i dbug, (10/19/2009 9:56:05 AM)

REALLY? I am SHOCK!

iflyfast, At an airport somewhere in the Tulsa area (10/19/2009 9:57:27 AM)

In other news.....Vegas just set the over/under for number of years the team will be here at 2.

Ryanoceros, Tulsa (10/19/2009 9:57:52 AM)

There is a WNBA?

Arbythree, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:01:21 AM)

Seems like a lot iflyfast.

iflyfast, At an airport somewhere in the Tulsa area (10/19/2009 10:02:56 AM)

1 to get the inaugural season and get fake warm and fuzzies for the owners, 2 to have reality hit is what I heard.

Oilsooner, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:04:16 AM)

When can we get discussions going to get an NFL franchise??

SS_Hippy, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:06:30 AM)

This is great news!

SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (10/19/2009 10:08:10 AM)

WNBA is better than NBA. At least the women aren't acting "gangsta". Buncha thugs in the NBA. Collegiate team sports are better than pro sports anyways. More exciting.

Arbythree, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:10:40 AM)

NFL is after the Olympics Oilsooner.

TWpostersRposers, (10/19/2009 10:10:51 AM)

Oilsooner, if we all support the team by attending at least one of the 17 or so home games, and we show other leagues we are capable of supporting a sports team, then maybe we can get into discussions with the NFL.

I'm not a huge WNBA fan, but I look at this as an opportunity to get more sports in Tulsa if we can show our support. I am going to attend at least one game.

Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:12:06 AM)

I agree with SoonerDJ, college sports are where its at! I can't stand the NBA or WNBA, but hey, I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to hear this, so I hope it works out.

sivart, bixby (10/19/2009 10:14:43 AM)

The WNBA also doesn't have to deal as much with having ILLEGIMATE children. Women can't play basketball while pregnant, can they?

sivart, bixby (10/19/2009 10:15:49 AM)

correction...."illegitimate"

Nim, Jenks (10/19/2009 10:18:42 AM)

All sports team fans are idiots.

Groove Monster, San Antonio (10/19/2009 10:24:56 AM)

We have the WNBA here in San Antonio, but they are so looked down upon because everyone loves the Spurs, and there's just no room for a second team in their hearts. When I move to Tulsa, I will probably try to take my girls to some of the WNBA games, just so they can see that option is available.

As for the NFL... San Antonio has been working on getting a pro team for years. The NFL has made is clear that San Antonio (pop. 2,031,445 based on the 2008 U.S. Census) is too small a market to host a team. Plus the people here are big Cowboys fans, and Jerry Jones has managed to keep the league looking elsewhere so he doesn't lose this market.

Mar, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:28:46 AM)

Ah contra-re, never underestimate Tulsa. :)

Am I just weird or do other find this odd? "...The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Monday because he was not authorized to make the announcement. ..."

I've noticed anymore almost all news articles have the above statement. My question is if the person is not authorized to make the statement, then why are they making the statement? Looks like the person would get fired. I find it strange

Mar, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:30:17 AM)

Nims comment is funny considering he lives in Jenks, the town where people live Jenk's Trojans football. ha ha

Willard_Roker, (10/19/2009 10:35:36 AM)

TWpostersRposers is right the best chance Oklahoma has for getting a NFL franchise is for both the Thunder and Tulsa's WNBA team to be successful. It will take both of them because where NBA areanas tend to seat 20,000 or less where NFL teams need to seat 50,000+.

We need to show we can fill a lot of seats.

The ORIGINAL Adman, (10/19/2009 10:39:15 AM)

I'm fine with the WNBA coming to town. Not sure I'll be at any games, but I am kind of getting tired of OKC folks trying to shove the worthless kind of pro bball in our faces.

Sure, I'm glad the state has an NBA team and for the first time in 20 years, I actually watch some NBA games on TV thanks to the Thunder. I think OKC earned their franchise the right way, too.

But, they give us one game a year, not even a real game, and then act like we're clueless at the game because there's little crowd noise.

It's tough to get up for a team where they demand our interest but deny access.

Heck, give us one home game in the fall and one in the spring. That's all. We don't need to share the team. If they want to act like Tulsa is a suburb of OKC, at least throw us a bone twice a year.

Instead of that, they come in and buy the 66ers, which is fine (it's a good idea for Tulsa's and OKC's bball teams be connected like that) and then their good ol' boy system says, "Hey, we are not gonna give you a real game for the REAL team, BUT, we will bring you a WNBA team! C'mon, watch pro bball, it's FAN-tastic!"

I hope the WNBA works. I really do. To me, it looks like the WNBA wants it to work here because if we are getting a really successful team in the Shock. Plus, they are leaving a strong bball market with popular people engaged with the franchise.

The WNBA may be looking at a model of fringe markets to gain success. I dunno. We are certainly one of those.

I think Tulsa is the ultimate "bachelor" like city. No, not FOR single guys, we ARE the single guy. We're too fickle to get married to a franchise or a team because commitment is too difficult. We are great hosts and we like to date the pretty girls who come to town every few years like the smokin' Hot PGA tourneys or the girl next door bball tourneys. Just don't ask us to marry anyone because we may not support it. Of course, we can support the low maintenance kinda gall who is always there and we always take for granted (Drillers, Talons) and then, when they threaten to leave us, we give them a lot of attention until they are satisfied and then we go back to looking for the next hot chick coming to town.

Daven, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:40:51 AM)

Great news!! Cant wait to go to a game!

FaithnHim, Crested Butte, (10/19/2009 10:43:59 AM)

Great news! I hope to be able to attend a few of the games. Should be a whole lotta fun!

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 10:45:39 AM)

This is great news unless you are a Detroit fan who is losing a team. It's a sad day in Detroit. My condolensces to Shock fans and season ticket holders. I'll do my part to make sure we take good care of them.

Welcome to your new home Shock. I think you'll like it once you get here.

Thank you Bill Cameron, David Box and investors for making this possible!

C.R. Delough, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:48:21 AM)

Nim must be a sports fan, otherwise why is he/she/it here? Welcome Nim! And congratulations on your emergence!

/just point that thing toward your favorite WNBA player Nim!

Tulsa Kayaker, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:49:13 AM)

All the naysayers are an ingnorant bunch.

edelweiss, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:53:10 AM)

Great news for Tulsa!!! Me and my family look forward to attending some games! Thank you to those that made this happen. Tulsa is on the move again!!! YeeHaw!

Cooldaddy, Broken Arrow (10/19/2009 11:07:49 AM)

Does that mean the name of the team will be the Tulsa Shock? Sounds a tad corny.

C.R. Delough, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:09:35 AM)

:::throws a shocker to the crowd:::

/that'll work :-)

Ryanoceros, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:19:42 AM)

Yeah, what will the new name be?

Galadriel, Valinor (10/19/2009 11:23:25 AM)

Investors are going to lose their (backside) on this stupid move (rest of frank speaking comment intentionally deleted by poster)

the original Ace, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:29:18 AM)

I hope the franchise is successful here. I love Tulsa and am excited about the downtown development, however I think the team will be hard pressed to get 8,000 fans to attend the games. I hope they do, but I don't think it will happen.

sctsports77, (10/19/2009 11:29:31 AM)

I vote for either the Tulsa Lightning, or the Tulsa Flyers.

seymore1965, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:32:34 AM)

I can't wait for the WNBA in Tulsa. This is definitely a change for the better in Tulsa and Oklahoma. OKC has the NBA, so Tulsa can't have that. And there was every negative comment about the BOK Center before it opened. Now just see how glorious it's success has blossomed. The success made liars and know nothings out of all the negative commenters. Something I already knew. Just remember this: it's about time.

StringerBell, (10/19/2009 11:54:43 AM)

2020 is a lock now. I heard the IOC told Tulsa if we got a WNBA team, then the Olympics is ours. We hit the big time!!!! Not a minor league town anymore!

GoldenDriller1, Out of Town (10/19/2009 12:00:50 PM)

The WNBA is going bankrupt and we want that in Tulsa??????

DowntownDan, Tulsa (10/19/2009 12:05:33 PM)

I'm all for progress in Tulsa, but this is a bad idea. If 8,000 fans a game in Detroit is considered bad, how many fans a game do they expect in Tulsa? The Oilers and Talons don't even pull that in. And yes, I know that WNBA is technically not a minor league team, but it essentially is since the NBA is the top dog in the game of basketball. I don't expect that being the "major leagues" of womens basketball will draw in any additional fans. I trully do hope that I'm wrong though and the franchise thrives.

The_Educator, Jenks (10/19/2009 12:07:04 PM)

This will fold in a two short years. We had Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat in town a week ago and the crowd looked like a YMCA weekend basketball game (granted TU v.Boise was the same night). How in the world do they think Tulsa can fund this?

DowntownDan, Tulsa (10/19/2009 12:07:50 PM)

Does anyone get the feeling that these OKC business people are setting Tulsa up for failure? I mean what interest do they have in having a WNBA team in Tulsa and not OKC? Am I the only one who gets the feeling that these people are trying to embarass Tulsa by having a franchise that is assured to fail so they can point up the turnpike and laugh at how they are a "big league" town and we couldn't match it? Or am I paranoid. I guess I just don't see how this will succeed and am suspicious that OKC people are in charge of this.

Ayo, T-Town (10/19/2009 12:09:34 PM)

This site has soooooo many negative posters.

They're the same ones that said the BOK would be a huge failure; wouldn't be able to book big name acts; wouldn't fill the seats. These are the same people who say the ballpark will be a diaster.

My guess is a good portion of you are crodgy old men 40 years past your prime. Men who don't leave the house except to go the bank and the grocery store.

I say, Heck yeah!! Welcome WNBA! I'll go to the games. I love basketball a 100 times more than I do football. Basketball moves; basketball is fast paced; basketball is awesome. Bring it on.

Just one more thing besides the new ballpark for me to look forward to having that is walking distance from home.

sctsports77, (10/19/2009 12:12:31 PM)

One of the primary investors grew up in Tahlequah, went to high school in Tulsa at Holland Hall.

DowntownDan, Tulsa (10/19/2009 12:16:39 PM)

Ayo,

I am not a naysayer. I supported the BOK 100% and I am the first to call those out who said it wouldn't suceed.

But this has nothing to do with the BOK Center. It has to do with the fact that the WNBA just isn't a popular sport. If this team is leaving Detroit for attendance of 8,000, I just don't see how Tulsa will pull in more fans than that each and every game. I just don't see how this can succeed. Again, i truly hope I'm wrong and I will the the first to admit it.

beau3985, Tulsa (10/19/2009 12:52:34 PM)

Ayo,

I'm all for the BOK center, it brought in 4x its projected revenue and I think the ballpark will do just as well.

But the WNBA?? C'mon. Even you have to admit that the WNBA is just kinda meh.

The ORIGINAL Adman, (10/19/2009 1:05:21 PM)

I don't think you are a naysayer just because you question the potential success of a franchise in a league that is floundering.

Count me as a person who is glad Tulsa is getting a look, but like I said earlier, it seems OKC is forcing a lot of pro bball on us.

If Tulsa is going to succeed at a tier 1 pro league, it would be soccer. But I hope I'm wrong. I hope the WNBA works here.

DowntownDan, Tulsa (10/19/2009 1:10:11 PM)

I would prefer we get try and jump the Drillers up to Triple A status when they move to the new stadium. It would be a great fit and a natural rivalry with OKC.

Ayo, T-Town (10/19/2009 1:11:56 PM)

I apologize, DowntownDan. I know from previous posts that you support things going on downtown. beau, I don't know. ?? Let's hope it works out. I'll go to some of the games since I like basketball. I'm excited and looking forward to attending baseball games next year, and I've not attended any at the old field.

I don't know that much about the WNBA, but I'll support this team and attend some of the games. Maybe others will, too.

Ayo, T-Town (10/19/2009 1:13:32 PM)

I would love for the Drillers to jump back to triple A.

BLA, Tulsa (10/19/2009 1:27:06 PM)

Groove Monster, the real reason you don't have an NFL team is the size of the city. The population of San Antonio you mentioned would be larger than Minneapolis/St. Paul, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Kansas City, St. Louis, Charlotte, Nashville, and probably a few more. You did mention the true reason...the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones is much too powerful as an owner to ever let another team into "his" market space. He wasn't happy when the NFL granted Houston the Texans (although Houston is the 4th largest city in America).

As for the WNBA...really Tulsa? You can't even support the sports you do have. TU and ORU routinely struggle to break 6,000 attendance for home basketball games and we're talking NCAA caliber teams (TU did sell out easily when it was a top 25 team every year). Tulsa can't support the Oilers or Talons (and the Talons are the best team in AFL2 history). TU and ORU women's basketball struggle to break the 1,000 mark at games.

Prediction: Tulsa WNBA avg. 6,500 fans season 1 and drops to 4,000 fans season 2 and then folds or relocates to, say, Kansas City.

BettyRubble918, Tulsa (10/19/2009 1:28:18 PM)

Yikes! Fuglies r' us.

BLA, Tulsa (10/19/2009 1:32:43 PM)

Thugnsworth...any city that has an NFL team will be able to sell out the games. NFL will never allow it because Tulsa is too small a TV market currently and NFL rules only allow a certain distance to be covered by a cities TV market. OKC could not be counted (just like Tulsa cannot officially be counted in OKC's). Again, Jerry Jones and the Chiefs owner will never allow a team in Oklahoma as they realize a certain % of their fan bases are located here...which translates into merchandise revenue for them.

Besides, the NFL has 32 teams currently and will not expand further for fear of saturating smaller markets and spreading the wealth too thin. MLB, NBA, NHL need to look at the NFL and its marketing, TV rights, salary caps, etc. and start modeling. It will make those leagues more competitive and more interesting. As a Red Sox fan, I love the fact that they can spend a billion dollars a year and guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs; but honestly, why would anyone in Kansas City, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, etc. care about MLB knowing their hometown team has NO chance of making the playoffs?

IF and when the NFL looks to expand or relocate a team, Los Angeles will get the team. It is an embarrassment to the NFL to not have a team in the 2nd largest media market in the country.

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 2:07:13 PM)

Wow, Betty, rude is really not your color.

Seriously, you must have seen only game shots. Gametime these women are in it to win it. They don't know any other way.

fld11, (10/19/2009 2:09:41 PM)

What another grand waste of taxpayer money! If you don't believe that there were incentives by the city, you're crazy. And....Richardson for a coach. Give me a break! Nobody cares about this kind of amusement in Tulsa, especially in light of the economic blight that the city leaders have thrust us into. Fix the roads, lower water and sewer rates, cut park money, cops, and firemen, and get this city back on track to where people actually want to live here for a change.

Tulsa Life, (10/19/2009 2:11:11 PM)

Downtown Dan - I think your inference that OKC business are trying to sabotage Tulsa is a little absurd. After all there are Tulsa investors in the deal. In addition, do you your research on Bill Cameron and David Box. They are very successful and seasoned businessmen. They aren't going to invest in something if they don't think it will do well..

Tulsa Life, (10/19/2009 2:12:50 PM)

fld11 - You have no idea how taxes or incentives work do you? Please tell me some of these incentives that are costing taxpayers to move them to Tulsa?

red02v, (10/19/2009 2:25:37 PM)

This is great for the city!!


Now, as long as we dont have to sell plasma and take out personal loans to afford tickets!

seymore1965, Tulsa (10/19/2009 3:06:18 PM)

I'm waiting on the Ashley and Courtney Paris to join the team like they said they would. Let people in Norman and OKC find out what it's like to travel to see them play.

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 3:12:21 PM)

Sacramento has the rights to Courtney. But Ashley,....that's another story! How great would that be?! (Of course Courtney will be here when Sacramento Monarchs come to town!)

JG78, Okc (10/19/2009 3:18:23 PM)

Listen. Cameron wants the WNBA in Tulsa because of the arena and the demand. He is a huge womens college b-ball supporter and he wants this to succeed.

Regarding the Thunder playing more games in Tulsa. It will happen.... In time.

You can't expect the leaders in downtown OKC and Bricktown to allow even a couple of home dates to be shipped off to Tulsa. It maybe good for the owners because they will still make money. However, that is one less night of full restauraunts in Bricktown and they count on that revenue during the winter months.

In time, you will see some regular season games in Tulsa. Shipping the games to T-Town now would be a huge slap in the face to the Taxpayers of OKC who are footing the bill for the 120 million dollar renovation to the Ford Center.

Be patient...

As far as the preseason game occuring the same night as Boise, that was unintended. This paper is aware of that but has chosen not to report it. The Thunder booked the date at the BOK back in June and ESPN didn't option the Boise St game on Wednesday until late August. At that point, both sides had no choice.

Your paper should report that instead of acting like it was intentional.

Your paper should cover the Thunder and help drive support from Tulsa for the team, so the owners will be compelled to bring games here asap.

Octavio, (10/19/2009 3:29:54 PM)

Fine, as long as the taxpayers don't have to foot the bill.

hawkdaddy, (10/19/2009 3:46:28 PM)

Win, lose or draw it never hurts to try. I can't stand the WNBA but who am I to stand in the way of progress. I wish them well although I will probably never attend a game.

hoopdreams, (10/19/2009 4:06:15 PM)

two things, 1) the Thunder will not play any regular season games in Tulsa, (league rule). 2) another 3 time WNBA championship team moving is not a good thing. First Houston folded, now the Detroit Shock moving. I don't know folks, sounds fishy to me....

nuffsaid, Tulsa (10/19/2009 4:11:19 PM)

crickets, crickets....

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 4:16:53 PM)

@ hoopdreams

What's fishy about it? Do you really think the economic climate in Detroit hasn't been severely effected by the year's events? This move is a result of economics. It is not an indicator of the league's viability. The Pistons and Lions aren't selling the tickets they used to either.

marlin, (10/19/2009 4:31:49 PM)

I'm not kidding, just went to the Detroit Shock website and they had their picture of the year showing.
Yes, it was Obama.....he won their picture of the year. He sure gets around.....lol

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 4:55:56 PM)

Every championship team gets a trip to the white house for a photo-op with the president. This happens every year, with every pres. It goes along with winning all the marbles, which they did, last year. Nothing out of the ordinary about the pic.

Source_Code, (10/19/2009 5:09:21 PM)

Wow,well, even though I'm still not sold on the WNBA yet, at least Tulsa did get one of the top teams in the league. Were it not for injuries to Katie Smith and a couple of their other role players, this team probably would have won the championship again. Coming to town is Deanna Nolan, considered by some, the WNBA's best one-on-one player!

edelweiss, Tulsa (10/19/2009 5:27:31 PM)

Maybe we can have both: a WNBA team AND a triple A baseball team. Come on constant naysayers, think beyond your rock.

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 5:53:22 PM)

@ source_code
Nolan is phenomenal. I've seen her play, and if you like the speed of OU's Danielle Robinson, you'll LOVE Nolan. She doesn't just have speed, the woman has serious hops. She can elevate like no one's business.

Karl Malone's daughter, Cheryl Ford is on the team as well. She's battling injuries, but if she can get past that, she's also a very serious contender.

This team is stacked top to bottom.

This team and Richardson may very well get the confetti falling at the BOK.

Very exciting times ahead!

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/19/2009 6:22:40 PM)

HA! Yes leave the fans in Detroit. But great news for Tulsa adn the state. The payroll taxes will be great for the state. And hopefully th eteam is a big local spender helping the Tulsa's sales tax reciepts.

Non-BUBBA, Tulsa (10/19/2009 6:34:50 PM)

Look forward to not seeing you naysayers at the games!! I'll be enjoying major league sports, in a major league venue that you said wouldn't work. So stay home and figure out something else to not like, like the downtown baseball stadium. I look forward to not seeing you there too!!!!

Nim, Jenks (10/19/2009 7:02:28 PM)

Lovely picture...........

Big Doug, (10/19/2009 7:20:29 PM)

I doubt I'll go to a game, even with free tickets. It will be a tough sell in Tulsa. We finally get a pro team and its WNBA. Great.

Mich098, Tulsa (10/19/2009 7:37:55 PM)

Right in the heart of male chauvinist country! Will be interesting to see how it works out. It would certainly be another giant step for Tulsa from village to respected city!

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/19/2009 7:43:28 PM)

It will be interesting to see what if any supporting bussness's will come to Tulsa because of the WNBA'a presence.

Langston Lions, (10/19/2009 9:33:38 PM)

2 Seasons Tops and their gone. Once the players see how redneck backwards Oklahoma is none of them will want to be there... An investment wasted LOL!

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/19/2009 9:46:11 PM)

I must give a huge salute to Detroit. That was brilliant dumping the team off on Tulsa. Mark my words, this team will be asking for financial help from the Tulsa taxpayers, once they see they will only be selling 20 tickets a game.
I thought the Detroit city hall leadership were dummies, and this dump-off was very, very smart.

RDMiller, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:09:05 PM)

WNBA is an 'also ran' / last of the pack and fail in every market they are in! Turn off the lights baby....it's a waste of electricity!

seymore1965, Tulsa (10/19/2009 10:31:42 PM)

Someone eplain to me why I should dislike the WNBA. I guess I'm missing that part. Either you will convince me, or I will think you're not all there.

RDMiller, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:15:15 PM)

There is NOT a reason to dislike the WBNA! If you are a fan that's great! The point is that most 'all' the WBNA franchises have fought a big time battle in marketing to the point that attendance is dismal, money is abysmal for the players, and in the end you have teams like the above making the move from Detroit to Tulsa. Quoting the 'World' According to womensbasketballonline, the Shock averaged 8,004 in attendance in 2009 — a decline of about 1,500 from 2008. The franchise was fifth in the 13-team league in attendance in 2009.

Many Tulsans may treat their games like the Tulsa State Fair...they'll go once but probably not again. I suspect they will fare no better here than in Detroit. I hope they do, but doubt they will!

cgascoupe, Phoenix (10/19/2009 11:27:22 PM)

I've never seen so many negative comments from sports "fans." You Tulsans should be ashamed of yourselves. Rejoice! The Detroit Shock is one of the class franchises in the WNBA. The women's game is very entertaining and exciting. Did any of you see any of the Mercury/Fever finals recently? If so then you know what I'm talking about. Our Mercury will will enjoy coming to Tulsa and playing at the BOK Center. While it's a sad day for Detroit, it's a great day for Tulsa and your families; especially those with young daughters. SUPPORT THEM! You won't regret it.

quester, Tulsa Area (10/19/2009 11:43:29 PM)

Thank you cgascoupe! You're right. The team we're getting is one of the premiere teams in the league. What a rarity to be able to start in the league with so much talent. If not for the present economic state in Michigan, I think we'd be starting out like all other franchises, seeing several dismal seasons before having any kind of shot at all at the playoffs. This is by no means a guarantee of playoff contention, but it is one heck of a start. Looking forward to next season, and of course a visit from this year's champion Mercury. Thank you for your support.

Mich098, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:48:42 PM)

Gee, I just read the article on the gay bashing and now I turn to this one to see the woman bashing!

You people want only someone just like you--and that is definitely not good...

edelweiss, Tulsa (10/19/2009 11:54:25 PM)

Welcome to Tulsa, WNBA! We're glad you're going to be part of our community!!! GOOOOOO TULSA!

Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (10/20/2009 7:40:20 AM)

No pro women's basketball team could expect to draw 10,000 a game in Tulsa, period (5,000,tops), so team will fold. League is about to topple, reality. If you enjoy watching women's b-ball locally, go support TU!

Daven, Tulsa (10/20/2009 7:49:47 AM)

Cant wait to take my daughter to a game!

Steff M, Claremore (10/20/2009 8:07:53 AM)

You and the other 7 people who like to pay to watch paint dry. Do you and your daughter watch all the televised games? Be honest. I doubt you do because there's only what, one a week being broadcast. Do you know why that is? Because it's not entertaining. It's a joke sport and now the joke's on Tulsa.

Tulsa Kayaker, Tulsa (10/20/2009 8:15:36 AM)

Wow, Steff M, do you think the women of the WNBA should stay home and knit?

It must be hard for you to believe people could actually be fans of womens sport.

BigOkie, (10/20/2009 8:44:10 AM)

What's Claremore known for anyway, aside from being a 2nd rate suburb of Tulsa...

Don't like it? Don't go. I may or may not go, but anything that puts butts in the seats at the BOK is a plus for Tulsa.

TWpostersRposers, (10/20/2009 8:44:49 AM)

Not sure why there is such vitriol being spewed in recent days about the WNBA coming here. Private investment, no taxpayer dollars. What's the problem? It must be jealousy or frustration that a women's team instead of a men's team is coming to Tulsa.

I too would prefer a men's sports team come to Tulsa, but I think this is an opportunity to lay the foundation for a men's sports team to come to Tulsa in the future. Why *would* a major men's professional team come to Tulsa? We certainly have yet to prove we are worthy of a men's major league team of any sport. We simply don't deserve one.

I don't expect everyone to like the WNBA, but I don't understand why many people seem to want it to fail. If this does fail, it will reflect poorly on the league, not Tulsa. But if the WNBA does do well in Tulsa, sports team owners looking to move will take notice.

justafan, (10/20/2009 8:44:51 AM)

Steff. I'll tell you what. You can stay home and not go. But think about it a little now. Why is it that you care if someone else wants to go and enjoy it. Is there something in your life going on we need to know about. Some insecurity of some kind? Let it out. Maybe we can help

luvnlife, (10/20/2009 8:47:46 AM)

Seats are hardly filled at the 66ers games..Oilers games and Drillers games too but it's still good to have these sports in town. Everyone will be surprised at the attendance this summer for the WNBA. They don't havet to compete with other "professional" basketball and football teams like they did in Detroit. Like Big Okie said: Don't like it, don't go! I"ll be there with my daughter too Daven!

Navin Johnson, Tulsa (10/20/2009 8:50:55 AM)

This will last 2 maybe 3 seasons at best before it falls apart. The league itself is on life-support, propped up by the NBA. It isn't going to last.

It's great for the BOK Center, they're going to make money no matter what. And it's great for downtown vendors, who will have some foot traffic during the summer. But as far what it does for Tulsa as a whole... not much. The league isn't taken seriously across the country and its has too much competition. It won't succeed long term.

SoonerStorm, Tulsa (10/20/2009 8:53:18 AM)

If I can tolerate Nascar & fishing existing in the sporting world I know I can handle this - the haters need to give it a rest. Welcome to Tulsa ladies!

Have that, America (10/20/2009 9:07:03 AM)

haha...what a joke.

I still cant believe there is a WNBA...I thought it died out when the XFL did.

TtownTimmy, (10/20/2009 9:15:12 AM)

I can't believe there are so many comments on this article. I bet 99 percent of Tulsans can't name five players in the WNBA or who won their recent league championship. It's a small women's professional basketball league with limited national following except in the cities where teams are located. It's a nice deal for Tulsa but it isn't going to "put Tulsa on the professional sports map" as they will say at their presser today. I don't have any issue with it. I won't go nor will I follow it, but for those that want to, just like Talon and Driller fans, go for it.

tulsandn, out in the woods (10/20/2009 9:27:28 AM)

WELCOME WNBA !!!!

It's great that the team is already a solid playoff team....

The women of the WNBA will SHOCK Tulsa with their class, dignity & education, they will do more than just play basketball, they will improve this town to those that choose to be improved....

For all those that want to remain in the dark, that's fine....

Tulsa Kayaker, Tulsa (10/20/2009 9:33:36 AM)

Reasons why people like failure: According to Associated Content -

The first and most obvious reason is that they are jealous.

The second reason is that your success often makes them look bad.

The third reason is that they might not think you are deserving of success, for whatever reason.

The fourth and final reason is familiarity. They say it breeds contempt, and this is especially true for someone who has achieved a certain level of success.
Haters, where do you fall?

rocklaholic, Owasso (10/20/2009 9:59:09 AM)

So the team averaged 8,000 people per game, and it wasn't enough, so they are moving. Do they honestly believe they are going to average 8,000 people in Tulsa? Maybe the first game. This is a ridiculous idea.

FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (10/20/2009 10:07:06 AM)

Dumber than $h*t

Steff M, Claremore (10/20/2009 10:27:12 AM)

OOOOOH. Big(Dumb)Okie put down my town. I'll take no crime and less traffic any day over what you have. And Kayaker, there's also cooking and raising kids, among other things. People that are for this are more than likely the same people who think little Jenny should be able to play football and baseball with the boys. They tried to shove it down people's throats and it didn't work but David Stern can't admit it so they keep on fighting a losing battle. They did the same thing with NASCAR and it worked (unfortunately), but America has said no to the WNBA, yet some wanna-be sports franchise owners can't give it a rest. It makes Tulsa look bad and will make them look even worse when they stop propping it up and allow it to die.

wk, (10/20/2009 10:37:41 AM)

The Detroit paper indicates that they just realized they had a WNBA franchise and now they're losing it. It's funny because Michigan, even Michigan, is making fun of us now.

Matt, (10/20/2009 10:44:55 AM)

Free Dez!

BigOkie, (10/20/2009 10:49:02 AM)

Hey Steff, I'm guessing you like whittling sticks on your porch and spittin' in the tobaccy spittoon as well?

Harhar...

Tulsa Kayaker, Tulsa (10/20/2009 10:49:36 AM)

wk, really, Michigan is laughing because they are losing even more jobs, more revenue, and a professional sports team?

I bet they think it's hilarious. Michigan hasn't felt the recession at all...nope, they love this!

Few Clothes, America (10/20/2009 11:03:56 AM)

What are you smoking StringerBell?

Steff M, Claremore (10/20/2009 11:08:29 AM)

Coming from a guy with the name "BigOkie", that comment is hilarious and maybe self-descriptive as well.

lucky girl, mine (10/20/2009 11:11:16 AM)

I don't think that this will last

quester, Tulsa Area (10/20/2009 11:22:23 AM)

wk, not sure what you were reading, because all I've read is a multitude of write-ups and posts covering how devastated the Shock season ticket holders are over this news.

They found out from the same AP news story we did. They had already made deposits on 2010 tickets. They then found themselves having to explain the unexplainable to inconsolable children who idolized this team. They didn't idolize them just because they could play basketball. They idolized them because they took time for them, held events for them, visited their schools, talked to them, gave them a hug if they wanted one, .... They idolized them because they were their friends.

Steff, nobody is saying little Jenny should play football with the boys. But it sure doesn't make sense that anyone would have a problem with her playing basketball with the girls. Maybe even one day be very, very good at it. Maybe even one day be good enough to be the one on the college team, the pro team, the olympic team.... Maybe Jenny lives in Claremore right now... and no one even knows it...yet.

Ty-Luxem, (10/20/2009 12:00:20 PM)

This is great!!! Where can I sign up for season tickets?

tulsandn, out in the woods (10/20/2009 12:20:16 PM)

Is Steff M a woman or a is it like a boy named Sue or a tennis player named Dr. Richards????

If Steff m is a woman it's strange she hates on them so much, maybe a former disgruntled alternative lifestyle woman????

If Steff m is a man from Claremore then all the hate makes sense....

Steff M, Claremore (10/20/2009 12:29:07 PM)

Hate? I don't see any hate in my comments. Just an opinion that the WNBA sucks and is a bad move for Tulsa. The girl references are hilarious by the way. How about I make fun of you being an Indian? No, that would be too low. And quester you are right about everything except the pros because it doesn't work as we have seen.

cgascoupe, Phoenix (10/20/2009 12:48:40 PM)

Ty-Luxem, that's the spirit! Get out your plastic. In response to several posts, downtown Phoenix is a happenin' place when the Mercury are at home at the U.S. Airways Center. They sell 8-9,000 tickets for their games. They sold the place out when they won the WNBA championship, but they don't need to do that regularly. Look at the league's pay scale. 100K is a big time salary. This ain't the NBA salary scale folks. Buy a 17 home game season ticket package and by the end of the season I promise you you'll be hooked. I'll root for the Tulsa (my original home town) team in every game - except when they play the Mercury. Congratulations Tulsa.

moon, shine (10/20/2009 3:21:49 PM)

How bout watching a rousing game of tennis or bowling? Golf really gets me out of my chair, too. The shock is welcome.

moon, shine (10/20/2009 3:22:36 PM)

sr.. your an a hole.

moon, shine (10/20/2009 3:23:17 PM)

your= your'e

moon, shine (10/20/2009 3:54:10 PM)

Climbing on the bodies of the still warm dead...gimme a break. Mich. wouldn't have you.

Alfred K. Woods, (10/20/2009 4:39:16 PM)

This whole thing boils down to a couple of simple facts: WNBA is crummy basketball, and everyone nationwide that sees this will be reaffirmed in their belief that Tulsa is second rate to most other places in the US (except apparently Detroit.. whoopdie doo). I definitely do NOT believe that this is true, but we are viewed nationwide as a hick, bass-ackward city (and state) with very little respect. The WNBA will not fix that image. Miley Cyrus and Billy Joel coming through town did more to demonstrate Tulsa as an eclectic and modern city than the WNBA can hope to achieve. I will go on record as stating that I hope the Tulsa WNBA franchise succeeds. But, I will also go on record as stating that I do not believe the Tulsa WNBA franchise will succeed. If I am proven wrong, then all the better for the city.

Public dollars aren't being expended to bring the team to Tulsa - which is the only crumb of good news in this whole boondoggle. To those who argue that taxpayers will foot the bill of police and security at the BOK Center for WNBA games.. try and be intelectually honest. You may be technically accurate, BUT if there wasn't a WNBA game going on some other event would likely be taking place that would require the same police and security presence. BOK Center management isn't going to let the facility sit empty any more than absolutely necessary. So, everybody, let's be honest with the arguments as a whole. Our new, shiny WNBA team may or may not be a boon to the city, but I we all need to recognize that Tulsa isn't going to suddenly be a nationally respected locality until we have 1.5-2 Million in the MSA, our roads are at least up to par with other metro areas, and our local leaders get over the Good 'Ole Boy mentality we've been plagued with for more than 25 years.

nuffsaid, Tulsa (10/20/2009 4:41:25 PM)

Snore.......................

Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (10/21/2009 4:40:37 AM)

Alfred K Woods just brought a tear to my eye- I couldn't have said it better.

oilershockey, tulsa (10/21/2009 7:04:05 PM)

This is the biggest joke in Tulsa in lets see forever. If I wanted to see a lot of lesbians playing basketball I would just go to a female jail. The bright side maybe I can pick up that three way that I've always wanted. There are three pro teams in Tulsa one being the Talons, Oilers, and the Drillers.

snoop, Tulsa (10/22/2009 9:45:35 AM)

Tulsa World start an over under pool on the length the their stay. It will be short, the ONLY reason there is a WNBA is the financial support the receive frm the NBA.

If they won championships in Detroit, I have to ask why didn't the fans support the team there?