This Tulsa

The Tulsa 66ers announced last week they would now be the NBA developmental team for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Seattle SuperSonics starting in the 2008-09 season. The marriage of the SuperSonics with the 66ers seems a natural fit considering the Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City within the next two years. Of course the move is contingent on the outcome of an ongoing legal battle between the city of Seattle and the new ownership of the Sonics, headed by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett. Regardless of the ruling, the team is headed to Oklahoma City, it’s just a matter of when. Along with the new affiliation, the 66ers will soon have a new home. Starting in November the team will be moving into the new SpiritBank Event Center located at 101st and Memorial in South Tulsa. They currently play at the fairground in the Expo Square Pavilion.

All this bodes well for both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. In order for the Sonics’ move to Oklahoma City to be successful, the entire state will have to support it, not just OKC. With only 90 miles separating the two largest cities in Oklahoma, Tulsa should have no problem helping support the team. Also, by adding another affiliate to the 66ers, this means more NBA level talent will be passing through Tulsa on their way to “the show.”