After he said "We made it,” after he offered his congratulations and after he assured us the NBA will be in Oklahoma City next season, Clay Bennett got down to the business of answering some long-awaited questions.
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They included the team name, ticket prices, employment and the franchise's prospective practice facility.
Soon after the Seattle SuperSonics reached a settlement with the city of Seattle over their lease dispute, agreeing to pay $45 million for the right to relocate to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season, Bennett turned his attention to transitioning his franchise to Oklahoma.
"We will reserve the name Sonics and SuperSonics and the marks and the colors and will not use them,” Bennett said. "But we will return them to (Seattle) if a team does indeed return to Seattle.”
The team's new name and colors have not yet been finalized, Bennett said, but will be soon.
"We are working very closely with the NBA on the development of this new name and color scheme,” Bennett said. "There are vast legal issues and licensing issues relative to the league with how they use the name with the distribution that the league has around the world. A lot of work has to go into seeing that we can protect the name and use the name appropriately in our business.”
The location of the $20 million practice facility, which city voters approved on March 4, has not been determined. But team general manager Sam Presti is scheduled to visit Oklahoma City soon to begin weighing potential sites.
"There are several locations that are under consideration,” Bennett said, "and that will be coming into focus very, very soon...This will be amongst the finest practice facilities in the league.”
Bennett acknowledged that ticket prices will increase from what Hornets fans grew accustomed to from 2005-07, but he added that he aims to keep the games affordable.
"They're going to be higher,” Bennett said. "We will still have affordable seats. We are going to commit to making sure affordable seats exist throughout the building. We're going to focus very hard on making sure that everyone in this city and state that wants to go to a game can go to a game.”
Bennett said the franchise will do everything it can to allow former Hornets season ticket holders an opportunity to reclaim their seats. A plan for that, however, has not been finalized, and the franchise cannot make any guarantees.
"Of course without the experience of the Hornets we would not be standing here today,” Bennett said of New Orleans' temporarily displaced franchised. "We all know that and I appreciate that very much. It's going to be very difficult to say that if you had a seat at the Ford Center for the Hornets that you can have that very seat again with a new team and a new building.
"But rest assured we are cognizant of the passion that the Hornets fans had and have and want to try to find a way to somehow reward that and recognize that as we move forward.”
The team also will work with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce to hire new employees. A job fair will be held this summer to fill the vacancies left by any of the team's 125 staff members who choose not to relocate from Seattle.
Chamber president Roy Williams said the Chamber will also help the organization advertise ticket information and develop relationships with the business community.
"But we've done that, so we're not uncomfortable with that,” Williams said.
Oklahoma City Manager Jim Couch said the city is prepared to handle the transition and any of the team's needs after accommodating the Hornets when they relocated here one month before training camp began in 2005.
"It's not a breeze,” said Couch. "It's a lot to do in a short amount of time, but we'll be fine.”
The team's offices will be located downtown and inside the Ford Center once renovations are complete.
Bennett said Seattle also will retain its original 1978-79 championship banner and trophy, but the ownership group will create a duplicate banner and trophy to bring with the team to Oklahoma City "as a part of what we believe is the history that we purchased as part of this transaction.”
The team's historical statistics and records, Bennett said, will remain with the Oklahoma City franchise but are transferable to a future Seattle franchise.
All regular-season games will be played in Oklahoma City, Bennett said, but Tulsa likely will receive some preseason games.
"We want to make this Oklahoma's team,” Bennett said. "This is a team that's going to play games in Tulsa, it's a team that's going to promote in other markets and have appearances in other markets, and we really feel that bringing everybody together is a huge part of what this is all about.”
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What about the Knights even though it really doesn't represent OKC, 89ers even though it sounds like 76ers and the Redhawks used to be named that if im not mistaken. But seriously who would want to wear an "Oil Barons" jersey or one that says "Thunder" with a big lightning bolt across it? lol. I know Lightning causes Thunder but they are two separate things. lol. Well "The Barons" does sound a little better than "Thunder" to me. Whatever name they choose i'll be at the games. lol.
The info was from around the horn listen to the podcast for july 3 2nd segment end of the conversation from the host when he ends it. He says both names and mentions which ever name they chose. for those wondering.
From what I heard there are 2 names romured to have been pass on to the NBA for sure that is the thunder and barons. I got that from ESPN on one of there shows. The new name should come out soon the season schedule I think is due out by the end of the month.
I know bennett said that the team name and colors would be decided soon, but has a specific date been set, or has anyone heard of when it will be announced?
Firebrands sound interesting, but I think it would be a little bit too cowboyish for my tastes. I would prefer a name that represents our native american history. Thunderbirds sounds like the best choice to me. I can even envision a large feathery thunderbird mascot. We could incorporate other native themes like totems poles, as well. Names like Barons and Outlaws seem to be in bad taste, especially considering how we got the team.
I like the idea of the team brand being relevant to our state, but come on, "Twisters" or "Thunder" is just plain hokie. We're going to be IN A NATIONAL spotlight (and in some sense an INTERNATIONAL spotlight) so we don't to feed in to others' negative preconceptions about our state. It is very likely the branding of our new team can shed a whole new positive perspective of our capitol city. That being said, here's a few ideas that I've come up with:
* The OKC Voltage - Garners our state's contributions to the all-important energy sector, PLUS it covers the violent weather systems commonly attributed to Oklahoma. Preferred colors are Silver & Blue. Logo: A striking neon-blue energy bolt arcing around a traditional orange basketball.
* The OKC Firebrands - Acknowledges Oklahoma's western heritage, plus it promotes the idea that the team is our very "own". Colors are Red & Orange. Logo is an "OKC" firebrander sizzling the side of a basketball with a flame rising diagonally. The "K" in "OKC" is the stem or handle of the firebrander.
The OKC Vortex - Again, Vortex expresses the violent Oklahoma weather but more importantly, the Vortex concept doubles as a guaranteed shot into the basket. This concept is conveyed in the logo where a tornado is inside the flexing basketball net, as a basketball appears to be suctioned in. The colors: Navy and Tan.
The OKC Trash - If an animal were to be chosen, there are no existing fish symbols in any of the NBA teams, hence the Trash. A freshwater fish such as a catfish or bass slapping a basketball with its tail serves as the team logo. Colors could be Black and Teal.
The OKC Pulse or Vibe - Probably the weakest idea of my list here, but it does convey energy, electricity and vibrancy. Colors can be black and yellow.
NAMES TO AVOID:
* Scissortails - might be great for a WNBA nickname, but a men's team?
* Outlaws - Only if we want to appear as lawless citizens, and the NBA might as well resurrect the Bullets for Washington.
* Twisters - I absolutely detest this one because it doesn't communicate strength, but rather a weak, flimsy dust devil. Vortex is a much better choice if a tornado concept is to be used.
* Buffalo or Bison - Big bulky animals might work for a football team, but the athletic trait in basketball is finesse. Besides, a large mammal would too closely resemble the Chicago Bulls or the Memphis Grizzlies.
* Thunder - this one is disappointing because it reminds me too much of the Wichita hockey team. Besides, thunder is only noise whereas lighting is what does all the damage.
* Barons - difficult to relate to.
* Pumas, Cougars or other cats - the newest team is the Charlotte Bobcats, and another big cat mascot just isn't creative.
How about the Oklahoma City Twisters or Tornadoes? We have enough of them in the state. The F5's would work as well, but I guess it would have to be changed to E-F5.
The knights have no connection with the city. I think it will probably be something oil related since thats the big business here and that is what some of the PBC people are involved with. if it is, it would only make sense to make the colors black and gold (hence Black Gold = oil) and I dont think there are any black and gold teams in the nba (besides when the wizards wear their alternate uni's)
I like the "Knights". It sounds more tough. A name like the "Thunder" does sounds pretty lame. What would the mascot look like? I like the Knights and OKC wont regret this name if this becomes the team's name.
Check this link out:
http://jeffreyvancealbertson.com/okcinnba.html
I love this. I mean the colors may be kinda bright but that would be a good name for the team. I a name like the "Knights" doesn't really represent anything about Oklahoma but I think it would be a great name. know it really doesnt represent.
What do you guys think about the "Knights"?
Isn't the Sonic food chain hdqtrs in OKC. Call them the OKC Sonic Burger #2 w/mayo. Seriously I am in favor of soemthing that would go with black, red and silver team colors. Black gold, red man, silver lining. Plus those colors will cause aggresive play.
I also like the Oklahoma Thunderbirds, for the very reason Jerry from OKC mentioned. I can see it shortened to T-Birds real easy in the sports media, but no worries there. As for the P&Mers whining about the move, it ain't the good folks of Oklahoma (Afton HS 1975, Okie State 1979, still have family in Miami & Fairland) that did it- go after Clay Bennett. Next, go after that idiot who owns Starbucks & overbuilt his five-dollar-cup-of-coffee empire. Then, chew on the colective butts of the Seattle city leaders. The fans (that's you and me, Bunky) are the ones who seem to get worked over by team ownership. Yelling at us is a waste of good oxygen- save it for the real suspects. And oh by the way, unless you've been to Oklahoma, your comments mean nothing to me. I've been to the Pacific Northwest, and it's a pretty awesome area, but that isn't where my heart is. I like sunrise over Grand Lake, hiking in the Arbuckles, canoeing on the Mountain Fork River, looking out over miles & miles of wheat fields ready for harvest, listening to the crickets at night under a sea of stars............I'm not a big-city person, but I will go now & then. Don't hate us Okies, Seattleites- hate the current & former owner, and their greed. All those banners? Shoot, keep 'em- they belong to you. If I could, I'd FedEx 'em back in a heartbeat.
I'd like to harken back to the glory days of the CBA and call them the OKC Cavalry. I LOVED that team! Of the names already mentioned, Thunderbirds is my favorite.
I also like the Thunderbirds moniker for several reasons. I think the colors should be blue, white and green. Green and white are our state colors, and blue the primary color of our flag. Wouldn't be nice if the uniforms would match the Oklahoman flag? Also green and white, would represent the team's history with the Sonics, while the blue and white would represent our city's history with Hornets.
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Clay Bennett leaves a press conference on Wednesday after announcing that the Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City and be taking a new name. by BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
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http://jeffreyvancealbertson.com/nbainokc.html
* The OKC Voltage - Garners our state's contributions to the all-important energy sector, PLUS it covers the violent weather systems commonly attributed to Oklahoma. Preferred colors are Silver & Blue. Logo: A striking neon-blue energy bolt arcing around a traditional orange basketball.
* The OKC Firebrands - Acknowledges Oklahoma's western heritage, plus it promotes the idea that the team is our very "own". Colors are Red & Orange. Logo is an "OKC" firebrander sizzling the side of a basketball with a flame rising diagonally. The "K" in "OKC" is the stem or handle of the firebrander.
The OKC Vortex - Again, Vortex expresses the violent Oklahoma weather but more importantly, the Vortex concept doubles as a guaranteed shot into the basket. This concept is conveyed in the logo where a tornado is inside the flexing basketball net, as a basketball appears to be suctioned in. The colors: Navy and Tan.
The OKC Trash - If an animal were to be chosen, there are no existing fish symbols in any of the NBA teams, hence the Trash. A freshwater fish such as a catfish or bass slapping a basketball with its tail serves as the team logo. Colors could be Black and Teal.
The OKC Pulse or Vibe - Probably the weakest idea of my list here, but it does convey energy, electricity and vibrancy. Colors can be black and yellow.
NAMES TO AVOID:
* Scissortails - might be great for a WNBA nickname, but a men's team?
* Outlaws - Only if we want to appear as lawless citizens, and the NBA might as well resurrect the Bullets for Washington.
* Twisters - I absolutely detest this one because it doesn't communicate strength, but rather a weak, flimsy dust devil. Vortex is a much better choice if a tornado concept is to be used.
* Buffalo or Bison - Big bulky animals might work for a football team, but the athletic trait in basketball is finesse. Besides, a large mammal would too closely resemble the Chicago Bulls or the Memphis Grizzlies.
* Thunder - this one is disappointing because it reminds me too much of the Wichita hockey team. Besides, thunder is only noise whereas lighting is what does all the damage.
* Barons - difficult to relate to.
* Pumas, Cougars or other cats - the newest team is the Charlotte Bobcats, and another big cat mascot just isn't creative.
Check this link out:
http://jeffreyvancealbertson.com/okcinnba.html
I love this. I mean the colors may be kinda bright but that would be a good name for the team. I a name like the "Knights" doesn't really represent anything about Oklahoma but I think it would be a great name. know it really doesnt represent.
What do you guys think about the "Knights"?
http://jeffreyvancealbertson.com/okcinnba.html