The Oklahoma City Thunder will remain in OKC for future generations following Tuesday’s approval of a new arena vote.
71% of voters supported continuing the one-cent tax to pay $850 million for the new arena. Thunder ownership will pay for $50 million of the construction cost.
OKC’s long-term 15-year lease expired earlier this year, which resulted in the Thunder signing a short-term three-year lease that ends in 2026.
Once the new arena is completed, the Thunder will sign a 25-year lease, with it opening by the 2029-30 season at the latest.
As one can imagine, the reaction was euphoric for Thunder fans. Let’s look at some of the best reactions on X, formerly known as Twitter:
Thunder currently have:
#2 seed in the West
25 year old 1st Team All NBA player
2023 ROTY runner up
2024 ROTY favorite
2023 COTY runner up
Deep core of young talent
Most draft picks in the NBA
Upcoming state of the art arena
Agreement to stay in OKC until 2050 pic.twitter.com/sAfosOF6Wv— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) December 13, 2023
Oklahoma City’s proposal that brings a 900 million dollar arena to the city & the Thunder will be PASSED in today’s voting.
The Thunder will be staying in Oklahoma City through 2050 with a new arena coming around 2030. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/FEjU22vjsn
— TF (@ThunderFocus) December 13, 2023
THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARE HERE TO STAY!
SO HAPPY FOR MY OKLAHOMAN FRIENDS!
SO EXCITED TO WATCH THIS TEAM CONTINUE TO GROW!
SO HYPE TO SEE THE NEW ARENA!
ABSOLUTELY ECSTATIC ILL BE SAYING #ThunderUp UNTIL AT LEAST 2050!
A HUGE WIN FOR OKLAHOMA AND SMALL MARKETS!… pic.twitter.com/1GEHiXPvPZ
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) December 13, 2023
A 900 million dollar arena & the Thunder committing to Oklahoma City until at least 2050.
It’s a great day to be an Oklahoman. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/1vnGAM1ED9
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) December 13, 2023
Oklahoma City has officially voted YES to a new arena.
Congratulations, Thunder fans.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) December 13, 2023
BIG. LEAGUE. CITY. The Thunder will remain in OKC until at least 2050. pic.twitter.com/Wzwpj7FTiQ
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) December 13, 2023
Commitment for the Thunder to stay in OKC through 2050 is an incredible thing
Especially with this current team just scratching the surface.
Great day in Oklahoma City history
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) December 13, 2023
The people have spoken
70% of Oklahoma City has voted YES to build a $900 million stadium and solidify the Thunder franchise in OKC for the next generation
So many moments have happened here the last 16 years. Here’s to the next 16 years #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/h6sl3ZTCkN
— Topic: Thunder Podcast (@OKCTopicThunder) December 13, 2023
Adam Silver on OKC voting for a new arena:
“A signature of the Oklahoma City Thunder, beyond the team’s success on the floor, has been their deep connection to their fans and their community. This vote for a new arena is another example of that bond.”
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) December 13, 2023
Mayor David Holt: “Today was OKC versus the world. And we won.”
The Thunder has committed to play in Oklahoma City through the mid 2050s. https://t.co/OJjrBlyFEg
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) December 13, 2023
By 2050, the Thunder will have been in OKC longer than the Sonics were in Seattle
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 13, 2023
#Thunder owner Clay Bennett just sent out this statement. pic.twitter.com/Cdcm83gt6a
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) December 13, 2023
Hey @nickforok. If I sent you a jar would you fill it up with your tears? I want to sprinkle them all over the new arena the night of the first game. Thx. Be well.
— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) December 13, 2023
“We’re disappointed,” says Nick Singer with Buy Your Own Arena.
The belief here at the NO camp is that these number suggest YES will likely win. | @koconews pic.twitter.com/U5vjTNzba6
— Andy Weber (@AndyWKOCO) December 13, 2023
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) December 13, 2023
