Oklahoma City voters approve tax for $900 million arena to keep NBA’s Thunder through 2050

OKLAHOMA CITY Voters in Oklahoma City adopted a 1% sales tax on Tuesday,

which will be in place for six years and help pay for the NBA team’s new

downtown arena—which is projected to cost at least $900 million.

 

According to the Oklahoma State Election Board, 71% of city voters were in favor of the proposal.

 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a statement that the vote is an

illustration of the bond that exists between the team, supporters, and the city.

As we enter a new era of international sports and entertainment, Silver

expressed gratitude to the people of Oklahoma City for their support of the Thunder and the NBA.

 

The Thunder commit to remaining in Oklahoma City through at least 2050 as part of the agreement.

The ownership group of the Thunder has agreed to provide $50 million towards

the building of the new facility. The agreement also stipulates that

improvements to the current Paycom arena would cost $70 million and would

be financed by a sales tax that voters approved in 2019.

 

Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City and representatives of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce firmly

supported the idea, stating that the Thunder’s continued existence is

essential to the city’s expansion and economic development.

After the voting, Holt released a written statement saying, “We told the nation, we

told the world, that Oklahoma City is and shall remain a Big League City.”

 

The city’s sales tax rate will not change because the sales tax will take effect on April 1, 2028, the day the current sales

tax expires. Although the precise location is yet unknown, the agreement stipulates

that the arena must open in time for the NBA season of 2029–2030.

 

The proposal’s opponents, Oklahoma Progress Now, stated that the result “reflects the democratic voice of

Oklahoma City, though not what we hoped for.”

Additionally against the proposed sales tax and the letter of intent with the

Thunder owners were council members Nikki Nice and JoBeth Hamon.

 

On the social networking site X, which was formerly known as Twitter, Hamon posted, “This deal was negotiated from a

position of fear and scarcity, which benefits those who are wealthy, while the

benefits never trickle down to regular folks.”

Additionally, a group of over 25 local experts advised voters to vote “no” on the arena, claiming that it would not significantly affect economic growth and that it would come with price limitations.

 

2008 saw the NBA team, formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics, relocate to Oklahoma City.

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