THE NBA-WATCHING world is well aware of the special bond that exists between the Thunder and its loyal (and loud!) fans. That connection developed instantly, when -- just weeks after the announcement the team would be playing in Oklahoma City in the 2008-09 season -- “sold out” covers were placed over the seats in the arena at a rapid rate; when inclimate weather offered an excuse to stay home but your resiliency said otherwise; when tragedies struck and you came together with donations, volunteer hours and participation in auctions; and how you proudly stand until the home team scores. It is a relationship we cherish and never take for granted.
Bitter Cold, Snow No Match for Fans
I’m showing we had a little more than 3,500 people attend the 1.26.09 game against the New Jersey Nets. It was 18 degrees and we ended up getting about two inches of snow on top of already icy streets. The game was going to be played regardless of conditions. The Nets and the referees were already in town, having arrived the night before. As backwards as it sounds, we were hoping no fans would show up purely for safety reasons. But then people started showing up, more and more. When we asked people why they came, the most common response was, “We wouldn’t miss this!,” which really summed up the thoughts on the whole season.Although it was incredibly cold outside that night, there wasn’t a warmer place in Oklahoma than the Ford Center. -Karlis Kezbers, Director of Business Intelligence and Ticket Strategy
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: BLUE ALLIANCE ROARS
SELECT-A-SEAT: A WEEK LIKE NO OTHER
In July of 2008, the first week that NBA basketball in Oklahoma City was official, 25,000 people called in to show their initial interest in season tickets. In August, a staff of two dozen employees collectively called that massive list to confirm, and the stakes became more serious. On Sept. 3, the name, colors and logo for the Oklahoma City Thunder were made official, and four days later, the season ticket “land run” began.As a part of the organization’s Select A Seat event during that second week of September, thousands of fathers, mothers and children waited in line during normal work and school hours for the once in a lifetime opportunity to become Thunder season ticket members.The event was scheduled to last seven days, but the rate of people who ultimately said “yes” to season tickets was so high that all of the seats available were sold out in just five days. People signed three- to five-year contracts on single seats in the club level and families were staking their claim to as many as six tickets at a time, completely blowing away conventional wisdom on fan behavior.As the final day of seat selection wore down, the “Seat is Claimed” covers had turned the arena white, and the last of the fans took photos at center court to commemorate the unforgettable moment. One family remained up at the top of Loud City, picking their seats. When their seat covers dropped, a slow clap began from the court level, as the franchise’s first employees celebrated a whirlwind week to help make NBA fans’ dreams come true and to birth the first generation of Thunder faithful. -Kyle Cofer, Premium Sales Manager
Photo by OKC Thunder
Photo by OKC Thunder
Photo by OKC Thunder
Photo by OKC Thunder
