How the Oklahoma City Thunder ended up in OKC

By Zachary Baru

The road to bringing an NBA championship to Oklahoma City has been well-deserved, but also a long and confusing turn of events.  It's a story that combines five cities, a sequence of relocations, and one of the worst natural disasters ever in U.S. history.  This is the story of how Oklahoma City became world champions of basketball, and how a series of moves in the league turned a college sports town into one of, if not the loudest arena in the NBA.

It all starts in Seattle.  The Seattle SuperSonics had a dedicated fan base and won the NBA Finals in the 1978-79 season, beating the Washington Bullets.  The team would not win another championship in Seattle, and by the mid-2000's their arena, KeyArena, was showing its age.  At the same time, the Charlotte Hornets became the New Orleans Hornets after the 2001-02 season.  This may not have seemed like it would have anything to do with the Sonics, but no one could have expected the magnitude of destruction that the city of New Orleans would endure during Hurricane Katrina on August 23, 2005.  After three seasons in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina would force the Hornets to temporarily move to Oklahoma City.  The Hornets would be known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, and the team would mostly remain in OKC for two seasons.  

As if the situation could not be any more confusing, the team would mostly remain in OKC for two seasons because even though the Hornets would move to the Ford Center, they would still play three games at the New Orleans Arena in 2005-06, and six games in New Orleans in 2006-07.  During the time the Hornets played at Oklahoma City's Ford Center, now known as Paycom Center, the team enjoyed enthusiastic crowds that were arguably very different than most NBA arenas.  The crowds were described by media in the NBA as "college-like", and very young and vibrant.  The league noticed, and so did potential ownership groups in Oklahoma City.

The Hornets finally moved backed to New Orleans at the beginning of the 2007-08 season, going back to the name "New Orleans Hornets".  The Hornets once again played at New Orleans Arena, now the Smoothie King Center.  The franchise would remain the Hornets until the end of the 2012-13 season, when the team would rebrand as the New Orleans Pelicans for the beginning of the 2013-14 season. 

Not entirely related, but for those who are interested, the Hornets name was at this point moved back to Charlotte.  After losing the Hornets after the 2001-02 season, the Charlotte Bobcats became an expansion team at the beginning of the 2004-05 season.  Once the New Orleans Hornets became the Pelicans at the beginning of the 2013-14 season, the Charlotte Bobcats would become the Hornets one year later for the start of the 2014-15 season.  Yes, the name change happening at the same time proved to make too much sense.  

In all seriousness, and to conclude this confusing sequence of events, it was the beginning of the 2007-08 season and Oklahoma City was left without a team.  The once vibrant crowds of the Ford Center were no more, but the idea of pro basketball in OKC was coming closer and closer to reality.  One year earlier in 2006, an Oklahoma City group led by Clay Bennett purchased the Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm of the WNBA.  It was said that their intention was to keep the team in Seattle if a new arena deal could be reached, but after negotiations with the city of Seattle failed, the ownership group announced relocation plans.  The Seattle Storm would stay put at KeyArena drawing large and boisterous crowds.  The SuperSonics on the other hand, would move to become the Oklahoma City Thunder for the start of the 2008-09 season.

After many strong seasons, both on and and off the court, the Oklahoma City Thunder would finally win an NBA championship in the 2024-25 season.  And so after a series of twists and turns, after a horrible natural disaster, and after five different cities each tried to have a franchise of their own, Oklahoma City finally would have a franchise that is not only known for some of the best fans in the league, but is now world champions.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  Zach also writes SportsBusinessBoston.com and WesternMassSportsBiz.com.

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Fever-Liberty make another historic night for WNBA on ABC

The WNBA continued its upward ratings trend this past Saturday, as the Indiana Fever-New York Liberty game became the third most-watched WNBA telecast ever on ABC. According to Nielsen, the game averaged 2.2 million viewers, peaking at an impressive 2.8 million viewers. The nationally televised contest not only showcased star Caitlin Clark, but also served as a testament to the league’s rapidly rising popularity.

Saturday's viewership numbers represent a significant 76 percent increase over last season’s WNBA on ABC regular season average. Across the ESPN family of networks, WNBA ratings are up 14 percent compared to the 2023 season. These year-over-year gains highlight the growing interest in the league and is yet another example of the increasing value of its media rights.

ABC’s success in drawing big audiences for marquee matchups shows the importance of strategic scheduling and high-profile rivalries. With continued investment in broadcast production and growing popularity surrounding young stars, the WNBA is proving that it can deliver strong ratings on network television.

For advertisers and broadcasters, Saturday’s ratings provide even more proof that the WNBA is not just a great product on the court, but also lucrative. As the league looks to future expansion and even more media exposure, growth in viewership will be an important step in the league’s quest to gain fanfare and attention nationwide.

Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System getting the call up from the minors, to be tested in Spring Training

As the connection between technology and pro sports continues to align, Major League Baseball is set to test the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System during Spring Training this year. The system, referred to as ABS, will be implemented as a trial run in 2025.  The goal of ABS is to make ball-strike calls more accurate, giving players the opportunity to challenge certain calls made by the umpire. This marks a major step forward from last season when ABS was tested in Minor League Baseball.  Now the big question will be if ABS can work at the Major League level.  

During its pilot program in the minors, ABS saw plenty of use, with calls being challenged 51 percent of the time.  Each team in Spring Training will be given two challenges per game. The challenge is only lost if the original umpire's call is confirmed by the review.

The process for challenging a call is simple - only the batter, pitcher, or catcher can initiate the challenge. To do so, the player will signal the umpire by tipping their cap or helmet.  While this is a significant step in reducing human error in calling balls and strikes, MLB has also made it clear that there will be no additional challenges allowed during extra innings, keeping the flow of the game intact. In each challenge, a Hawk-Eye camera system will be used to review the call, providing a bird's-eye view of the pitch.

The introduction of ABS represents a major leap into the future of baseball, offering transparency and accuracy in one of the most debated aspects of the game. Similar to how technology changed close calls in tennis, and quickly eliminated linesman within the game, ABS now allows baseball to see a similar step forward within the digital age.  With the implementation of this new technology, there’s hope that this system will create more accurate calls while also keeping the human element of the game intact.

Tubi's Big Game Move: FOX Sports Streams Super Bowl LIX for Free on Network's Tubi Platform

FOX Sports is taking its Super Bowl coverage to new heights by streaming the Big Game on Tubi for the first time ever. For Super Bowl LIX, fans can enjoy the entire FOX broadcast, including the Super Bowl LIX Pregame Show and the first-ever Tubi Red Carpet, all in 4K. This marks a big step forward in FOX’s strategy to promote Tubi, their free streaming platform, to reach wider audiences while showcasing exclusive sports content. Fans will have the opportunity to experience the Super Bowl live, free of charge, across devices, and without the need for authentication.

The latter is extremely important as not requiring authentication will allow anyone, even those without a cable subscription, to watch the Super Bowl this year.  All fans have to do to watch the game on Tubi this year is sign up for a free Tubi account, and the game will be available to stream live in the Tubi app.  No credit card will be required to sign up, lifting a barrier which should increase the amount of fans that can stream the game.

This move continues FOX Sports' trend of using Tubi to expand the reach of its most prestigious sports events. Previously, FOX Sports has used the platform to offer on-demand access to World Cup matches, providing viewers with additional flexibility to catch up on the games after they aired. By streaming high-profile sports events like the Super Bowl on Tubi, FOX is strengthening the platform's position as a key player in the streaming wars, positioning it as a go-to destination for sports fans seeking top-tier content without the subscription fee.

The Tubi Red Carpet, hosted by Olivia Culpo, will offer a live pre-show that delves into the celebrity culture, fashion, and excitement that surround the event. The coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, and fans can also catch up on Super Bowl history, iconic halftime shows, and more through watching the free live NFL Channel on Tubi. With the addition of their free streaming app Tubi, FOX is once again demonstrating its ability to adapt to shifting viewing habits, providing fans with more ways to enjoy the most-watched sports event of the year.

As Pro Bowl enters a new era, NFL scores with key successes from overnight ratings

The 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Skills Show has proved to be a success for the league, drawing over one million viewers and an increase in a key demographic.

The event held Thursday in Orlando, delivered a decent performance in the ratings department, drawing 1.1 million viewers on ESPN. Thursday’s broadcast matched the 2024 Pro Bowl Skills Competition as the most-watched Pro Bowl event since 2018. The event took place at the 60,219-seat Camping World Stadium, steaming on both ESPN+ and NFL+. The increased viewership is a sign of the growing popularity of the event, as the NFL continues to innovate and engage fans with new forms of entertainment leading up to the Super Bowl.

One of the standout metrics from this year’s broadcast was a 7% increase in viewership from the previous year, particularly in the key 18-34 age demographic. This age group, crucial for advertisers and the NFL's long-term fan engagement, demonstrated significant interest in the revamped Pro Bowl experience. The shift from a traditional football game to a skill-based competition has resonated with younger fans, who are likely drawn to the fast-paced, interactive format and the opportunity to see NFL stars compete in a more casual, yet highly entertaining setting.

The Pro Bowl Skills Show saw its ratings peak at 1.4 million viewers between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.  This peak in viewership solidifies the NFL’s strategy to build the Pro Bowl into a more compelling, yearly attraction for fans.

Looking ahead, the Pro Bowl Games will conclude with Day #2 on Sunday, February 2, at 3 p.m. The event will air across multiple platforms, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, Disney XD, and NFL+, ensuring the event reaches a wide and diverse audience. With the success of the Skills Show, the NFL is on the right track in transforming the Pro Bowl into a multi-platform experience that keeps fans engaged while attracting advertisers back to the two-day event.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Over 8,000 fans in attendance for this year’s Classic

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic took place today at the FLA Live Arena, featuring a doubleheader of exciting college basketball action. While the event saw a total attendance of just over 8,000 fans across both games, it’s clear that the energy in the building more than made up for any empty seats. Though the crowd didn’t reach the sell-out mark, those in attendance were vocal, engaged, and provided an electric atmosphere for the teams on the court.

A unique part of this showcase is the different fan bases who make their way from different states with passionate supporters showing up not just for the local teams, but for the overall experience of the event.  The afternoon was a great way for basketball fans in Broward County to get a look at four major Division 1 basketball schools all in one place - a venue that will only be hosting two basketball games all year. 

Despite the less-than-capacity turnout, the crowd’s enthusiasm was a testament to the growing popularity of the event in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. In a market where basketball is constantly competing for attention against other major sports, the Orange Bowl Basketballl Classic stands out as a key fixture on the college hoops calendar.  The atmosphere inside the Amerant Bank Arena for this year’s showcase proved that the passion for basketball in South Florida remains strong and vibrant.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: ESPN TV audience to get a double-header of basketball action

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is getting exceptional live television coverage, with both games broadcasted across the ESPN family of networks. This highly anticipated event is taking place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. As South Florida's premier one-day NCAA basketball showcase, the Orange Bowl Classic brings together four top-tier NCAA Division 1 programs for a thrilling afternoon of basketball action.

The event will feature two exciting matchups. The first game at 2:00 PM will saw the UCF Knights square off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The seven matchup which began at 4:30 PM has Florida State taking on Tulane in a showcase of four major Division 1 schools. Both games are broadcast live, with UCF vs. Tulsa available on ESPNU and Florida State vs. Tulane airing on the ACC Network, ensuring that basketball fans across the country can tune in and enjoy the high-level competition.

In addition to the traditional television broadcasts, the games will also be available for streaming on the ESPN App and ESPN.com. This offers fans the flexibility to watch live from virtually anywhere, as long as they have a subscription to the relevant ESPN networks. With the convenience of digital streaming and wide-reaching television coverage, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic ensures that fans worldwide will stay connected to this exciting event.

With top-tier television broadcasts and widespread accessibility through digital streaming, the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is set to captivate basketball fans across the ESPN audience. The event stands as a highlight of South Florida's sports calendar, offering a first-class showcase for basketball fans across the nation.