OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 19: Fans cheer during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs ... [+]
In 2002, the Ford Center opened in Downtown Oklahoma City. The structure itself initially cost $82.9 million and would be one of the best investments the city has ever made. Used as a concert venue and home arena for small ice hockey and arena football teams, little did we know one day it would house a highly successful NBA franchise.
From 2005-2007, the Ford Center was also home to the New Orleans Hornets and current Thunder player Chris Paul in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After being extremely successful hosting the Hornets in Oklahoma City, it then became an option for the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics.
In the 2008-09 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder were born. At this time, the city passed a $121.6 million initiative to renovate and expand the Chesapeake Energy Arena as well as build a practice facility for the team.
After just three seasons of the Thunder playing their home games in the Ford Center, it would get a new name. Chesapeake Energy signed a contact for the naming rights for the arena in Oklahoma City back in 2011. This was a 12-year naming rights deal that costed $3 million for the initial season and increased by three percent each year after that.
The first season Oklahoma City would play in the new Chesapeake Energy Arena was the 2011-12 NBA season. Chesapeake Energy will continue to own the naming rights through the 2022-23 season.
For this upcoming 2019-20 NBA season in Oklahoma City, fans will have more renovations to look forward to at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The City of Oklahoma City goes in depth on some of the major upgrades with photos, including:
- New 34x19 foot expanded center-hung video and scoreboard (nearly twice original size)
- Second level outdoor patio
- Expanded 10,000 square foot interior fan gathering space
- Renovated concourse with expanded views into the seating bowl
- New food and beverage concepts
- New team shop and box office
- Expanded main concourse
- New, diverse food court
- Loud city fan zone
- Upgraded home and visitor locker rooms
- New seats
- New elevators
The Oklahoma City Thunder have completely changed the landscape of the city. The local economy of Oklahoma City as well as the morale of its residents have skyrocketed. With the in-state rivalry between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University running higher than ever, Oklahomans finally were able to rally together and cheer for a common cause.
With a brand new roster and coaching staff, the next era of Oklahoma City Thunder is underway. Thunder fans will have a newly renovated arena to gather at to cheer on their hometown team next season and beyond.
