A friend said that the OKC Ford Dealers have yet to sponsor the team and if that remains the case, there could be a new name for the arena. I don't know the entire truth behind this but if it's the case, then I say it should be renamed to be known as the SONIC CENTER...
The agreement with the the dealers provides the naming contract is immediately up for renegotiation should an NBA or NHL become an official tenant. The lease agreement (already signed) with the NBA team provides that they get all of the proceeds from any additional naming rights revenue, save the amount already being paid to the City. Therefore, they can go out and re-sell the arena's name (with the city having some veto power), so long as the city gets the same value. The name is already in play. The Ford dealers get first right of refusal, but if someone out-bids them, it is the Ford Center no more. The Ford dealers association paid plenty for the current deal, but lucked into an unforseen amazing situation with the Hornets playing there. They got far more exposure than they paid for. They won't be able to pay the kind of money that will be required to keep their name on the building. The only way they could pull it off is if they involve Ford Motor Company, which might be tough. As successful as they are, I can't imagine that Sonic could pony up at that level, either. My guess is that the building ends up with a different name.
Getting an apparently "national" name out of a sponsorship with a local consortium is small-time, anyway. **** 'em.
actually, i'd work it the other way. Ford goes to the "Sonics" ownership group and says we got the money, but the team is called T-Birds or Mustangs. we'd come off looking stupid corporate shil, but who doesn't these days? i personally prefer Barons.
