In the wake of the resounding support from Oklahoma City voters for the construction of a new downtown arena, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has released an official statement expressing gratitude and acknowledging the deep bond between the Oklahoma City Thunder and its community.
The proposal to build a new downtown arena for the Oklahoma City Thunder received an overwhelming 71% approval from voters. The publicly-owned venue comes with a $900 million price tag, with Thunder ownership contributing $50 million and an additional $70 million coming from the MAPS 4 project.
As part of the arena proposal, the Thunder has committed to signing a 25-year lease, ensuring their presence in the new facility through at least the 2054-55 NBA season. The positive outcome sparked celebrations on social media among Thunder fans, and team owner Clay Bennett released a supportive statement following the election’s result.
Silver Acknowledges the Bond with Fans
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the distinctive connection between the Thunder and their fans in his statement. He praised the approval of the new arena as a testament to this strong bond, emphasizing the team’s success on the court and its deep involvement in the local community.
Expressing gratitude, Silver stated, “We are grateful to the people of Oklahoma City for the confidence they have shown in both the Thunder and the NBA as we embark on a new era of global sports and entertainment.” The commissioner’s words underscore the significance of the vote, ensuring the Thunder’s continued presence in Oklahoma City and solidifying their role in the league’s future.
This announcement marks a pivotal moment for the Thunder, securing their future in Oklahoma City for the next quarter-century and beyond. The league, fans, and the community look forward to the commencement of a new era with the completion of the state-of-the-art downtown arena by the 2029-30 NBA season.
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