Oklahoma City Thunder
On the 4th of July 2016, Kevin Durant announced he was joining the Golden State Warriors. This decision followed a complex legal battle that began in 2008 when Seattle SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett sought to move his franchise to Oklahoma City. The city of Seattle sued Bennett for attempting to break the final two years of the team's lease at KeyArena. A federal court settlement reached nearly a month later awarded Seattle $45 million to exit the remaining lease agreement. The terms also provided an additional $30 million payment if certain conditions were met by 2013. Bennett agreed to leave the SuperSonics name, logo, colors, and records in Seattle for a possible future NBA franchise. However, all championship banners and trophies remained the property of the Oklahoma City team until a new Seattle team arrived. On the 3rd of September 2008, the public learned the new team would be called the Thunder. The name referenced Oklahoma's location in Tornado Alley and the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division, known as the Thunderbirds. The SuperSonics' final draft occurred in 2008, using the fourth overall pick to select Russell Westbrook from UCLA.
In the 2010, 11 season, the Thunder finished with a 55, 27 record, securing their first division title since moving to Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant scored 41 points in game one against the Denver Nuggets during that playoff series. He matched that score again in the final game of the series while Serge Ibaka recorded nine blocks. The team advanced to the Western Conference finals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks four games to one. In the 2011, 12 season, the Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs in six games to reach the NBA Finals. They faced the Miami Heat and won the first game at home before losing four consecutive games to lose the series four games to one. During the 2012, 13 season, the Thunder finished with a 60, 22 regular season record. They took both the Northwest division title and the top seed of the Western Conference. Russell Westbrook collided with Patrick Beverley in game two of the playoffs and missed the rest of the postseason after knee surgery. Without his second-leading scorer, the Thunder lost the next two games to bring the series to three games to two. They eventually lost the series four games to one to the Memphis Grizzlies.
On the 10th of July 2019, general manager Sam Presti traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers. In return, they received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a collection of future draft picks. On the 6th of August 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year maximum contract extension worth $172 million. During the 2023, 24 season, the Thunder clinched a playoff berth on the 31st of March 2024, after defeating the New York Knicks 113, 112. They finished with a record of 57 wins and 25 losses, securing the top seed in the Western Conference. Mark Daigneault won Coach Of The Year Award as the team swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. In the 2024, 25 season, the Thunder set a franchise record for total wins at 61 on the 27th of March 2025. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA's most valuable player in May 2025. He also made the All-NBA first team while Jalen Williams made the All-NBA third team. The Thunder advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City.
The Ford Center opened on the 8th of June 2002, at a cost of $89.2 million without luxury accommodations initially. A city ballot initiative approved by a 62 percent margin on the 4th of March 2008, extended a one-cent sales tax for 15 months to fund $101 million in budgeted improvements. Renovation work was delayed by the 2008, 10 economic crisis which reduced the city's revenue from sales taxes. Revised plans limited the size of a new glass entryway and eliminated a practice court to accommodate the shortfall. Major construction work on the arena expansion was delayed from summer 2010 to summer 2011. Seating capacity stands at 18,203 for professional NBA basketball games. On the 27th of July 2021, Paycom acquired naming rights for the arena for a 15-year period. On the 12th of September 2023, Oklahoma City announced plans to build a new downtown arena costing at least $900 million with an estimated 2029 opening. In a December 2023 referendum, voters agreed to pay for at least $850 million of the stadium while the team would contribute $50 million.
During the 2012 NBA
Finals, sportswriter Bill Simmons published a piece noting the unusual enthusiasm of the city for its team. He speculated that the Oklahoma City bombing played a major part in the team's culture. Thunder general manager Sam Presti has every new player visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Players are encouraged to look into the stands and consider that many fans were personally affected by the event. The team is the only franchise from Oklahoma City or the state of Oklahoma in one of the nation's four major leagues. According to ticket industry sources, only five percent of tickets to the 2012 NBA conference finals listed for sale on secondary market sites like StubHub were for Thunder home games. For every ticket listed for a Thunder home game in the 2012 NBA Finals, ten tickets for Heat home games were listed. The slogan Thunder Up was prominently displayed on T-shirts during the 2012 playoffs. During the 2023, 24 season, the Thunder ranked 23rd out of 30 teams in per-game attendance while filling under 96 percent of their arena on average.
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Common questions
When did the Oklahoma City Thunder officially change their name from the Seattle SuperSonics?
The public learned that the new team would be called the Thunder on the 3rd of September 2008. This decision followed a legal battle where owner Clay Bennett agreed to leave the SuperSonics name, logo, colors, and records in Seattle for a possible future NBA franchise.
Who won the first championship for the Oklahoma City Thunder after moving to Oklahoma City?
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City during the 2024, 25 season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the most valuable player in May 2025 while the team set a franchise record for total wins at 61 on the 27th of March 2025.
What is the seating capacity of the arena used by the Oklahoma City Thunder for professional basketball games?
Seating capacity stands at 18,203 for professional NBA basketball games inside the facility formerly known as the Ford Center. The venue acquired naming rights from Paycom on the 27th of July 2021 for a 15-year period before plans were announced to build a new downtown arena costing at least $900 million with an estimated 2029 opening.
How did the Oklahoma City Thunder acquire Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and what contract did he sign?
General manager Sam Presti traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers on the 10th of July 2019 to receive Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and future draft picks. On the 6th of August 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year maximum contract extension worth $172 million.
Why does the Oklahoma City Thunder encourage players to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial?
Sportswriter Bill Simmons speculated that the Oklahoma City bombing played a major part in the team's culture following the unusual enthusiasm shown during the 2012 NBA Finals. General manager Sam Presti has every new player visit the memorial so they can consider that many fans were personally affected by the event.