So it's looking like Chesapeake Arena is going to be renamed, and this is not a joke:
Love's Travel Stop Arena.
After the dirty truck stops. Seriously. This makes the entire state look stupid.
The original MAPS was funded by a five-year, one-cent sales tax passed by Oklahoma City voters in December 1993. The initiative called for the renovation and/or construction of nine major projects in Oklahoma City’s central business district.
The $350 million sales tax-funded initiative was created to revitalize Downtown, improve Oklahoma City’s national image and provide new and upgraded cultural, sports, recreation, entertainment and convention facilities. Projects were built debt free meaning construction did not start until
until the sales taxes were collected.
In 1993, the MAPS sales tax passed with 54 percent of the vote.
June 1996 thru April 1999 the Ballpark, State Fair Park, Myriad convention center, Bricktown canal, State Fair park, Civic Center Music Hall
and North Canadian River Dams were in various stages of construction.
1997 Oklahoma City's failed bid to attract an NHL expansion franchise.
May 1999, the arena construction begins after voters passed a 6 month extension to finish all MAPS projects.
2005–2007 Oklahoma City hosted the New Orleans Hornets for 2 seasons following Hurricane Katrina:
2005-2006 - Attendance: 18,168
2006-2007 - Attendance: 17,833
2007 Oklahoma City voters approved Ford Center renovations...
2008–09 Supersonics relocate to Oklahoma City
2008-2009 - Attendance: 18,693
2009-2010 - Attendance: 18,003
2011-20012 - Thunder secures a 12-year naming rights agreement valued at $34 million that was set at $3 million for the first season with 3% annual increases for the remainder of the term.
2016 - Aubrey McClendon's death, March 2, 2016, minority owner with The Professional Basketball Club LLC
2019 - The Oklahoma City Thunder have announced a multi-year jersey patch partnership with Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
worth $10 million and as high as $40 million according to one source--deal expires in 2023. Thunder will display a 2.5-by-2.5-inch inch logo on all of their jerseys, including all jerseys sold inside of the arena. Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores has more than 480 locations in 41 different states across the country.
2019-2020 - Chesapeake Energy Company files for bankruptcy...
2021 - Thunder seeks new naming rights agreement.
All hints of arena naming rights point to OKC billionaires Tom & Judy Love (Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores) who are avid Thunder fans. No official announcement at this time.
Swake, have you heard anything official at this time... ...we haven't heard anything official other than pure speculation.