Love Shack, baby
Naming rights to Oklahoma City’s downtown arena are now up for grabs. No doubt, people soon will be suggesting nicknames for the building.
Upon the team’s arrival two years ago, Thunder ownership had the power to renegotiate or terminate the original naming rights contract to the Ford Center, which was an $8.1 million deal for 15 years with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers. New naming rights are expected to be worth considerably more, given the high-profile impact the Thunder has had locally and throughout the NBA.
Which company will become the arena’s new namesake? The most logical candidates could be tied to Thunder ownership: Chesapeake Energy (Aubrey McClendon), SandRidge Energy (Tom Ward), MidFirst Bank (Jeffrey Records) and American Fidelity Assurance (William Cameron).
There is no rule against NBA ownership putting its company name on its home arena. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is chairman and founder of Quicken Loans, which adorns the Cavs’ home arena. Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos is co-founder of Amway, and the new Amway Center will become the team’s home this season.
Other local possibilities for the Thunder’s arena include Sonic and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores. The Sonic name might be too awkward for the owners’ taste, given the franchise was called the Sonics while in Seattle.
Whatever the new arena name becomes, nicknames inevitably will follow. Love’s Country Stores could bring the Love Shack (or Love’s Shack), with an already established theme song compliments of the B-52′s.
If Dell Corp. or an Internet company secured naming rights, the arena could become “The Web,” which figures to make the ”Durantula” (All-Star forward Kevin Durant) feel right at home.
Keep in mind, the arena might not have a local flavor. The namesake could just as easily be a company like Walmart, Coca-Cola, General Electric, ConocoPhillips, Nike, Under Armour, an insurance or investment group, whoever.
“Thunderdome” would fit nicely if the company would be willing to call it that. Then again, why pay millions for naming rights if your name is not on the building?
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love the idea of Love Shack, actually.. BUT.. Thunderdome is just too perfect and awesome not to use it.. whatever company buys it, i hope they also use that term.. (ie: The Pepsi Thunderdome)