Tulsa World: Benefits may come Tulsa's way

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Benefits may come Tulsa's way

Owner Clay Bennett (left) has said the NBA team “will play in Tulsa,” while Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett has estimated that “10 to 20 percent” of game tickets could be purchased by Tulsans. BRYAN TERRY/The Associated Press/The Oklahoman

By GUERIN EMIG and P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writers
Published: 7/4/2008 2:09 AM
Last Modified: 7/4/2008 3:17 AM

NBA's "state franchise" rooted in support from city.

So the NBA, in the form of the former Seattle SuperSonics franchise, is coming to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season. What does that mean for Tulsa?

Possibilities. Lots of them.

Just not many certainties.

"We want to make this Oklahoma's team," team owner Clay Bennett said in announcing the relocation Wednesday night. "This is a team that's going to play in Tulsa."

As to specifics, BOK Center general manager John Bolton said Thursday there has been no discussion with Bennett, but he understands that there is a strong interest to have Tulsa host an exhibition game annually or every two years.

"It would be great to have it," he said. "It would add to the BOK Center (another) sports programming event."

Tulsa's new downtown arena has already booked the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic for a preseason game Oct. 13.

Whether or not the Oklahoma City NBA team comes to town will depend on discussions sure to be forthcoming; Bolton said the day after the relocation announcement wasn't a realistic time to determine firm plans.

Expect Tulsa civic leaders to become involved when that time comes.

"Even though the team will be based in Oklahoma City, I will continue to talk with Clay about how we might work together to showcase the team in Tulsa as well," mayor Kathy Taylor said in a statement Thursday.

If Tulsans are unsure when they'll see Bennett's team, they're almost certain to hear his sales pitch, in the form of season ticket brochures or corporate sponsorship negotiations.

"I anticipate Clay Bennett being very aggressive to make sure his team succeeds," said Tulsa 66ers president Jim Brylewski, whose NBA Developmental League team aligned with the Sonics last month. "I'm sure he will promote it regionally."

That's the expectation of NBA commissioner David Stern, who saw the potential for a statewide market when Oklahoma City hosted the New Orleans Hornets franchise from 2005-07 in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

That potential was validated last March when Taylor helped present the team's potential new home to the NBA's relocation committee.

And when the NBA Board of Governors voted to approve the Sonics' relocation last April, Stern called Bennett's team a "state franchise."

Since then, Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett has estimated that "10 to 20 percent" of game tickets could be purchased by Tulsans.

Perhaps that will happen. For now, however, the only place in Tulsa you're sure to hear the pop of champagne corks is at the 66ers' office. After all, it's a little easier to sell an affiliation between Tulsa and Oklahoma City than Tulsa and Seattle.

"For us it's a coup," Brylewski said. "I can't imagine a more positive piece of news."

Guerin Emig 581-8355 guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lasek@tulsaworld.com

By GUERIN EMIG and P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writers

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