NBA Ticket Calls Prompt Second Line

By Randy Ellis/The Oklahoman ~ Because of the heavy volume of calls from fans who want tickets to see Oklahoma City’s new NBA basketball team this fall, the team has added a second phone line.

Customers now can call either 601-0975 or (888) 618-HOOP to put their names on a list to be contacted when season tickets and multi-game ticket packages become available, said Dan Mahoney, spokesman for the team’s owners.

Customers also can register online by going to the team’s website, www.supersonics.com. Mahoney said he would “strongly urge” people to use the Web site because it will be available 24 hours a day.

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NBA Team's Ticket Interest Reported Brisk

Interest in Oklahoma City's new professional basketball team seems high today following yesterday's announcement that the Seattle SuperSonics, less the name, are headed to the city immediately.

Phone lines set up to take names of those wanting to place ticket orders reportedly are jammed today, and have been since the team's managing partner, Clay Bennett, announced the NBA team's imminent relocation yesterday. The team will play this year in the Ford Center.

"Brisk" is how one operator described incoming calls for ticket information. "It's like the Hornets, plus," he added. The reference is to the flood of ticket sales that followed word two years go that the New Orleans Hornets would temporarily relocate to Oklahoma City.

The team's relocation came after action by the Legislature and the city to smooth the way with incentives.

Owners are expected to move quickly to select a name for the team; with a short fuse on the printing of materials including a schedule, the selection of a name immediately is necessary.

While Bennett and his partners will pay Seattle $45 million up front as part of the deal, one businessman said the owners will save "$100 million, at least" by making the move immediately instead of waiting two years.

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NBA Team Owners Approve SuperSonics Move

NBA team owners voted 28-2 today to approve the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City.

One of the first to respond to the announcement was House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, who said, “I am thrilled the NBA relocation committee voted today to allow the SuperSonics to move to Oklahoma City. Having a major league sports team in Oklahoma elevates our state to a new level nationally and internationally.”

“State and Oklahoma City officials came together to craft an economic incentive package that proved to the Sonics ownership we are serious about becoming a major league state. And today the committee showed they see Oklahoma’s potential.”

Senator Jim Inhofe said, “The relocation of the NBA Supersonics franchise to Oklahoma City is a slam-dunk for not only the city, but the whole state of Oklahoma,” Senator Inhofe said. “Oklahoma City proved itself to be a first-rate city for a NBA franchise after its strong support for the Hornets franchise and the City of New Orleans while it recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“Despite last-minute lobbying by Washington State's political leaders to derail the vote on relocation, Oklahoma City and our entire state have taken the latest step toward being the permanent home of a NBA franchise. As evidenced by the lopsided vote of the owners, Oklahoma City and the Sonics management presented a strong case to the NBA.

“The Sonics’ relocation to Oklahoma City has truly been a team effort: from the state legislature's passage of and the Governor’s support for the Quality Jobs incentive legislation, the efforts of Mayor Mick Cornett and the local Oklahoma City business and civic community, to the outstanding leadership of Clay Bennett, Aubrey McClendon, Tom Ward, Jeffrey Records and the rest of the Sonics ownership team. Finally, our state can boast some of the best fans in the country - this move is a testament to their dedication.”

Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said, “Oklahomans already knew we were ready to become the permanent home for a big league sports franchise, and today’s decision by NBA owners shows that they agree. This is a proud and exciting day for the entire State of Oklahoma, and is evidence that when Oklahomans work together we can make great things happen."

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Benge Praises NBA Quality Jobs Act Bill; Henry Quickly Signs It Into Law

With the quick signature of Governor Henry, Oklahoma has done its part to attract its first major league sports team following the House passage of an expansion of the Quality Jobs Program today, House Speaker Chris Benge said.

The legislation, which expands the program to include the NBA and the 170 jobs with a $74 million payroll it is estimated to bring to the state, passed the House and went to Henry for action; he quickly signed it into law.

Senate Bill 1819 also extends the act to cover a 15-year period and puts a reimbursement cap on the incentives from the state to not exceed the top tax rate in Oklahoma. Currently the tax rate is 5.5 percent.

The change is part of a requested financial package the team needed to make the move to Oklahoma. The NBA relocation committee is expected to vote Friday on a request to move the SuperSonics basketball team from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

If the team moves to Oklahoma, the state will be one of only 22 states and 28 cities with a team. Benge, House author of the legislation, said bringing a major league team to Oklahoma City financially benefits the entire state.

“By having a professional sports team in Oklahoma we will gain exposure to our state nationally and internationally,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “This will provide an opportunity to compete for additional jobs to come to the state.”

On ESPN alone, Benge said, Oklahoma will be mentioned every game night and be seen by 90 million viewers. That is not to mention scores being listed on just about every TV station and in every newspaper in the country.

“Employers not only look at the business climate of the state when looking to relocate, but they also look at available workforce, the state’s tax structure, and the quality of life the state would offer its employees,” said Benge. “There is no doubt having a major league sports team puts us in competition with other states when businesses are looking to move.”

It is estimated that local and state tax revenue to the state over a 15 year period will be $11.2 million.

“This is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity for our state, and I am glad we will be able to say we did all we could do to bring a team to Oklahoma,” said Benge.

Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said, “The State of Oklahoma has done its part to help attract an NBA franchise to Oklahoma. Landing a major league sports team will provide an economic benefit to the entire state, and will put Oklahoma on the map as a ‘major league’ state." Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, author of SB 1819, added, “This is fabulous news for the people of Oklahoma.”

Coffee noted that the state budget won’t be impacted because the rebates provided for in this bill would come from funds that the state wouldn’t receive at all if the NBA doesn’t locate a team here.

The bill passed the House with a vote of 67-32 today and will now go to the governor for his signature.

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Mike Reynolds Rips NBA 'Boondoggle' Bill

Legislation providing tax incentives to NBA basketball teams may contain major flaws that could ultimately drain hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that would otherwise go to schools, roads, and health care programs, Rep. Mike Reynolds warned today.

"We've already eliminated one major loophole that would have given millions of taxpayer dollars to out-of-state teams that simply visit Oklahoma, but this bill is still fatally flawed," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "Voters need to contact their legislators to voice opposition to this multi-million-dollar boondoggle."

Senate Bill 1819 would expand Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Act,originally designed to lure manufacturers to the state, to include NBA teams. The bill would permit an NBA team to receive rebates on the taxable payroll paid to players.

The bill is expected to receive a final vote in the House today.

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Pro-NBA Bill Passes House Committee

Legislation that will pave the way for the National Basketball Association to move a team, likely the Seattle SuperSonics, to Oklahoma passed a House committee today.

The bill expands the state’s Quality Jobs Program to include the NBA and the 170 jobs with a $74 million payroll it is estimated to bring to the state.

It also extends the act to cover a 15-year period and puts a reimbursement cap on the incentives from the state to not exceed the top tax rate in Oklahoma. Currently the tax rate is 5.5 percent.

If a team moves to Oklahoma, the state will be one of only 22 states and 28 cities with a team.
House Speaker Chris Benge, House author of Senate Bill 1819, said the exposure an NBA team will bring to Oklahoma is immeasurable.

“This will expose the state to not only millions of television viewers across the country and world, but will put our name in front of a whole new network of influential people,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “This is the exact reason we created the Quality Jobs Program in Oklahoma—to attract significant, world-class employers to our state.”

"On ESPN alone, Oklahoma will be mentioned every game night and be seen by 90 million viewers. That is not to mention scores being listed on just about every TV station and in every newspaper in the country.

“This will show the nation and world we are a major league state,” said Benge. “That is a significant factor in attracting other employers to Oklahoma.”

It is estimated that local and state tax revenue to the state over a 15 year period will be $11.2 million.

The bill passed the House Economic and Development Committee today and will now move to the full House for consideration.

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Sales Tax Opponents Say Cost Is Too High

Opponents of a sales tax to raise $121 million for improvements to the Ford Center and construction of an NBA practice facility pushed the argument Friday that the cost is too high.

Voters will decide Tuesday whether to approve the one-cent sales tax.

At a news conference Friday, Oklahoma City area resident David Glover handed out copies of an e-mail from Oklahoma City special projects manager Tom Anderson informing him that the proposal aimed at luring the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics would cost the average resident $10 per month or $150 per year.

Glover said he would support the relocation of an NBA team to Oklahoma City, but this price is too much to pay. "If I thought it would be just a penny or just a couple of pennies, I'd be for it," said Glover, who lives in The Village.

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