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55-757: From 2005 to 2007, the arena also served as the temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA when the Hornets were forced to play games elsewhere following extensive damage to New Orleans Arena and the city of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina . During the two seasons in Oklahoma City, the team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The response from fans while the Hornets played in Oklahoma City

110-525: A $ 409,000 annual supplemental payment in exchange for a transfer of arena naming rights and associated revenue to the Sonics franchise. The franchise move was approved by NBA ownership on April 18, 2008. On August 26, 2010, the franchise, by then renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder , announced that it had begun negotiating naming rights to its home arena with new potential partners. The facility

165-479: A 78% increase. Referring to the fan support in Oklahoma City, Hornets star Chris Paul said that "You get a feeling you're a part of something special"; mayor Mick Cornett said, "My expectations were lofty, but we've exceeded them." All repair work on the New Orleans Arena was finished by March 2006, and a new scoreboard and video displays were added during the process. In June 2006, Shinn stated he

220-513: A full-service restaurant and bar. Several other exclusive dining options are also available at The Pub, a 1,576-square-foot (146.4 m) "Irish Pub" themed bar, and at The Courtside Club, a 6,198-square-foot (575.8 m) restaurant and lounge area, as well as at the Victory Club, Sunset Carvery, and the new Terrace Lounges. On March 4, 2008, the citizens of Oklahoma City passed a $ 121.6 million initiative designed to renovate and expand

275-497: A number of games and events from Oklahoma City University , the University of Oklahoma , and Oklahoma State University along with those from local high schools and post-secondary organizations. It is also used for other events, including major concert tours, conventions, National Hockey League preseason and exhibition games, and notably professional wrestling shows. It hosted the 2007 Big 12 men's basketball tournament for

330-407: A practice court, media broadcast facilities, lighting, and sound, an NBA press room, an onsite NBA and team store, and ticket/staff rooms. It is anticipated that the Oklahoma City Thunder team will lease the new office space. Renovation work on the arena was delayed due to a sales tax receipt shortfall during the 2008–10 economic crisis; eventual tax receipts totaled $ 103.5 million rather than

385-563: A provision that gave Seattle officials one year to solve its arena situation or allow Bennett to seek relocation. After an April 2008 league approval, it was announced on July 2, 2008, that the Sonics franchise would be relocating to Oklahoma City and would play at what was then the Ford Center. The agreement retires the "SuperSonics" moniker, color, and logos, possibly to be used by a future NBA team in Seattle. On September 2, 2008,

440-401: A relocated franchise. Subsequent to the ballot initiative, City officials and Sonics ownership announced a preliminary agreement to move the Sonics franchise to Oklahoma City and the Ford Center. The deal included a provision for $ 1.6 million in annual rents to the city for use of the Ford Center (including marketing rights of luxury seating areas for all NBA and most non-NBA events), and

495-554: Is expected that the refurbishment will turn the Paycom Center into a top-tier NBA facility. Some of the planned upgrades to the Paycom Center include upscale restaurants, clubs, additional suites (including so-called 'bunker suites'), office space, Kid's Zone, additional concessions, flooring upgrades, an integrated video and scoring system from Daktronics , view lounges, and upgraded 'general use' locker rooms. NBA specific amenities include 'NBA ONLY' locker rooms and facilities,

550-483: Is located across the street from the current arena. In December 2023 the city notified Prairie Surf Studios that its lease would not be renewed when it expires on December 31, 2025. Once the new arena has opened, the Paycom Center will likely be converted to some other type of property. Paycom Center is served by the Oklahoma City Streetcar at Arena station . Effect of Hurricane Katrina on

605-459: Is slated to open no later than the opening of the 2029-30 NBA season, and the Thunder have committed to remain in Oklahoma City for 25 years following their move into the new arena. The site of the new arena has not been chosen, but one possible location is already owned by the city. It is the current site of Prairie Surf Studios (formerly Cox Convention Center and Myriad Convention Center), and it

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660-459: The 2008 All-Star Game , in addition to hosting the team for six of their 41 home games during the season. Although guarantees by the league and organization indicated a return for 2007–08, many fans in New Orleans were still skeptical of a permanent return due to the popularity of the team in Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the Hornets opened their season in Oklahoma City with a 26-point win over

715-470: The 2011 NBA lockout . Daequan Cook was set to hit restricted free agency. On December 9, Cook agreed to a two-year, $ 6.5 million deal to re-sign with the Thunder. On December 13, Ryan Reid signed a deal with the Thunder. Reid was originally selected 57th overall in the 2010 NBA draft but did not a sign a contract in the 2010–11 season , instead playing the season with the Tulsa 66ers . On December 24,

770-693: The NBA Finals for the first time since 1996 , when the club was based in Seattle . In the NBA Finals, the Thunder faced off against the Big Three -led Miami Heat , who made an appearance in the previous NBA Finals , but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Despite winning Game 1 in the NBA Finals, the Thunder would then go on to lose the next four games and the NBA Finals against

825-908: The National Basketball Association (NBA). The Thunder continued to build on recent success in previous years by making the NBA Playoffs , first defeating and sweeping the defending NBA champions, the Dallas Mavericks , in four games in the First Round, then defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the Semi-finals, and finally, defeated the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the Western Conference finals to advance to

880-645: The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets . After playing the majority of home games for both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, the Hornets returned to New Orleans for the 2007–08 season . Following the success of the Hornets' tenure in the city, the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City for the 2008–09 season , where they now compete as the Oklahoma City Thunder . As for

935-636: The Pete Maravich Assembly Center or the Rivercenter in Baton Rouge . On September 3, Hornets owner George Shinn stated that the storm would not be used as a reason to permanently relocate the franchise. By September 10, the prospect of securing a Baton Rouge location to host the Hornets was fading as a result of the facilities being utilized for hurricane related relief operations. Numerous cities inquired about hosting

990-660: The Sacramento Kings on November 1, 2005. They played their first game in Louisiana in a loss to the Phoenix Suns on December 21, 2005, and they played the first professional sports event in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina on March 8, 2006, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers . The Hornets completed the 2005–06 season by winning 38 games, tenth in the Western Conference . They became

1045-934: The Heat. Other season highlights included forward Kevin Durant 's third consecutive NBA scoring title, and Durant being named the MVP of the All-Star Game . Following the season, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets . The Thunder had only their own first-round pick entering the draft. The Thunder traded their 2011 second-round pick in the Latavious Williams trade with the Miami Heat back in 2010. The Thunder ended 2011 NBA draft night with Boston College guard Reggie Jackson . On December 13,

1100-565: The Hornets arguably gave Oklahoma City the edge it needed to land on the radar of professional sports. Long being considered by many as too small to host a major-league team for a variety of reasons, support for the Hornets during their two-year stay caught the attention of the NBA and other sports leagues. Attendance for Hornets games at the Paycom Center (then known as the Ford Center) averaged 18,716 fans in 2005–06 (36 games) and 17,951 fans (35 games) in 2006–07. David Stern

1155-461: The Hornets averaged an attendance of 15,574. During the 2008 All-Star Game, the NBA donated $ 5 million towards relief work, and staged an NBA Cares program throughout the city to help rebuilding efforts. 2011%E2%80%9312 Oklahoma City Thunder season The 2011–12 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 4th season of the franchise's existence in Oklahoma City as a member of

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1210-627: The Hornets finalized a move to Oklahoma City, where 35 games would be played at the Ford Center , as well as six in Baton Rouge at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Additionally, it was announced that three of the games in March could be moved to New Orleans if the arena repairs were complete. At the same time, the NBA also announced the team would be referred to officially as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, and that

1265-531: The Hornets franchise, they changed their name to the Pelicans in 2013, paving the way for a return of the Hornets name to its original home of Charlotte, North Carolina , where it replaced the Bobcats name one year later. Because of the extensive damage resulting from the hurricane, where the Hornets would play for the 2005–06 season came into question. Although the New Orleans Arena suffered only slight damage,

1320-572: The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. After the city of New Orleans , and surrounding area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the NBA reached a deal with the City of Oklahoma City which allowed the New Orleans Hornets franchise to temporarily move to the Paycom Center (then known as the Ford Center). The New Orleans Hornets leased the facility for the 2005–06 season and exercised

1375-622: The New Orleans Hornets Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, and caused extensive damage to the New Orleans Arena . As a result, the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s New Orleans Hornets were unable to play any home games at the Arena for both the entire 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, and temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , to become

1430-525: The Paycom Center and to build a practice facility for the relocated Seattle SuperSonics team which is now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Financing consists of a temporary 15-month, 1-cent sales tax that will be paid by Oklahoma City residents and shoppers beginning January 1, 2009. The city held the temporary tax initiative in March 2008 to facilitate the relocation of the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics or another relocation franchise. It

1485-726: The Thunder traded Robert Vaden , a 2012 second-round pick and a 2013 second-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Lazar Hayward . Presti said on Hayward that his "toughness, length, and shooting are attributes that will add depth to our roster." On December 19, the Thunder traded Byron Mullens to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for a 2013 second-round pick. Mullens only played in 26 games over two seasons being stuck behind Kendrick Perkins , Nazr Mohammed and Cole Aldrich . For this offseason, free agency began on December 9, 2011, due to

1540-460: The arena if a professional sports team announced it would relocate to the city. A plan for such buildout improvements began in 2007 in the wake of the acquisition of the Seattle SuperSonics by an Oklahoma-City-based ownership group in October 2006. Originally, city officials had hoped to include Oklahoma City Arena buildout improvements as part of a planned 2009 "MAPS 3" initiative. However, given

1595-599: The arena on January 12, 2013, with the Strikeforce: Champions event. The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) held a Premier Series event at the venue from 2002 through 2006, and again from 2009 through 2022. In 2007 and 2008, the PBR's Challenger Tour Finals event was held there. In 2022 and 2023, Paycom Center was the home venue of the PBR's Oklahoma Freedom during the PBR Team Series season held in

1650-599: The conclusion of that night's games. This incident would eventually result in the cancellation of all sports events throughout North America and the rest of the world, as the COVID-19 outbreak had been declared as a pandemic by WHO earlier that day. The arena has hosted many WWE events such as Raw , SmackDown , and Unforgiven 2005 . Raw came to the Chesapeake Energy Arena on September 25, 2006, and March 1, 2010, with Cheech & Chong appearing as

1705-413: The deal reached with Oklahoma City would allow for the team to return for the 2006–07 season, if necessary. In order to allow for a full recovery of the New Orleans market in the wake of the storm, the NBA announced on January 31, 2006, that the Hornets would remain in Oklahoma City for the 2006–07 season and return for the 2007–08 season . The league also announced that New Orleans would play host for

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1760-606: The evening's guest hosts . During the show on September 25, 2006, the opening of the show suffered a blackout, but lights were restored shortly after the night began. On September 16, 2009, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Oklahoma with UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard for the first time since UFC 4 , which was at the Expo Square Pavilion in Tulsa on December 16, 1994. A mixed martial arts event returned to

1815-534: The first team since the 1974–75 Boston Celtics to play home games at four separate venues: the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, and the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The Hornets had finished last in attendance in the previous season in New Orleans, but playing in Ford Center , they averaged 18,168 fans,

1870-563: The first time in 2007 (with the 2007 Big 12 women's basketball tournament held across the street at Cox Convention Center ). The venue has hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Round on several occasions (including 2010 and 2016 ) and is the permanent host of the All-College Basketball Classic. It hosted the 2009 Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament. In March 2014, the arena played host to

1925-596: The flooding surrounding the area made it impossible to use. With the training camp scheduled to begin on October 4, the team announced that the first three weeks of camp would be held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado , instead of their usual location, Alario Center in Westwego . Additionally the team stated that they wanted to play home games within Louisiana , at either

1980-469: The franchise for the season, including Kansas City , Louisville , Nashville , Oklahoma City and San Diego . During this period, Oklahoma City announced that it was the favored choice to serve as the temporary home of the franchise, although by mid-September SMG announced that the New Orleans arena could potentially be ready for occupancy by the All-Star Game break. However, by late September

2035-468: The impending relocation decision of the Sonics ownership group in late 2007, the City Council of Oklahoma City placed a sales tax initiative on the city election ballot on March 4, 2008. This initiative was passed by a 62% to 38% margin, and extended a prior one-cent sales tax for 15 months to fund $ 121 million in budgeted improvements to the arena, as well as fund a separate practice facility for

2090-422: The improvement program, the tax was only assessed inside city limits. Originally billed and marketed as a "state-of-the-art" facility, Oklahoma City Arena was actually constructed to minimum NBA and NHL specifications. The arena was built without luxury amenities because of local concerns about expenditures on an arena without a major-league tenant, with the ability to create "buildout" amenities and improvements to

2145-482: The last four games and the championship to the Heat. On March 11, 2020, a game between the Thunder and the Utah Jazz that was to be held at the arena was initially postponed after Jazz center Rudy Gobert was placed on the injury list due to an illness. After it was learned that Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 , the NBA announced that the remainder of the 2019–20 season would be suspended immediately following

2200-421: The naming rights for the arena for a 15-year period, renaming it Paycom Center. Basketball seating capacity at the arena has adjusted with the venue configuration: The 581,000-square-foot (54,000 m) facility seats up to 19,711 on three seating levels with a fourth added during concerts and features 3,380 club seats, seven party suites, and 49 private suites. It also features The OLD NO. 7 Club,

2255-542: The ongoing negotiation for the naming rights for the arena, and because of its failed negotiation with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers, it was announced that the arena would be called the Oklahoma City Arena . The new name was used temporarily until naming rights were settled. On July 22, 2011, a 12-year naming rights partnership between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chesapeake Energy Corporation

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2310-411: The option with the city to extend for the 2006–07 season. The arena acquired a $ 200,000 renovation (primarily to lighting and sound) as part of the Hornets' lease. During this time, the team was known as the "New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets", giving Oklahoma City credit for hosting the 'home team'. The Hornets played their last game in Oklahoma City on October 9, 2007, a preseason game. The hosting of

2365-406: The plans for the Thunder's separate practice facility, for a total cost savings of approximately $ 14 million. The Thunder's practice facility completion date was similarly pushed back to approximately March 2011. In September 2023, a new round of renovations came to the arena, including a new 28,000-pound scoreboard with wraparound video display that cost $ 7.5 million. The Paycom Center hosts

2420-423: The previous season by one game, and again finished tenth in the Western Conference, three games out of the playoffs . Their attendance declined slightly compared to the previous season, and they finished 15th overall in attendance. The Hornets made their permanent return to New Orleans on October 31, 2007, when they defeated the Sacramento Kings 109–90 to open the 2007–08 season. In the following two seasons,

2475-418: The projected $ 121 million. The shortfall was accommodated by revising plans for certain features of the arena expansion project, including limiting the size of a new glass entryway, and eliminating a practice court planned for above the delivery entrance of the arena. Major construction work on the arena expansion was also delayed from the summer of 2010 to the summer of 2011. Similar revisions were made to

2530-436: The start of the Thunder's 2011–12 season . The company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 28, 2020, with a debt of $ 9 billion, with the effect on the arena's naming rights not then known. However, on April 20, 2021, the company terminated the deal as part of its corporate restructuring. The arena retained its name during the Thunder's search for a new sponsor. On July 27, 2021, it was announced that Paycom would acquire

2585-486: The state's Ford dealerships , rather than the Ford Motor Company itself. The facility was the premier component of the city's 1993 Capital Improvement Program, known as Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), which financed new and upgraded sports, entertainment, cultural, and convention facilities primarily in the downtown section with a temporary 1-cent sales tax assessed. Despite the "metropolitan" moniker of

2640-400: The street. The initial term of the 2008 use license agreement with the Oklahoma City Thunder expired in 2023. The Thunder exercised an option to extend the agreement for three years to allow time for the city to develop plans for a new arena. On December 12, 2023, Oklahoma City voters approved a 72-month extension of a one-cent sales tax to build a new, publicly owned downtown arena. This arena

2695-614: The summer and autumn. In 2024, the Freedom moved to Florida and Oklahoma acquired a new team, the Wildcatters. Said team now call Paycom Center home. The Center held the 2015 North American Youth Congress (NAYC) of the United Pentecostal Church International . The event sold out the arena, requiring the neighboring Cox Convention Center to be used as overflow with video streamed from across

2750-533: The team announced they would be called the Oklahoma City Thunder . The Thunder have been a playoff mainstay since arriving in Oklahoma. Chesapeake Energy Arena hosted playoff games every year between 2010 and 2014, as well as 2016. In 2012, the arena became host of the NBA Finals for the only time to date, when the Thunder went up against the Miami Heat for the league championship. The Thunder won Game 1 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in convincing fashion, but lost

2805-407: Was an impetus to the city being discussed prior to 2008 for the location of a future NBA team, either by relocation or expansion . The Paycom Center is owned by the City of Oklahoma City and was opened on June 8, 2002, three years after construction began. The original Ford Center name came from a naming rights deal with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers group which represented the marketing efforts of

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2860-420: Was announced. The agreement had an initial annual cost of $ 3 million with a 3% annual escalation. As part of the deal, the arena was renamed Chesapeake Energy Arena. Also, Chesapeake Energy was allowed to place its branding throughout the building, on prominent premium places on the high-definition scoreboard, and on new state-of-the-art interior and exterior digital signs. Most of the new signs were in place before

2915-447: Was called the Ford Center and signage throughout the building remained intact during the negotiation period. The Thunder previously had discussions with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers; however, a new agreement could not be reached. As a result of the failed negotiation with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers, the Thunder decided to terminate the existing naming rights agreement, which was allowed under the original contract. On October 21, 2010, because of

2970-507: Was pleased with the ongoing recovery process in New Orleans and again reaffirmed his desire to permanently return for the 2007–08 season. However, the Hornets also announced that they were in the process of negotiating with Oklahoma City to play the 2007–08 season at the Ford Center as a contingency plan. The Hornets opened the 2006–07 season at New Orleans with a win over the Boston Celtics . They improved their final record from

3025-532: Was quoted as stating that "Oklahoma City was at the top of the relocation list of cities" and during the Hornets' last home game he all but assured local fans that "I look forward to the day that the NBA will return to Oklahoma City." Oklahoma City billionaire investor Clay Bennett of the Professional Basketball Club LLC purchased the Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm franchises from Howard Schultz in 2006. The deal included

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