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Oklahoma City ready for the big leagues
Residents say the Oklahoma capital has all the trappings of a big-league market--except a big-league sports team. But after Ford Center became the home arena for the New Orleans Hornets for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina, station managers believe they showed the market was ready for its own NBA franchise. When the Seattle SuperSonics were purchased by Oklahoma City billionaire Clay Bennett last year, local hoops fans' dreams became that much more of a reality, though Seattle is trying to keep the team right where it is.
Moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City "would help elevate us to a big-time city," says KWTV VP/General Manager Rob Krier. With storied college teams from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, a pro franchise would give Oklahoma City's newsrooms even more to report on.
Station managers say...