So long, Ford Center; Hello Thunderdome?
Get out your checkbook. The naming rights for the arena the Oklahoma City Thunder plays in are officially for sale.
The Thunder sent out a brief press release this afternoon to announce the Ford Center has become an arena to be re-named later. The team terminated the naming rights of the Oklahoma Ford Dealers after negotiations broke off.
Thus begins a “period of negotiations with other potential partners” during which the Thunder won’t be talking about naming rights. But that shouldn’t stop us.
If it’s not the Ford Center anymore, what should we call this place, at least for the time being? Wouldn’t it be cool to just call it the Thunderdome and be done with it?
The text of the Thunder’s announcement is below, and while you’re reading it, just think of how much extra it’s going to cost to take down all those Ford Center signs and put up new ones. Those yellow Ford Center golf shirts the ushers/security folks wore are coming soon to a consignment shop near you.
THUNDER BEGINS DISCUSSION OF NEW NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER FOR ARENA
Thursday, August 26, 2010- The Oklahoma City Thunder has begun the process of negotiating with potential new naming rights partners for the Ford Center arena, team officials announced today.
The original naming rights contract allowed the team to terminate the existing agreement should an NBA franchise come to Oklahoma City.
The Thunder entered into discussions with the current naming rights partner, the Oklahoma Ford Dealers, but a new agreement could not be reached. As a result, the Thunder has now officially terminated the existing naming rights agreement and entered into a period of negotiations with other potential partners.
Until those negotiations are complete, the team will have no further public comment.
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Comments
Carissa and Jean, They’re not being literal about the name ‘Thunderdome’….The OKC Thunder has the rights (given to them by the city) to sell the naming rights – currently with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers. They will obviously be selling it to another corporation – it’s a HUGE moneymaker in sports these days.
The Devon Center or what company spends the most money-pure
business decision –Mike (not Raven Arena)
There’s lots of fun things you could do with the Devon Energy Center. I’ve also heard the possibility of Sonic Center, which would certainly poor salt in the wounds of our friends in the Great Northwest. …
My good friend John, a Steelers fan born and bred, couldn’t resist taking a shot at the Ravens. … Nice hearing from you, John.
According to articles written at the time, the Ford agreement allowed the team the right to renegotiate and seek out higher offers. They did not have a right to terminate the lease without having another in place. The Ford Dealers group could match any other offers and retain their sponsorship. It was also reported in the Oklahoman that there was a definite time window in which the renaming could occur. The clock started ticking when the team signed the lease with the City/they settled the Seattle case. The window has long since expired.
I’d be shocked if it ends up being Devon Center – goes against the company’s corporate culture – way too “out there.” Sonic Center would surprise me as well – big dollar deal for the company – but I wouldn’t count it out.
whatever company ends up buying the rights (probably either Devon, Chesapeake or Boening), they should definitely use the term Thunderdome.. it’s just too perfect and awesome not to use..
I am so sick and tired of seeing Devon and Chesapake ads on TV and in the games. The Ford Center is ten times better than anything else.
If we named it the Sonic Center, that would just show how po-dunk a city we could be. Keep it classy.
This franchise needs to learn from the other more experienced franchises on how to bring in and KEEP a quality product for the area. But dont push too much for local advertising, we need to be recognized worldwide.
[...] For comparison, The Facility Soon To Be Formerly Known As The Ford Center claims 48 restrooms, 12 of them unisex. I have no idea whether this is #1 in the [...]
It should be named the Thunderdome. Two teams enter one team leaves victorious. Why wouldn’t you want it to be named after the arena in Mad Max?
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Please do not call it the thunderdome just leave it like it is you like the lakers stadium is called the staples center not the lakerdome it just sounds cheesy