, "For Oklahoma City, bringing USL Pro is a conjugate path for the future to bring in a MLS team." [8] As the battle between the 2 sides continue, NASL team leader McLaughlin added, "It will be up to the community to decide." [9] The Oklahoma City Energy FC began play in USL Pro, since rebranded as the United Soccer League, in Spring 2014. Rayo OKC began play in the NASL Spring 2016 season, but folded after the NASL's 2016 fall season.

Other sporting events

Oklahoma City is the annual host of the Big 12 baseball tournament, the World Cup of Softball, and the annual NCAA Women's College World Series. The city has held the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second round and hosted the Big 12 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in 2007 and 2009. Since 2006, Oklahoma City has been home to the annual Bricktown Showdown Triple-A Baseball Championship game.

Other major sporting events include Thoroughbred and Quarter horse racing circuits at Remington Park and numerous horse shows and equine events that take place at the state fairgrounds each year. There are numerous golf courses and country clubs spread around the city in addition to tennis clubs and high school level sporting activities including the well known "Polo Bowl" between Casady School (Cyclones) and Heritage Hall School (Chargers).

Metropolitan area collegiate sports

Oklahoma City is host to numerous major college and amateur sporting events. The major universities in the area – the University of Oklahoma (located within the metropolitan area in Norman), Oklahoma City University (located in the city proper), and Oklahoma State University – often schedule major basketball games and other sporting events at Chesapeake Energy Arena, although most games are played in their campus arenas.

The Oklahoma City University Stars has a slate of sporting clubs which play on campus including a top-rated rowing program which has events on the Oklahoma River. Of special note, the university had announced its desire to possibly enter the NCAA during the 2007 athletic season.

Collegiate teams

SchoolNicknameColorsAssociationConferenceSecondary Association(s)
University of Oklahoma Sooners Crimson and Cream NCAA Division I Big 12 ACHA, MCLA
Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls Orange and Black
University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Bronze and Blue NCAA Division II MIAA ACHA
Oklahoma Baptist University Bison Green and Gold GAC
Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm Crimson and White NCCAA Division I
Oklahoma Christian University Eagles and Lady Eagles Maroon and Grey Heartland NCCAA Division I
Langston University LionsNavy Blue and Orange NAIA SAC
Mid-America Christian University EvangelsRed and White NCCAA Division I
Oklahoma City University Stars White and Blue
University of Science and Arts DroversGreen and Gold
Southwestern Christian University EaglesWhite and Blue NCCAA Division I
Redlands Community College CougarsRed, Yellow, Black and White NJCAA BSC
Rose State College RaidersBlue and Gold
Randall University SaintsBlue and Gold NCCAA Southwest Region ACCA

Current metropolitan area teams

ClubSportLeagueStadium
OKC Energy FC Soccer United Soccer League Taft Stadium
Oklahoma City 1889 FC National Premier Soccer League University of Central Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball National Basketball Association Paycom Center
Oklahoma City Blue NBA G League
Oklahoma City Dodgers Baseball Pacific Coast League Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
Oklahoma City FC Women's soccer Women's Premier Soccer League Casady School
Twister City Roller Derby Flat Track Roller Derby Women's Flat Track Derby Association Arctic Edge Ice Arena
Oklahoma Warriors Ice hockey North American Hockey League

Former teams

Oklahoma City was home to the following defunct sports teams:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate Pledge Arena</span> Multi-purpose indoor arena in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Climate Pledge Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is located north of Downtown Seattle in the 74-acre (30 ha) entertainment complex known as Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair, for which it was originally developed. After opening in 1962, it was subsequently bought and converted by the city of Seattle for entertainment purposes. From 2018 to 2021, the arena underwent a $1.15 billion redevelopment; the renovation preserved the original exterior and roof, which was declared a Seattle Landmark in 2017 and was listed on the Washington Heritage Register as well as the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. The renovated venue has a capacity of 17,151 for ice hockey and 18,300 for basketball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paycom Center</span> Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

Paycom Center is an arena located in Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It opened in 2002 and since 2008 has served as the home venue for the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Oklahoma City Thunder. Previously, the arena was home to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League (CHL) from 2002 until the team folded in July 2009, and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of AF2 from 2004 to 2009 when the team moved to the Prairie Surf Studios. In addition to its use as a sports venue, Paycom Center hosts concerts, family and social events, conventions, ice shows, and civic events. The arena is owned by the city and operated by the SMG property management company and has 18,203 seats in the basketball configuration, 15,152 for hockey, and can seat up to 16,591 for concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma City Blue</span> American minor league basketball team of the NBA G League

The Oklahoma City Blue are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City and are affiliated with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Blue compete in the NBA G League as members of the Western Conference. The Blue play their home games at Paycom Center, an arena shared with the Thunder.

The Seattle metropolitan area is home to several legendary professional and amateur sports teams. This includes eight teams in major leagues, several in minor leagues, and collegiate programs for two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I universities and one NCAA Division II university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle SuperSonics</span> American professional basketball team, 1967–2008

The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The SuperSonics competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Division (1967–1970), and later as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific (1970–2004) and Northwest (2004–2008) divisions. After the 2007–08 season ended, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, where they now play as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City</span> NBA franchise relocation

The Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City was a successful effort by the ownership group of the Seattle SuperSonics to relocate the team from Seattle, Washington to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team began play as the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2008–09 NBA season, after becoming the third National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise to relocate in the 2000s.

The Oklahoma City Thunder played its inaugural season in the 2008–09 NBA season. It was the team's 1st season in Oklahoma City since the Seattle SuperSonics relocation was approved by league owners prior to settling a lawsuit. The team played at the Ford Center.

Clayton Ike Bennett is an American businessman and chairman of the Professional Basketball Club LLC, the ownership group of the Oklahoma City Thunder, an NBA franchise formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Bennett is the chairman of Oklahoma City-based Dorchester Capital Corporation, as well as the chairman emeritus of the board of directors of the Oklahoma Heritage Association and served as chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma from 2011–2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma City Thunder</span> National Basketball Association team in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Paycom Center.

Professional Basketball Club LLC is an investment group headed by Clay Bennett that owns the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Oklahoma City Thunder franchise and the Thunder's NBA G League affiliate Oklahoma City Blue. The group also owned the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)'s Seattle Storm franchise from 2006 to 2008. The PBC then sold the Storm to local Seattle owners, before relocating the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets</span> Aftermath of hurricane in New Orleans Hornets

Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, and caused extensive damage to the New Orleans Arena. As a result, the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s New Orleans Hornets were unable to play any home games at the Arena for both the entire 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, and temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to become the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. After playing the majority of home games for both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, the Hornets returned to New Orleans for the 2007–08 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Florida</span> Overview of sports in Florida

The U.S. state of Florida has three National Football League teams, two Major League Baseball teams, two National Basketball Association teams, two National Hockey League teams, two Major League Soccer teams and 13 NCAA Division I college teams.

The 2006–07 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets season was the team's 5th in the NBA. The Hornets split their games between the New Orleans Arena and the Ford Center, playing the majority of their schedule in Oklahoma City as they had in the previous season. The Hornets improved by one win, finishing 39–43, but failed to reach the playoffs.

Oklahoma City FC was a men's soccer team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Founded in 2013, the team played in the USL Premier Development League in their first year before shifting to the NPSL. The organization also runs the Oklahoma City FC women's team in the Women's Premier Soccer League and the proposed Oklahoma City FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The team folded in 2014.

The following is a timeline of the expansion and evolution of franchises in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league was formed as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1946 and took its current name in 1949. The histories of NBA franchises that were also members of the American Basketball League (ABL), National Basketball League (NBL), National Pro Basketball League (NPBL), and American Basketball Association (ABA) are also included.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OKC Energy FC</span> American soccer team

Oklahoma City Energy Football Club, or simply Energy FC, is an American professional soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The club is a member of the USL Championship, the second division of the American soccer league system. Although having not officially ceased operations, the club is not fielding a roster and has relieved head coach Leigh Veidman, having canceled their 2022 and 2023 seasons. The club cites inability to meet league requirements for field conditions.

The expansion of the National Basketball Association has happened several times in the league's history since it began play in 1946. The most recent examples of the expansion of the NBA are the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat in 1988, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic in 1989, Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, and New Orleans Hornets in 2002. In June 2022, Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that while there are no current plans to expand beyond 30 teams, the NBA "invariably will expand."

The I-5 rivalry was a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle SuperSonics. The two Pacific Northwest cities are 180 miles apart and connected by Interstate 5. The rivalry ended in 2008 when the Sonics were relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

References

  1. ↑ "Sonics tell NBA of intent to move SuperSonics to Oklahoma City". ESPN. November 3, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Sonics, city reach settlement". The Seattle Times . July 2, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Thunder Rolls Into Oklahoma City" (PDF) (Press release). National Basketball Association. September 3, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Oklahoma City's new NBA team to get name next week". Associated Press. August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  5. ↑ "NBA Board of Governors Approve Sonics Move to Oklahoma City Pending Resolution of Litigation". National Basketball Association. April 18, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Oklahoma City's NBA team to be called Thunder". Associated Press. September 3, 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Prodigal Partners with ADG to Build Soccer Specific Stadium in OKC". Prodigal.com. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Major League Soccer in the Works for Oklahoma City". NewsOn6.com. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Ball Control: Two Soccer Team Operators Battle for the Honor of Being OKC's Favorite Football Club". Oklahoma Gazette. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.