Comments on: Thunder: What do you think about Thunder Alley changes?

By: Andre'

Andre' — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:54:52 +0000

I was saddened to hear that eight citizens were shot the evening of the Thunder/Lakers Playoff game, butI am extremely upset that Mayor Cornett and the Thunder management decided to cancel the watch party. It’s been a way for the fan that wasn’t able to get a ticket to feel a part of the game. The frequent television shots of the crowd were great. There were NO problems in Thunder Alley. Have there been problems in Bricktown? Yes! Are the crowds large for the Arts Festival? Yes! Opening Night? Oh heavens, yes! are there problems during these events…YES! Have we cancelled ANY of them…NO! Help me understand, PLEASE!

Oh, by the way were there any movies being shown at Harkins that night. Also, weren’t there a couple of graduation ceremonies going on at the Cox Center? I guess it’s impossible to think that the shootings could have been a result of any of those events.

Perhaps a solution could be to set up the scanners and metal detectors in the street on either end of Thunder Alley. Hummmm?

One last thought. I am a season ticket holder, so I have never hung out in Thunder Alley however, my 19 year old son decided to stay in Thunder Alley instead of coming inside. That’s what Thunder Alley means to Oklahoma City Mr. Cornett!

By: Theron

Theron — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:08:27 +0000

Jim’s right Jenni –
Although you “heard” something else, it doesn’t amount to squat.
Great points have been made here.

1. State Fair continues despite its size, faithfully, every year.
2. Politics – this is a game for them, pushing their weight around and pressuring a franchise to cease, is border-line if not corrupt somehow.
3. The Almighty dollar: Businesses have definitely felt a blow, but whine about it, really?
Grow a spine and do something with the extra revenue they have enjoyed from a team that “we” propell.
Get a vendors liscence for a booth outside (Norman did it on campus corner and didn’t cry about it, they adapted FOR Sooner fans), a food coach, be creative or get over it, being in business is about making something out of what customers want, not forcing them to re/enter their establishments because of narrow-minded business approach, or running to the mayor because “you” know him.

Oh…one other thing, why would a franchise want to stop something that was so good??
From a business stand point, it makes ZERO sense, ZERO.
It’s like you saying “man, more people show up each time, and everyone buys lots of FRANCHISE MERCHANDISE, uh, all this success can’t be good….let’s shut it down.”
Please someone tell me how that works, I like to learn things so if I am missing out on something fill me in.

***

Theron:
What I’ve heard is coming from sources. I tend to take my sources fairly seriously.
And while the Thunder no doubt saw the benefit of Thunder Alley, it also saw the potential danger. That shooting could’ve just as easily happened two blocks west of where it did, and it would’ve been right in front of the arena. That’s the kind of thing the team wants to avoid, and it decided the cost of shutting down Thunder Alley to potentially avoid that was more important than the monetary benefits it might reap.
Jenni

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:43:39 +0000

I think there has got to be a way to continue it. Maybe give out tickets to limit how many people can stay? I don’t if that’s possible, but if they can close the street off more, maybe. I don’t know, I’m in tulsa, so was never able to go, but my friends and i had talked about watching a game out there if one fell on a friday or saturday night.

By: David

David — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:40:52 +0000

Finally someone said what we all know. Thanks Kevin – it couldn’t be any more obvious that is the case.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:19:25 +0000

The end of the watch parties in Thunder Alley is not about the shooting, crime, crowds, security, or even the safety of Thunder fans. It is because Bricktown merchants are crying foul that the watch parties are taking away their business o…n what should be their busiest nights. Thousands of fans were outside watching the game for free and not spending money inside their establishments on food, drinks, and whatever else during the Thunder games. Over the course of a lengthy playoff run, you are talking millions of dollars being diverted away from these businesses. The Bricktown Association pressured the city and the Thunder to end the watch parties to allow patrons to support Bricktown merchants with their pocketbooks at the sacrafice of something that was really special for Thunder fans. It’s a shame the watch parties have to end, and it’s a shame the media continues to portray the safety of our fans as the city’s number one concern instead of the truth as to why the watch parties are no longer.

By: NYSooner

NYSooner — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:59:32 +0000

As a transplanted Oklahoman,living in New York for the past 20 years, I am always proudest of my home state when it gets national recognition for any accomplishments. Thunder Alley was a crowning achievement of the support the city shows for its one big league team. I could not have been prouder of the shots TNT continued to show, and the awe expressed of the crowd size outside the arena. To me, it was the best thing that happened in game five. Better than beating the Lakers. To see it go away is a real shame, and a total overreaction by the city. If the Thunder win the championship, will the even allow a victory celebration. That is all Thunder Alley is. Prepare for it, control it, and let the great city of OKC show off its pride and support. Just a total shame to see it go.

By: Bill Plummer

Bill Plummer — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:11:21 +0000

Thunder Alley had gotten out of hand and who knows how many people were there just to drink beer, party and didn’t care about the basketball. Thunder Alley was a good idea at first, but as the games continued the crowds increased and people were concerned something would happen. Unfortunately, it did. Better controls and a workable plan need to be in place for something like Thunder Alley to suceed.

By: vicki

vicki — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:23:56 +0000

I like the idea above of limiting the crowd/wrist bands. You could even charge something, like $5. I’m sure a lot of people would be willing to pay that to be there, and most likely the thugs that caused this whole issue would not have.

By: susan

susan — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:20:52 +0000

I’m sad to see the watch party go. I was hoping they would come up with an alternative such as limiting the number of people allowed in. It had become such a source of pride for our city on the national stage. I can’t help but wonder if this will effect the overall support of the Thunder. That was an option for people who could not go to the game or have no way of watching it on TV to feel apart of something. Yes you have radio but that in no way compares to seeing Westbrook make the big shot while being fouled or seeing Durant make the buzzer beater game winning shot.

By: Jim Moore

Jim Moore — Fri, 25 May 2012 01:19:30 +0000

Jenni, while the team made the final decision, the Mayor was out in front of the “the watch party must change” from the very first. That he made his position public had to put a lot of pressure on the team to respond as they did.
Thank you for your response.

***

Jim:
From what I’m hearing, the team was already thinking it might have to change well before Mayor Mick’s statement.
Jenni